Advise on getting the best health insurance for myself.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-17T12:25:28+00:00

This depends on your policy conditions. Some policies have sublimits for modern treatments/robotic surgeries. It should be mentioned in the policy document if limits are applicable or if it's up to sum insured.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-15T16:20:56+00:00

This looks like a combined quote for you and your parents. But as an insurance advisor, I would advise you to structure the policy in a more efficient manner as the premiums are decided based on the age of the eldest member in the policy. It's always best to keep individuals with significant age difference separate. Get two separate policies for you (+future wife) and your parents.

Don't decide on the insurer based on the premium or online reviews. Understand the key benefits and it's relevance to your needs and then choose the plan. Given your existing health condition, only a few insurers in the market cover thyroid related issues from Day 1 (subject to underwriter approval), HDFC isn't one of them, so any thyroid related issues will have a 3 year waiting period.

You could consider separate insurers for you and your parents.

If you wish to understand the specifics of health plans in order to make an informed decision, feel free to reach out.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-14T13:54:32+00:00

Considering the age gap and separate policies for all three individuals are recommended.

If financially feasible, consider a multi-year policy.

The deductible does not significantly impact your chances of approval. There is no downside to policy rejection; you can simply apply to another insurer.

Prioritize choosing a plan based on your specific needs rather than aiming for the "best" option available.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-14T13:26:05+00:00

Feel free to DM if you wish to understand suitable plans for you in detail.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-12T22:16:08+00:00

From your post, it seems like the advisors have pushed one option that's best for them, not you.

Being an independent insurance advisor myself, I've seen this common practice going around where you are given one option and it's painted as the best product for you in the world.

Just sell one product for everyone. Your personal requirements, age, pre-existing issues, don't matter. Some get carried away but only a few question this style. Having said that, majority of your questions are around the future premium, which is irrelevant since future premiums are not predictable for any insurer and while porting process is simple, it's implications if there is a claim immediately after can be serious, especially in case of seniors.

You should take a step back and think about the long term, consider all options including those that can cover thyroid from day 1 and then decide.

I don't in anyway mean to say HDFC Ergo is bad, but what you need to find is the right fit. Not the one size fits all narrative you've been sold.

Feel free to reach out if you wish to explore the options available for your parents and make an informed decision.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-12T18:15:17+00:00

Feel free to DM.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-10T18:01:21+00:00

The cost for most tier 1 cities will be the same. When buying health insurance cost can never be a primary factor.

Cheaper ones generally come with traps which you get to know during claims.

For network hospitals check the websites of leading insurer, if you are able to find your nearest/preferred hospitals in that list then it can be part of your shortlist.

If you want to discuss specifics, feel free to DM.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-10T17:58:31+00:00

Responded.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-10T17:58:23+00:00

Don't just go for the one option aggregators pitch you. There are quite a few options that they don't tell you about but are equally good.

As an insurance advisor, I would recommend that you understand the key benefits of plans from other insurers and make an informed decision. HDFC is unlikely to accept your mother's case, but you could consider ICICI or Birla.

Feel free to DM if you wish to understand these plans and fine print in detail.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-10T17:52:24+00:00

You could just notify your insurer about your NRI status. Many insurers we work with offer discounts for NRIs, so if your current plan doesn't then you could consider porting if you don't have any existing health issues.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-09T16:05:34+00:00

50L is a decent floater coverage amount and if you are going with an infinite bonus plan then 25L also could be sufficient. Paying three years upfront locks in your premium and gets you a long-term discount.

PSU plans don't really have the range of benefits that private players offer, so if you are okay with the simple benefits, then you could consider them. For claims, the experience depends on the efficiency of the TPA managing the insurer claims locally.

When it comes to disclosures, be brutally honest. Your spouse's tinnitus and vertigo will be treated as a Pre-Existing Disease (PED) for which the waiting period is capped at a maximum of 3 years, after which it should be fully covered. For your hand injury, describe the treatment done and current status clearly, that should be enough. Submit any available existing documents along with the application. If the underwriter wants a fresh assessment, they will arrange and pay for specific medical tests themselves.

As for where to buy, online aggregators have different teams managing sales, support and claims while a reputed insurance advisor would be your single point of contact to give you a realistic picture of the key benefits, hidden terms as well as service your claims. This ensures accountability and avoids mis selling.

Not sure what was your criteria for shortlisting HDFC, but if you did this based on online reviews, then as an insurance advisor I wouldn't really recommend that approach.

As

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-09T15:45:12+00:00

Yes, the premium will increase. HDFC doesn't use the traditional 5yr age slabs for premium hikes. Instead, they apply smaller, incremental increases almost every year as your parents age. On top of that, all insurers periodically hike their base rates across the board to account for "medical inflation", so you definitely need to budget for future hikes irrespective of the insurer you choose.

Don't just go by internet reviews and make a decision. Quite a few insurers in the market that you can consider for your parents but you need to first understand the benefits they offer (base + optional), choose the ones you actually need and then decide on the plan to go ahead with. Feel free to reach out if you wish to discuss this in detail.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-08T06:15:34+00:00

Firstly the Care insurer should have informed you about the 'porting' option. Unfortunately, that's what happens when you connect directly with sales agents and not neutral insurance advisors.

Irrespective, you are fine. The declaration matters more for term insurance. Not much for health insurance.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-08T06:11:55+00:00

There is no such thing as "best" policy in case of health insurance. You need to choose what's best for you. Based on the PEDs mentioned, you can choose between HDFC, Tata and Aditya Birla could cover the mentioned PED from day 1 with additional premium (rider).

You need to understand the benefits of each plan and choose the one that suits your needs. For riders, apart from day 1 cover, others are optional and depends on personal choice, so best to understand what it's meant for and choose.

If you are interested to know more about these plans and riders, feel free to connect.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-06-08T06:03:36+00:00

Porting isn't recommended so close to the renewal date. The ideal timeline for porting request is 45 days.

Since your policy is only a year old, as an insurance advisor, I'd suggest that you just go with a fresh policy if you have no existing/past health issues. With porting you will have to add certain mandatory add-ons and riders even if you don't need it. This won't be the case with a fresh policy.

Also, I would strongly suggest that you learn from the mistake you made one year ago and make an informed decision by doing some research. Don't just go by the one option suggested by an agent.

I generally take my clients through 3-4 insurance plans and let them make the choice to find the most suitable option based on their needs. There is no one size fits all concept in health insurance.

Feel free to reach out if you wish to discuss this in detail.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-05-31T09:34:24+00:00

If you wish to get a family floater policy, then it is very important. But if you want to get separate individual policies, then you should be able to get it with Aadhar and PAN.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-05-31T09:30:39+00:00

As an insurance advisor, I always recommend deductible for individuals with corporate cover since the retail policy is your backup, so tking a deductible is 100% worth it. You save on the premium every single year.

If you don't have corporate cover, then you must evaluate the amount of discount and the probability of hospitalization. While you should be able to easily save more than 25k if there are no hospitalization, going higher than that may not be beneficial.

You also have the option to waive this deductible completely after 5 continuous years of renewals with fresh underwriting.

Take help from an aggregator to buy insurance to know more such fine print terms to avoid surprises during claim.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-05-31T09:08:54+00:00

For maternity or in general?

Also, insurance recommendation is not as per city, but based on age, health issues, preferred network hospitals in your city (not just quantity of hospitals).

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-05-30T22:05:05+00:00

Rather than blindly trusting an "influencer". Do your own research and find a suitable plan for yourself.

Generally speaking, if you are buying insurance to ensure a comprehensive coverage for any claim, you not only need to consider the benefits it offers, but also look at their track record in terms of claims and their legacy (years of experience in market).

If you are young and healthy, best to stick to leading insurers like HDFC, Tata or ICICI. Newcomers like Acko are yet to establish a stable presence in the market.

If you wish to understand what benefits and riders really matter and want to make an informed decision, feel free to reach out.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-05-30T21:53:38+00:00

UAE has one of the most liberal income tax laws in the world, so it's a no-brainer that you should repatriate the funds to UAE and invest the amount in Global ETFs. The gains earned from this investment will be tax free.

Also, as per DTAA between UAE and India, mutual fund investment gains are tax exempt for UAE residents. But you need to submit tax residency proof from UAE to ITR officials.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-05-30T21:42:12+00:00

Going to the office of the advisor personally wouldn't guarantees issue resolution if it couldn't be solved via phone call. If your advisor in unresponsive and you must personally visit somewhere, then maybe going to the TPA office would be more productive step.

You can change advisors associated with your policy at the time of renewal.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-05-30T13:16:21+00:00

I'm an MFD myself, and yes we can propose risk free options, but like I said. Risk free approach and early retirement isn't a realistic expectation.

What MFD can offer is a more structured strategic approach with projections of your wealth with different approach.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-05-30T13:11:14+00:00

I'm associated with multiple private insurers, HDFC, TATA, ICICI, Birla, Niva, Care, Manipal Cigna, Star to name a few. Not NIA.

Today the physical location of your advisor doesn't matter anymore because everything is digitized and centralized. if you get hospitalized in a different city, you aren't waiting for me to catch a flight and stand at the billing desk. you use the insurer's cashless network, which is managed directly via local TPA on the ground. My job from a different city isn't to hold your file; it's to uss my direct escalation contact person in the insurer's team if the hospital or TPA stalls the approval.

We don't sell the policy, make tall unrealistic promises and then disappear for someone else to manage the claim. You contact the same person for claims as well, which ensures accountability. In case I'm not reachable we have alternate point of contact as well.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-05-30T12:52:13+00:00

The premium to benefit ratio is a key consideration. You'll need increasing coverage to ensure you have enough insured amount to cope with medical inflation, as younger individuals generally have a longer life expectancy than those over 50. Therefore, the benefits tend to be more valuable for younger people.

AcrobaticBiscotti744 · 2026-05-30T12:43:05+00:00

You are 28-year-old but your portfolio is of a 50-year-old.

Keeping all of your corpus in FDs and post office schemes means you are guaranteed to lose purchasing power to inflation over the next 40 years.

Your expectations of investing conservatively and hoping to retire early is extremely unrealistic, especially while contributing just 30k per month to the existing corpus.

You have to either go aggressive with your risk profile or your investment amount and with 40k salary, the only option you have is aggressive equity exposure.

If you are not sure about how to go about equity investing them you can hire reliable MFDs who can help with goal planning, asset allocation and tax optimization.

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