A health insurance sum insured that felt sufficient a few years ago may no longer be enough today. Rising treatment costs, especially for major surgeries and prolonged illnesses, mean that a Rs 5 lakh cover can be used up quickly in a serious medical event. This is why more people are considering 1 crore health insurance, either through a single high sum insured plan or a combination strategy.
Our IRDAI licensed advisors at Excel India IMF specialise in helping clients structure high value health coverage in a cost effective way. This page explains why high cover matters, how it works, and who should consider it.
Compare ₹1 Crore plans and high-cover combination strategies
Major medical events can be far more expensive than many people expect. Below are some indicative treatment cost ranges in India.
These figures are indicative cost ranges only. Actual costs vary by hospital, city, and individual treatment plan.
As these figures show, a Rs 5 lakh sum insured can be insufficient for serious illnesses such as cancer (consider reviewing our specialized cancer health insurance plans), or complex procedures such as an organ transplant. A higher sum insured, such as Rs 1 crore, offers a wider financial buffer against these costs.
Healthcare costs in India have been rising due to a combination of factors: newer medical technology and treatments, increasing hospital infrastructure costs, and general medical inflation, which has historically outpaced general inflation in the country.
This means the sum insured that was adequate a decade ago may fall short today, and plans bought now should be considered with future cost increases in mind.
Equipping your family with a high sum insured health plan ensures future-ready protection when medical care costs escalate over the next 10-20 years. Pair this protection with disciplined retirement planning to protect your overall wealth.
Looking to protect all members under one umbrella? Learn more about our shared family health insurance options.
Buying a single health plan with a Rs 1 crore sum insured can be expensive. A more cost effective approach many people use is combining a base health plan with a super top up insurance plan, which activates once claims in a year cross a certain threshold, known as the deductible.
A super top up plan only starts paying once your claims for the year exceed the deductible amount. If your base plan covers the first Rs 10 lakh of expenses, a super top up with a Rs 10 lakh deductible will begin covering costs once total claims for the year cross that amount, up to the super top up plan's own sum insured.
Here is a simplified example of how a base plan and super top up plan can combine to offer Rs 1 crore of effective cover.
This combination can offer high coverage at a lower total premium compared to buying a single Rs 1 crore base plan, since super top up premiums are generally lower than equivalent base plan premiums.
While not everyone needs Rs 1 crore of cover, certain groups may find it particularly valuable.
Hospital charges in metro cities are generally higher than in smaller towns, which means metro residents may need a higher sum insured to adequately cover treatment costs in their city.
Older family members are statistically more likely to require hospitalisation, and their treatment costs can be significant. A higher combined family cover can offer more room for these expenses.
If serious illnesses such as cancer or heart disease run in your family, a higher sum insured can provide a larger buffer, given the potentially higher treatment costs associated with these conditions.
Before choosing the best health insurance high cover plan or a base plus super top up combination, it is worth checking a few details closely.
Look at room rent limits, since some plans cap the room category you can choose without a co payment.
Check whether co payment clauses apply, particularly for senior citizens, since this affects your out of pocket cost during a claim.
Also check whether the plan offers restoration, which refreshes your sum insured after it has been used, since this can be valuable if you need multiple claims in the same year.
Specialized guidance in high-sum-insured health structuring
Excel India IMF offers expert advisory on high value health coverage, backed by over three decades of experience in financial services. Our IRDAI licensed advisors can help you compare a single high sum insured plan against a base plus super top up combination, so you get strong protection at a cost that fits your budget.
Answers regarding 1 crore health insurance costs, super top-up plans, family coverage, and deductibles
Get a customised 1 crore health insurance quote. We help you combine a base plan and super top up plan for maximum coverage at a lower overall cost. Call 90 90 92 15 15 or fill out the enquiry form.
Premiums vary by age, city, and health status. Health insurance is subject to policy terms and conditions.