Critical illness insurance
A benefit policy that pays a lump sum when you are diagnosed with one of the illnesses it lists, whatever the hospital bill was, so the money can go to treatment, loans or lost income.
What it covers
Cover varies between insurers and plans. The policy wording is what decides whether a claim is payable, so read it before you buy.
- A lump sum on diagnosis of a listed condition, paid regardless of what treatment cost
- Conditions such as cancer of specified severity, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, major organ transplant and paralysis, exactly as the policy defines them
- The full sum insured, as a benefit rather than a reimbursement of expenses
- Staged payouts by severity of the condition, on plans that offer them
- Only the conditions named in the policy, matching its medical definitions
Key features
- Pays on diagnosis, so the money can be used for anything: treatment elsewhere, travel, a loan EMI or household costs
- A survival period after diagnosis before the benefit becomes payable: [SURVIVAL PERIOD]
- An initial waiting period after the policy starts: [WAITING PERIOD]
- Sold as a standalone policy, or as a rider on a health or term life plan
- Sum insured of [SUM INSURED RANGE], subject to underwriting and your income
- The list of conditions and their definitions differ between plans, and decide the cover
How to buy it
Four steps, with an advisor you can reach at any of them.
Tell us what to cover
Tell us your age, occupation and health history, and the lump sum you want on diagnosis.
Compare plans
See premium, cover, exclusions and key terms from our partner insurers side by side.
Share details & KYC
Add the details the insurer needs and complete KYC with your PAN.
Get your policy
Pay online, the policy reaches your email, and your advisor stays with you at claim time.
Critical illness insurance: FAQs
How is this different from health insurance?
Health insurance reimburses hospital bills. A critical illness policy pays a fixed lump sum on diagnosis of a listed condition, whatever the bill was, and you may spend it on anything. Many people hold both.
Can I claim on both my health policy and a critical illness policy?
Yes. The critical illness benefit is paid on diagnosis and does not reduce what your health policy pays for the hospitalisation, because the two cover different things.
What is a survival period?
The period you must survive after diagnosis for the benefit to become payable: [SURVIVAL PERIOD]. It is defined in the policy wording.
Are all cancers covered?
No. Each policy lists the conditions it covers and defines the stage or severity that qualifies; very early-stage conditions and some skin cancers are commonly excluded. Read the definitions, not just the names.