The prevalence of heart attacks has been on the rise, to the point where it's common to know at least a few family members who have been affected by this life-threatening event. Here are statistics illustrating the alarming increase in heart attack cases in India:
You could be next!

With escalating medical costs, diseases like heart attacks can quickly deplete your finances within a matter of weeks. In such circumstances, having a critical illness insurance policy alongside your health insurance is vital.
While a health insurance policy covers your medical and hospitalization expenses, a critical illness policy offers a lump sum payout upon diagnosis of a critical illness. This lump sum can be used to cover post-treatment costs, clear debts, or maintain your daily household expenses.
During treatment, many patients are compelled to leave their jobs or take a sabbatical, resulting in a loss of income. A critical illness policy can bridge this financial gap and allow you to continue your treatment without disruptions, which is an aspect a standard health insurance plan cannot address.
In today's world, a combination of health insurance and critical illness insurance is a necessity. Therefore, it's advisable to start early and secure a policy when you don't need it, as you may not be eligible when you do require it.
Here's a list of important considerations when purchasing critical illness insurance:

Check the Covered Diseases: Different insurance companies may cover varying critical illnesses. It's essential to review the list of covered conditions before choosing a critical illness insurance policy.
Standalone or Add-on: Critical illness insurance can be purchased as a rider to your existing health or term insurance policy, or as a standalone policy. Understanding the difference between the two is crucial to selecting the option that suits your needs.
Compatibility with Health Insurance: Ensure that your critical illness policy complements your health insurance so that you have comprehensive healthcare coverage at a reasonable cost.
Renewal Benefits: Critical illness insurance needs annual renewal. Find out about the renewal benefits provided by your insurer for claim-free years. Some plans come with renewal limits, so choose a plan that offers long-term coverage.
Exclusions and Limitations: Carefully review the exclusions and limitations associated with the critical illness plan. Pay attention to factors like waiting periods (the time between policy purchase and diagnosis), survival periods, sub-limits on various costs, and limitations related to specific ailments.
Claim Settlement History: Investigate the claim settlement history of the insurer before purchasing any insurance policy.
Network Hospitals: Opt for a policy that offers access to a wide range of network hospitals conveniently located near your residence or workplace.
Understand the Claim Settlement Process: Familiarize yourself with the claim settlement process, including how claims will be settled, whether cashless treatment is available, the timing of reimbursements, and the required documentation for reimbursement-type treatments.
In today's age, a 35-year-old healthy individual in India can obtain a Critical Illness policy with a cover of Rs 10 lakhs for as low as Rs 160 per month. It's essential to carefully consider these factors to make an informed decision when purchasing critical illness insurance.