Why You Shouldn't Delay Buying Health Insurance

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Why You Shouldn't Delay Buying Health Insurance

Secure your health and finances today — before it’s too late.

  • 1. Introduction: The Common Mistake People Make

    2. The True Cost of Medical Emergencies

    3. Why Timing Matters in Health Insurance

    4. The Waiting Period Trap

    5. Rising Medical Inflation in India

    6. Real-Life Stories: Learning the Hard Way

    7. The Myth of “I’m Young and Healthy”

    8. The Impact on Your Finances and Savings

    9. Emotional and Mental Toll Without Insurance

    10. Benefits of Buying Early: Premiums, Approvals, and Peace

    11. Tax Benefits You Might Miss

    12. FAQs About Delaying Health Insurance

    13. Final Verdict

    14. How Policyfy Can Help

    15. CTA: Compare Plans, Save Lives

1. Introduction: The Common Mistake People Make

Let’s begin with a simple truth:

“People don’t buy health insurance when they need it — they buy it when it’s already too late.”

Most people in their 20s and 30s believe they are too healthy to fall sick. Or worse, they think health insurance is only useful when they grow old. But life doesn’t always follow your plans.

A slip, a fever, a diagnosis — and suddenly, your savings vanish into hospital bills.

This blog is a guide to show you why you must not delay buying health insurance and how early action can protect both your health and your wealth.

2. The True Cost of Medical Emergencies

Let’s break it down:

  • Average hospitalization cost in India (private hospital): ₹30,000 to ₹1,00,000+

    ICU stay per day: ₹10,000 – ₹30,000

    Cancer treatment: ₹5 – ₹20 lakhs

    Kidney transplant: ₹6 – ₹10 lakhs

    Accident surgeries: ₹2 – ₹8 lakhs

And these costs are just the beginning. There’s diagnostics, medicine, post-hospital follow-ups, physiotherapy, and sometimes even job loss due to recovery time.

Wouldn’t it be better to pay a small premium instead of draining your savings?

3. Why Timing Matters in Health Insurance

Health insurance works like an umbrella — you need it before it starts raining. The policy comes with:

  • Waiting periods

    Pre-policy medical checks

    Risk-based premium pricing

Waiting to fall sick and then buying insurance? It won’t work. Insurance is about being prepared — not reactive.

4. The Waiting Period Trap

What is a Waiting Period?

It’s the time after buying the policy during which you cannot claim for certain conditions.

Types of waiting periods:

  • Initial waiting period: 30 days after policy purchase

    Pre-existing disease (PED) waiting: 1 to 4 years

    Maternity waiting period: 9 months to 3 years

    Specific disease waiting: Hernia, cataract, joint replacement — 1 to 2 years

Imagine you buy a policy after being diagnosed with diabetes — you may either:

  • Not get covered for diabetes-related treatments

    Or have to wait 2–4 years

By buying early, you start the countdown before problems begin.

5. Rising Medical Inflation in India

India’s medical inflation is above 12–14% annually, one of the highest in the world.

Let’s say:

  • A surgery that costs ₹2 lakhs today might cost ₹3.5 lakhs in 5 years.

    A ₹5 lakh cover may not be enough later.

    Premiums go up as healthcare cost rises — especially with age.

Buying young locks in:

  • Lower premiums

    Long-term protection

    Shield against rising costs

6. Real-Life Stories: Learning the Hard Way

📌 Story 1: Rahul, 28

Rahul thought he was healthy and skipped buying insurance. At 29, he had a slipped disc after a minor accident. The surgery and physiotherapy cost him ₹2.4 lakhs.

He had to break his fixed deposit and cancel his travel plans. He now pays ₹10,000/year in premiums — and regrets not starting earlier.

📌 Story 2: Kavita, 34

Kavita delayed health insurance due to pregnancy plans. When she conceived, she was told she couldn't claim maternity benefits under any new policy for 2 years. She had to spend ₹1.2 lakhs out-of-pocket at a private hospital.

📌 Story 3: Mr. Arora, 54

Diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes — every insurer offered limited coverage with high premiums. If he had taken a ₹5 lakh policy in his 30s, his premiums would’ve been half of what they are today.

7. The Myth of “I’m Young and Healthy”

Being young doesn’t mean you’re safe. Common health risks in 20s & 30s:

  • Accidents (bike, car, gym, sports)

    Stress-related illnesses (migraines, hypertension)

    Lifestyle issues (fatty liver, PCOD, diabetes)

    Sudden diagnosis (tumors, autoimmune issues)

In fact, young buyers are the best candidates:

  • No pre-existing diseases

    Easier approvals

    Cheaper premiums

    Faster claim settlement history building

Don’t let your age be an excuse — let it be your advantage.

best Health insurance policy

8. The Impact on Your Finances and Savings

Let’s say you save ₹5,000/month. A single medical emergency costing ₹2.5 lakhs will wipe out over 4 years of savings — in just a week!

Health insurance is not an expense, it’s a:

  • Risk shield

    Emergency fund

    Tax-saving tool

    Investment in peace of mind

9. Emotional and Mental Toll Without Insurance

Beyond money, there's the emotional cost:

  • Stress of arranging funds quickly

    Guilt of burdening family

    Anxiety about future treatments

    Delay in getting good hospitals or care due to money constraints

Insurance helps you:

  • Get timely treatment

    Choose good hospitals

    Focus on healing, not expenses

10. Benefits of Buying Early: Premiums, Approvals, and Peace

Age Group Avg. ₹5L Premium Chances of Rejection PED Waiting Period Risk
25–30 ₹5,000–₹6,000 Low Covered in time
35–40 ₹8,000–₹10,000 Moderate May extend
45–50 ₹12,000+ High Delayed coverage

Key takeaways:

  • Pay less for more coverage

    Coverage continues uninterrupted as you grow older

    Early waiting period completion

    Lock-in benefits at a young age

11. Tax Benefits You Might Miss

Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, you can claim:

  • ₹25,000 deduction for premiums paid (self/spouse/children)

    ₹50,000 deduction for parents above 60

    ₹75,000 total if covering both self and senior citizen parents

This tax benefit is lost if you delay your policy purchase.

12. FAQs About Delaying Health Insurance

Q1. What if I don't get sick — is my premium wasted?

Think of it like fire insurance — you don’t want to use it, but it protects you if something bad happens. It’s a safety net.

Q2. Can’t I just save money for medical emergencies instead?

You’d need to save lakhs — and even then, it may not be enough. Insurance gives you access to larger funds immediately.

Q3. I’m already covered by my company — do I need a personal plan?

Yes! Corporate policies end when you leave the job. Also, they may not be enough during large claims or for dependents.

13. Final Verdict

Health insurance is not optional. It’s essential.

Don’t wait for a crisis to realize its importance. Buying a policy early ensures:

  • Affordability

    Coverage when you need it

    No compromise on hospital care

    Emotional peace

    Financial freedom

14. How Policyfy Can Help

At Policyfy, we make health insurance:

  • Simple to compare

    Easy to understand

    Transparent in benefits

    Affordable for every budget

Whether you’re 25, 35, or 55 — we help you find the right plan, with:

  • Day-1 coverage

    Cashless hospitalization

    Tax benefits

    Coverage for maternity, OPD, AYUSH, and more

15. CTA: Compare Plans, Save Lives

  • 💡 Don’t wait for life to surprise you. Be ready.

    🛡️ Visit Policyfy Health Insurance Page today

    👉 Compare India’s top health plans side-by-side

    ✅ Get expert help. Fast approvals. Instant peace of mind.

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