Quick answer. In India in 2026, prioritise health cover (family floater, minimum 500,000 INR sum assured) and comprehensive vehicle cover if you own one. Buy from IRDAI-licensed insurers only. Pay premiums via UPI at instant settlement. Claim-payout track record matters more than premium — the cheapest policy that refuses claims costs more than a fair-priced one that pays.

The IRDAI Framework

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) licenses every legitimate insurer. Verify the IRDAI registration before buying. Unregulated “insurance” schemes circulating on WhatsApp are not insurance and do not pay out.

Health Cover

A family floater covers multiple family members under a single sum assured. A reasonable 2026 starting point for a middle-class urban family is 500,000–1,000,000 INR sum assured. Network hospital coverage (cashless claim at hospitals directly on the insurer's list) matters as much as the premium — a great policy with zero nearby network hospitals is awkward at claim time. GeraSure publishes the network hospital list by pin code before purchase.

Vehicle Cover

Third-party liability is mandatory. Comprehensive cover (own damage plus third party) is strongly recommended for anything newer than a few years old. No-claims bonus accumulates; protect it if possible.

Typical 2026 Premiums

Family floater health, 500,000 INR cover, two adults one child, metro city: 12,000–25,000 INR/year.
Family floater, 1,000,000 INR cover, same family: 20,000–40,000 INR/year.
Standard vehicle comprehensive, small car: 6,000–18,000 INR/year.
Travel (international trip, 7 days): 1,500–5,000 INR depending on cover and destination.

Paying Premiums

UPI is the dominant rail; most insurers offer one-tap renewal. Card payment works universally. Annual premiums may attract a small discount versus monthly.

Claim Payout Speed

Cashless claims at network hospitals settle directly between insurer and hospital — usually same day. Reimbursement claims (paid first by patient, reimbursed later) take 14–30 days for well-run insurers; longer for weaker ones. GeraSure publishes median claim-payout times per product line.

Common Exclusions That Bite

Pre-existing conditions waiting period (typically 2–4 years).
Specific treatment exclusions (cosmetic, some mental-health lines).
Maternity in the first 9–24 months.
Overseas treatment (limited or excluded depending on policy).

Tax Treatment

Health insurance premiums qualify for Section 80D deductions under the old tax regime. Vehicle premiums are generally not deductible for individuals. Consult a CA for your specific situation.

How GeraSure Works in India

GeraSure India partners with IRDAI-licensed insurers and aggregates policies in a transparent comparison view. You see premium, sum assured, network hospitals, claim-payout median, and exclusions in plain language. Premiums are paid via UPI; policies are issued digitally.

Diaspora Buying for Parents

A common pattern: a child working abroad buys a senior-parent health policy in India. GeraSure supports this — the payer abroad funds via GeraCash, the policy covers the parent domestically.

Next Step

Quote a family floater at the sum assured you need. Verify the insurer's IRDAI registration. Confirm at least three network hospitals within 10 km of your home. Pay via UPI once satisfied.