A definition is a description of the nature, scope and the meaning of something. In health insurance, policy wording and definitions of various facilities, diseases, etc. are extremely important.
Typically, we are required to read and understand the policy wording, before buying a cover.
For brevity, we have focused on the following Insurers:
At first glance, Phrases like ‘Pre-hospitalisation expenses’ or ‘OPD treatment’ etc. might seem like Greek and Latin, until the definitions are read.
But, ‘What is a definition’?
SBI General Insurance | Acko General Insurance | TATA AIG | Edelweiss General Insurance |
“The following words or terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them wherever they appear in this Policy, and references to the singular or to the masculine shall include references to the plural and to the feminine wherever the context so permits”. | The terms defined below and at other junctures in the Policy have the meanings ascribed to them wherever they appear in this Policy and, where, the context so requires, references to the singular include references to the plural; references to the male includes the female and references to any statutory enactment includes subsequent changes to the same. | NIL | For the purpose of interpretation and understanding of this Policy, the Company has defined below some of the important words used in this Policy. Words not defined below are to be construed in the usual English language meaning as contained in Standard English language dictionaries. The words and expressions defined in the Insurance Act 1938, IRDA Act 1999, regulations notified by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“Authority”) and circulars and guidelines issued by the Authority shall carry the meanings described therein. |
We wish to mention that, the number of definitions vary with insurer!
Whether your genuine health claim gets approved depends on these definitions. Hence, this word of caution to you all.