In today’s world, where medical expenses are constantly rising and health risks are unpredictable, having a strong health insurance cover is more important than ever. Many salaried professionals feel secure because their employers offer them a health insurance plan. It’s part of the perks that come with a job. But is this corporate health insurance really enough to protect you and your family?
The answer is a big NO.
While it’s great to have a company-provided health insurance policy, depending solely on it can create serious problems—especially in emergencies or during sudden changes in your job status. Let’s break down why relying only on company health insurance can be risky, and what steps you can take to stay protected.
1. Your Coverage Ends with the Job
The biggest drawback of corporate health insurance is that it ends when your employment ends. Whether you resign, retire, or are laid off—your health insurance coverage ends immediately or within a short notice period.
Imagine this: You leave your job and a week later a medical emergency occurs. Now, you have no active health policy to support the huge hospital bills. Getting a new personal policy at that moment can be time-consuming and expensive—especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
👉 Pro Tip: Always keep a personal health insurance policy active along with your company policy. It ensures continuous coverage no matter where you work.
2. Low Sum Insured May Not Be Enough
Most company health insurance plans offer coverage between ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh. That may sound like a decent amount, but a single hospitalization in a private hospital can cost more than that.
Treatments like surgeries, ICU stays, cancer treatment, or critical care can easily cross ₹10 lakh or more. In such situations, if your policy is limited, you’ll end up paying the rest from your own pocket.
👉 Real Talk: Medical inflation in India is growing at a rate of 10-15% every year. That means what costs ₹5 lakh today may cost ₹10 lakh in just a few years.
3. Limited Coverage for Family Members
Company policies may cover your spouse and children, but not always your parents or in-laws. Some companies may allow it, but often with reduced benefits or extra premiums.
Also, if your family size increases (you get married, have children, etc.), updating the policy can be tricky. Some employers may not allow additions mid-year, which means someone in your family might remain uninsured.
👉 Better Option: With a personal family floater health policy, you can cover all your family members with a flexible and customizable plan.
4. Coverage Gaps and Exclusions
Many corporate policies come with hidden clauses like:
- Room rent limits (e.g., ₹2,000/day)
- Co-pay clauses (you pay part of the bill)
- Network hospital restrictions
- No OPD or maternity cover
- No coverage for critical illnesses
So, while the policy looks nice on paper, when you actually need it, you may realize that a large chunk of the expenses are not reimbursed.
👉 Smart Move: Personal health plans often offer better customization, no room rent limits, and optional add-ons like OPD, maternity, and critical illness riders.
5. No Portability or Continuity Benefits
Let’s say you worked with a company for 10 years and never had a health issue. Suddenly, you quit your job at 45 and decide to take a break. Now, when you apply for a new individual policy, the insurance company will evaluate your age and health condition.
If any new illness is found, your premium will be high—or worse, your application could be rejected.
👉 What You Miss Out: If you had taken a personal policy earlier, you’d have continuity benefits, like completed waiting periods for pre-existing diseases.
6. No Tax Benefit on Employer’s Insurance
If your employer pays the premium, you don’t get any tax benefit under Section 80D. But with a personal policy, you can claim up to ₹25,000 per year (₹50,000 for senior citizens), which is a great way to save tax while staying covered.
7. Retirement Can Leave You Vulnerable
When you retire, your company’s health cover stops—and unfortunately, that’s exactly the time when health issues start to become more common.
At age 60+, buying a new policy can be:
- Expensive
- Full of waiting periods
- Limited in coverage
- Sometimes even denied
👉 Don’t wait till retirement. Buy a personal health policy while you are younger and healthier, and lock in lower premiums for life.
8. Group Policy Terms Can Change Anytime
Company health insurance is part of a group policy, and the company holds the rights to:
- Change the insurer
- Reduce coverage
- Add co-pay clauses
- Increase premiums
- Cancel the policy
This means, you don’t have full control over your policy. You are dependent on the company’s decisions.
👉 Solution: When you have a personal policy, you’re the policyholder. You get full control over upgrades, renewals, and add-ons.
9. Mergers, Acquisitions & Layoffs Can Affect Your Cover
In today’s dynamic corporate world, companies often go through mergers, acquisitions, and cost-cutting phases. Health insurance benefits are often the first to be reduced in such situations.
A layoff or a switch to a new role may mean downgraded or no insurance coverage at all.
👉 Don’t Gamble with Your Health. Always have a backup personal policy running in parallel.
10. You Need Comprehensive Protection
Company policies generally don’t cover things like:
- Critical illnesses (cancer, stroke, heart diseases)
- OPD expenses (consultation, tests, medicines)
- Maternity and newborn care
- Mental health treatments
- Wellness or preventive check-ups
Today’s health needs are broader and more complex. A comprehensive personal plan gives you options to cover a wide range of needs.
What Should You Do Now?
✅ Step 1: Get a Personal Health Insurance Policy
Choose an individual or family floater policy with at least ₹10-15 lakh coverage. Add top-ups if needed.
✅ Step 2: Start Early
The earlier you buy, the better. Younger people get lower premiums, better coverage, and shorter waiting periods.
✅ Step 3: Customize with Add-ons
Add benefits like:
- Critical illness cover
- Maternity cover
- OPD cover
- Personal accident cover
✅ Step 4: Review Annually
Medical needs change. Review your policy every year to upgrade or add family members as needed.
Final Thoughts
Relying solely on your company’s health insurance might give you a false sense of security. It’s helpful while you’re employed, but it comes with limitations that can seriously affect you and your family during uncertain times.
In 2025, medical emergencies are not a question of “if”, but “when”.
Having a personal health insurance policy is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. It’s your financial safety net, your backup plan, and your shield in the worst moments. So, take charge of your health and finances—don’t leave them in your employer’s hands.
