World No Tobacco Day: Lifestyle habits beyond a certain threshold may result in denial of coverage, says Dr Santosh Puri

Lifestyle habits beyond a certain threshold affect the health insurance premium as well as in extreme conditions, denial of coverage, says Dr Santosh Puri, Senior Vice President - Health Product & Process, Tata AIG General Insurance.

In an interview with MintGenie, Puri said that it is advisable to disclose everything while purchasing health insurance to ensure complete coverage for any uncertain circumstances.

Edited Excerpts:

Q.Smoking habits kill. Yet, so many people smoke. On average, how many health insurance claims does your company settle against smoking-related disorders?

Smoking is injurious to health and comes with a warning, still, many people smoke. Smoking has an adverse impact on health and leads to diseases like cancer, lung disorders, etc.

While we prioritize promoting a healthy lifestyle, we also acknowledge the unfortunate reality of smoking addiction. We do consider smoking addiction as an unfavourable lifestyle while offering health insurance to our customers and the same is taken into consideration during the underwriting process, as smoking can lead to health complications and long-term adverse effects on critical body organs.

It is very difficult to quantify the impact of smoking on actual health claims. However, to promote healthy living habits,

Q. Do your prospective clients reveal their smoking habits?

Prospective health insurance buyers are required to disclose their smoking habits during the insurance application process. Accurate and transparent disclosure of smoking habits allows us to assess the risks associated with tobacco use and provide appropriate coverage to our clients. It helps us offer targeted solutions and offer the necessary support to individuals seeking to quit smoking or manage the associated health risks effectively. It is advisable to disclose everything while purchasing health insurance to ensure complete coverage for any uncertain circumstances.

Q. Does your insurance company take cognizance of e-smoking habits too?

As an insurance provider committed to protecting the well-being of our customers, Tata AIG General Insurance takes cognizance of lifestyle-related information including smoking in any form. It is important for individuals to disclose their e-smoking habits to ensure accurate risk evaluation and comprehensive coverage.

Q. Lifestyle habits affect health insurance premiums. Despite this, people continue to indulge in tobacco-related addiction. What would be your advice to your customers?

We acknowledge that lifestyle habits, including tobacco-related addiction, can have a significant impact on one’s health and grievous diseases such as oral cancer, lung cancer, COPD, etc. can impact financial planning and life expectancy.

Lifestyle habits beyond a certain threshold affect the health insurance premium as well as in extreme conditions, denial of coverage.

Our advice to customers who indulge in tobacco-related addiction is to prioritize their well-being and make a conscious effort to quit smoking or seek assistance to manage their addiction effectively. By quitting smoking, individuals can not only improve their overall health but also potentially reduce their insurance premiums, leading to long-term cost savings. We encourage customers to explore the various resources and support available to help them quit smoking and adopt healthier habits.