The illnesses that one contracts for leading an unhealthy way of life are called lifestyle diseases. These days you often get to see young people complain about various health problems such as cholesterol, diabetes, and high/low BP. This is primarily because of the desk–bound lifestyle that is dominant today. Increasing pollution, dependency on junk foods, higher consumption of tobacco, and increased stress levels are a few common causes of lifestyle diseases.

Furthermore, the cost of seeking medical attention continues to increase with time. This makes it difficult for an average person to receive their treatment. Hence, it is natural to wonder if you could get an insurance policy that covers you against such ailments.

Fortunately, several well–renowned insurance companies can help you enjoy financial protection against various lifestyle diseases. However, you would need to buy a separate policy for these as there are high chances that your regular health insurance policy would not cover lifestyle diseases.

The majority of insurers cover you against the following types of lifestyle diseases:

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular issues
• Cancer
• Obesity
• Respiratory problems

Different insurers cover you against various lifestyle diseases. Hence, it would be best if you always read the fine print of your policy before making the purchase.

With so many options available in the market today, it can be quite tricky to choose the right type of insurance for yourself. Nonetheless, to help you make the right choice, here are four tips to keep in mind before making your policy purchase:

• Get the right coverage amount

  A higher coverage indeed comes with a higher premium. However, paying a few hundred rupees extra for your insurance premium would prove more affordable than paying the expensive hospital bills. If you have a tight budget, you can choose to increase the coverage over time.

• Purchase the policy at a young age

  Younger people have robust immune systems, and hence, they are less susceptible to falling sick. As a result, insurers offer health plans to such people at much lower premiums. Furthermore, these policies have a waiting period that excludes the coverage for pre–existing diseases for the first few years. This allows you to enjoy exhaustive coverage after completing the waiting period.

• Compare the different options

  There are several types of insurance policies available in the market today. One insurer often offers multiple insurance policies that protect you from various lifestyle diseases. However, each policy may cover you for different types of lifestyle diseases. Hence, to choose the right health insurance plan for yourself, it is essential to compare the other insurance options that are available to you.

• Read the terms and conditions

  All insurance policies come with a set of pre–defined terms and conditions that need to be considered during the claim settlement process. Hence, to get the most out of your insurance policy, it is better to read the fine print of the policy you wish to buy.