Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Health insurance: experts prioritise sum insured over riders
Health insurance helps pay for medical treatment in a hospital.
The base sum insured is the main amount the policy can pay.
Experts say this main amount should usually be large enough before buying extra benefits.
Extra benefits are called add-ons or riders.
They can help with things like doctor visits, hospital cash or restoring cover after it is used.
However, not everyone needs every add-on.
People should choose them based on their health and family needs.
They should also check the rules and exclusions carefully.
Having more features does not always mean having better protection.
Experts generally recommend increasing the base sum insured before buying health insurance add-ons.
A low base cover with multiple riders may still leave policyholders exposed to large hospitalisation bills.
Add-ons can be useful for specific gaps, such as outpatient expenses, hospital cash or restoration benefits.
Consumers should consider their health needs, age, family profile, likely expenses and affordability before choosing riders.
Policyholders should compare exclusions, waiting periods, sub-limits, eligibility rules, network hospitals and premiums before paying extra.
- Who
- Health insurance policyholders and their families, with guidance from insurance experts.
- What
- Consumers are being advised to prioritise an adequate base sum insured before purchasing health insurance riders or add-ons.
- When
- The guidance applies when buying or reviewing a health insurance policy.
- Where
- Within health insurance policies and their related coverage decisions.
- Why
- A sufficient base cover protects against overall hospitalisation costs, while add-ons usually address narrower expenses or situations.
- Primary recommendation
- Strengthen the base sum insured before spending on add-ons.
- Potential add-ons
- Restoration of sum insured, outpatient cover, hospital cash, consumables cover and inflation protection.
- Main risk
- Several riders cannot compensate for an inadequate base cover if the hospital bill exceeds the available sum insured.
- When add-ons help
- They may be useful when they address genuine gaps, such as recurring outpatient expenses or specific hospitalisation costs.
- Factors to assess
- Health needs, age, family profile, likely medical expenses and affordability.
- Policy details to check
- Waiting periods, exclusions, sub-limits, eligibility conditions, network hospitals, coverage and premiums.
- Consumer caution
- Policyholders should avoid paying for benefits that already exist in the base policy or another insurance policy.