- High coverage at a low premium
- Financial protection for your family’s future
- Tax benefits up to Rs. 46,000`` under Section 80C and 10(10D)
- Dedicated claim assistance
- Customisable plans to suit your needs
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In summary
- Life cover: The nominee receives the base policy's death cover if the policyholder passes away during the policy term.
- Critical illness benefit: A lump sum can be paid after diagnosis of a listed critical illness, subject to the policy terms.
- Illnesses covered: The list commonly includes cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, major organ transplant and other serious conditions.
- Eligibility: The source criteria show an entry age of 18 to 65 years, with policy terms of 5 to 40 years.
- Affordable premiums: While term insurance offers high coverage at relatively low premiums, adding a critical illness rider may slightly increase the overall cost depending on the plan you choose.
The rider can help you manage treatment costs, income loss and other financial needs during recovery.
What is a critical illness rider?
Secure Your Family’s Future
You can use this payout based on your financial needs. For example, it may help you manage:
- Medical and treatment expenses
- Income loss during recovery
- Changes to your lifestyle or daily expenses
- Household financial needs while you take time away from work
The exact illnesses and conditions covered depend on the policy. So, check the policy wording and the complete list of covered illnesses before choosing a rider.
If you are comparing term insurance options, check the available rider choices along with the base life cover before making a decision. Get quote!
What are the key benefits of a critical illness rider?
Financial support after diagnosis:
The rider can provide a lump-sum benefit when you are diagnosed with a covered critical illness, subject to the policy terms.
You can use the payout for treatment, recovery-related expenses, household needs or income replacement.
Protection beyond life cover:
A base term insurance plan primarily protects your nominee if you die during the policy term. A critical illness rider can also provide financial support while you are alive and dealing with a covered illness.
Your life cover may remain available:
The effect of a critical illness claim on your base life cover depends on the policy terms. Some policies may keep the life cover unchanged, while others may reduce it after a CI benefit is paid.
Always check this condition before choosing a rider.
An additional layer of financial protection:
A critical illness can affect both your expenses and your ability to earn. A rider can provide a separate financial benefit to help you manage these needs.
Understanding how the rider helps your base cover can help you choose more confidently. Explore term insurance plans and available riders with it to choose that suits your requirements and get a quote!
What does term insurance with critical illness rider cover?
| Category | Critical Illnesses Commonly Covered |
| Heart-related |
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| Cancer-related |
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| Neurological disorders |
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| Kidney-related |
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| Liver-related |
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| Lung-related |
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| Organ failure |
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| Paralysis and disability |
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| Others |
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Once you know which illnesses are covered — Compare term insurance plans and get quote!
How does term insurance with critical illness rider work?
The benefit you receive depends on what happens during the policy term and the conditions of your policy.
| Scenario | What happens | Benefit paid |
| Diagnosed with a covered critical illness and survive | You are diagnosed with a covered illness during the policy term and continue treatment. | The critical illness sum assured is paid as a lump sum, subject to the policy terms. |
| Death during the policy term without a covered critical illness | The insured passes away due to an accident or an illness not covered by the CI rider. | The nominee receives the full life cover amount under the base term insurance plan. |
| Diagnosed with a critical illness and later pass away | You receive the CI benefit and later pass away during the policy term. | The remaining life cover amount is paid to your nominee. Some insurers may reduce the base sum assured by the CI benefit already paid. |
| Survive after receiving the CI benefit | You receive the CI payout and survive for the rest of the policy term. | The life cover may continue or reduce, depending on the policy. In some cases, the policy may end after the CI benefit is paid. |
How much critical illness cover do I need with term insurance?
The right critical illness cover depends on your income, lifestyle, medical history and financial responsibilities.
The source article suggests considering CI cover equal to 5 to 10 times your annual income. This can help you plan for treatment costs, income loss and other financial needs during recovery.
You should also consider your existing health insurance. If your health cover is limited, you may need to assess whether a higher critical illness cover is appropriate for your situation.
A term insurance plan with a critical illness rider can therefore provide financial support for both your family's future and your own needs during a serious illness.
Assess your income and existing health cover before deciding how much additional CI protection you may need.
Who should buy a critical illness term insurance?
You may want to consider it if you fall into any of these situations:
- Working professional: A serious illness could affect your ability to work and earn.
- Primary breadwinner: Your treatment and recovery could create additional financial pressure for your family.
- Family history of serious illnesses: If conditions such as cancer, stroke or heart disease run in your family, you may want to consider additional protection.
- Self-employed: If you do not have employer-backed insurance, a rider can provide an additional financial cushion.
- Parent with dependents: The payout can help you manage treatment-related expenses without disturbing savings set aside for your children's future.
Your age, income, health profile and existing insurance should all be considered before choosing the rider.
Who can buy term insurance with a critical illness rider?
| Parameter | Minimum | Maximum |
| Entry age | 18 years | 65 years |
| Policy term | 5 years | 40 years |
| Sum assured (rider) | Rs. 1 lakh | Up to base cover limit |
| Premium payment term | Regular/limited/single | Depends on policy |
| Medical check-up required | Based on age and cover | Based on risk profile |
These criteria may vary slightly across insurers, so check the specifics before applying.
How to buy term insurance with critical illness rider?
You can buy a life insurance plan online through the official website of the insurers without a branch visit.
You can also choose to compare available term insurance plans and buy through Bajaj Finance Insurance Mall.
- Click on ‘Get Quote’ on the life insurance page to visit the online application form.
- Enter your name, mobile number, email ID, date of birth and gender, then click on ‘Proceed’ to generate a personalised premium estimate across available plans.
- Share details about your lifestyle, occupation, education, income and PIN code, then click on ‘View Plans’.
- Review the plan details, available riders and premium breakup. Add a critical illness rider if it suits your requirements.
- Click on ‘Buy Now’ on the selected plan. A representative will call you back to explain the available products and help you make an informed decision.
How to claim term insurance with critical illness rider cover?
- Inform the insurer after receiving the diagnosis.
- Submit the required documents, such as diagnosis reports, ID proof and policy documents.
- Complete any additional forms or medical certificates requested by the insurer.
- The insurer verifies the claim and processes the applicable lump-sum benefit.
Check the policy's list of covered illnesses and definitions before making a claim. The diagnosis must meet the conditions specified in the policy.
What should you remember about this rider?
Here are the key points:
- It can provide a lump-sum payout after diagnosis of a listed critical illness, subject to policy conditions.
- The payout can help with treatment, recovery expenses and income loss.
- It can be relevant if you have financial dependents or significant financial responsibilities.
- The rider premiums may be tax-deductible under relevant sections of the Income Tax Act 2025, subject to applicable tax rules.
- The illness list and claim conditions should be checked before choosing a rider.
- The impact of a CI claim on the base life cover depends on the policy terms.
Tax laws are subject to change. BFL does NOT provide Tax/Investment advisory services. Please consult your advisors.
How to add a critical illness rider to a term insurance plan?
Consider these points before adding the rider:
- Choose the insurer: Check the rider options and claim-related terms available with the insurer.
- Decide the cover amount: Consider your age, lifestyle, medical history, income and future healthcare needs.
- Request the rider: Add the rider when buying the policy or during renewal, where the policy allows it.
- Complete medical assessment: The insurer may ask you to undergo a health check-up depending on your profile.
Before adding the rider, compare its coverage with your existing health insurance to understand what additional protection you are getting.
Conclusion
Term insurance with a critical illness rider can give you two layers of financial protection: life cover for your nominee and a potential lump-sum benefit if you are diagnosed with a covered critical illness.
The right choice depends on your income, financial responsibilities, existing health insurance and the illnesses covered by the rider.
Explore more and stay informed
Frequently asked questions
Term insurance with critical illness rider
What is a critical illness rider in term insurance?
Term insurance with a critical illness rider combines a base life cover with an additional benefit for listed critical illnesses. If you are diagnosed with a covered illness during the policy term, the rider can provide a lump-sum payout, subject to the policy's conditions and definitions.
What are the benefits of a critical illness rider?
A critical illness rider offers several benefits, including financial support during severe illness, comprehensive coverage for various critical conditions, and affordable premiums. Importantly, claiming the rider does not affect the death cover of the term insurance, ensuring continued life coverage for beneficiaries.
What conditions are typically covered under a critical illness rider?
Critical illness riders typically cover life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and major organ transplants. The specific conditions vary between insurers, but most policies include protection against a wide range of severe medical issues.
How can you add a critical illness rider to your term insurance?
To add a critical illness rider, you can request it when purchasing a new term insurance policy or renewing an existing one. Select the rider option, determine your coverage needs, and follow any medical assessment requirements your insurer might have before finalising the addition.
What questions are commonly asked about critical illness riders in term insurance?
Common questions about critical illness riders include coverage details, premium costs, conditions covered, how claims are processed, and whether the rider impacts the life insurance death cover. These inquiries help policyholders understand how the rider enhances their term insurance protection.
What does term insurance with a critical illness rider mean?
It’s a term insurance policy that includes extra coverage for specific critical illnesses. If diagnosed, you receive a lump sum payout, separate from the death benefit, to help cover medical and lifestyle expenses.
