Family Floater Insurance: The Complete Guide

With the pandemic causing an increase in the importance of having an insurance cover, many individuals are confused about whether to opt for an individual insurance policy or a family floater policy. This post will shed some light on the essential aspects of a family floater insurance plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Family floater insurance is a type of health insurance policy that covers all family members under one single plan.
  • There are generally two types of health insurance policies available: individual health insurance policies and family floater policies.
  • Some of the benefits of family floater insurance include consolidated coverage, lower premiums, and comprehensive benefits.
  • There may also be downsides to family floater insurance such as limited coverage, exclusion of extended family members, and premium payment restrictions.
  • Those who have insurance through their employer should also consider getting a separate health insurance plan to avoid undercoverage and navigate possible employment changes.

What is Family Floater Insurance?

Family floater insurance is a type of health insurance policy that offers a health cover for the entire family under a single policy. However, there are certain exceptions to the coverage; for instance, dependent siblings and parents are usually not included under the plan.

One crucial factor determining the premium amount for a family floater plan is the age of the eldest member of the family.

Benefits of Family Floater Insurance

  1. Consolidated Coverage: Instead of managing multiple insurance policies, a single policy covers all family members.

  2. Lower Premiums: Typically, the total insurance premium may be lower for family floater policies as compared to individual policies. However, the total cost depends on various factors such as the age of the eldest person and their medical history.

  3. Comprehensive Benefits: Family floater policies typically offer similar benefits to individual policies

  4. Wide Availability: Most renowned insurers offer family floater plans.

Downsides of Family Floater Insurance

  1. Coverage Limitation: If your policy doesn't have a restoration benefit, the total amount of insurance cover may be less, providing inadequate protection for your family.

  2. Exclusion of Extended Family: Typically, parents and siblings may not be covered under the family floater plan.

  3. Premium Payment: If you forget to pay the premium amount on time and the policy lapses, the cover for all your family members is lost.

  4. Age Restriction for Children: Most family floater policies exclude children in the age bracket of 18 to 25.

Transition to Individual Plans for Children

As children age and their situations change (e.g., getting married), they may need to transition from a family floater plan to an individual or separate family floater plan. The exact solution will depend on the circumstances.

Employers' Health Insurance Plans

If your employer already offers a health insurance plan, consider the limitations before deciding whether to get a separate health insurance plan. It's crucial to consider factors such as undercoverage, changing employment and room rent cap.

Conclusion

Family floater insurance policies can be a cost-effective way to secure health coverage for your entire family. However, it's essential to weigh the benefits against the downsides and take an informed decision. You might want to consider getting a separate health insurance plan in addition to the one provided by your employer to ensure adequate coverage.