LIC & Star Health — frequently asked questions

Filing a health insurance claim during a hospital emergency can feel overwhelming — but the process for Star Health Assure is straightforward once you know the steps. Here's how both claim routes work, so you're prepared before you ever need to use them.

Two ways to claim

1. Cashless claim — used at network hospitals. Star Health settles the bill directly with the hospital; you don't pay out of pocket for covered expenses.
2. Reimbursement claim — used at non-network hospitals, or if a cashless request is denied. You pay the bills yourself first, then submit documents to get reimbursed.

Cashless claim: step by step

1. Check the hospital network first — confirm it's a Star Health network hospital before a planned admission.
2. Carry your health card, or provide your policy number and member ID at the hospital's insurance desk.
3. Intimate Star Health promptly — within 24 hours for emergencies, at least 48 hours ahead for planned procedures.
4. The hospital submits the pre-authorization form along with your policy and medical details.
5. Star Health reviews and communicates approval — many requests are resolved within a few hours.
6. Once approved, the eligible bill is settled directly with the hospital; any non-covered items are communicated to you separately.

If cashless is denied, that doesn't mean your claim is rejected outright — you'll simply need to pay the hospital yourself and apply for reimbursement instead.

Reimbursement claim: step by step

1. Intimate Star Health within 24 hours of hospitalization, even though you're paying first.
2. Pay all hospital bills and expenses out of pocket.
3. Collect every original document — discharge summary, itemized bills, receipts, prescriptions, diagnostic reports.
4. Fill out the claim form with accurate hospitalization and treatment details.
5. Submit the form plus originals online or at a Star Health branch.
6. After verification, the approved amount is transferred to your registered bank account.

Reimbursement claims generally take longer than cashless ones. Keeping paperwork complete and submitting promptly — most policies require submission within about 15–30 days of discharge — helps avoid delays.

Common reasons claims get delayed

• Incomplete or missing original documents
• Late intimation, beyond the 24/48-hour window
• Treatment for conditions excluded or still within a waiting period
• Mismatched policy or member details submitted to the hospital

Frequently asked

What if I lose my Star Health card? You can still get cashless treatment by providing your policy number and member ID — the physical card isn't strictly mandatory.

Can I still file if I missed the 24-hour window? Intimate as soon as possible regardless — delayed intimation can affect processing, but genuine emergencies with valid reasons are often still considered.

Does Assure cover pre- and post-hospitalization expenses? Many Star Health plans, including Assure, cover medical expenses for a defined number of days before admission and after discharge, subject to policy terms.

What number do I call for claim assistance? Use the toll-free claims helpline listed on your policy document and the Star Health website — worth saving in your phone in advance.

Claim procedures, waiting periods, and documentation requirements can vary by specific policy and change over time. Always refer to your current policy document for exact terms. Need help filing a claim? Call the agent or explore health plans.

Life insurance is one of the most common ways Indian families reduce their taxable income while also securing financial protection. Here's what to know about how LIC policies fit into tax planning for 2026 — including a regime change worth understanding before assuming any deduction applies to you.

Check which tax regime you're under, first

This is the single most important thing to get right before choosing a policy for tax savings: Section 80C deductions are only available under the old tax regime. If you've opted for the new tax regime, your LIC premiums will not reduce your taxable income, even though the policy still provides valid life cover and maturity benefits.

From FY 2026–27 onward, the Income Tax Act 2025 has restructured how these deductions are described — Section 80C, along with related sections like 80CCC, is now consolidated under Section 123 of the new Act. The underlying benefit works the same way, but the section reference has changed. Confirm current provisions with a tax professional or your LIC agent before filing.

How LIC premiums reduce your tax

Under the old regime: Section 80C — life insurance premiums paid for yourself, your spouse, or your children (not parents or siblings) qualify for deduction, up to a combined limit of Rs. 1.5 lakh per year across all 80C instruments (PPF, ELSS, EPF, life insurance premiums, etc. — one shared limit, not per product). Section 10(10D) — maturity proceeds and death benefits from eligible LIC policies are generally tax-exempt, subject to conditions on the ratio between annual premium and sum assured.

LIC policies commonly used for tax planning

• Jeevan Labh — a limited premium endowment plan offering a lump sum at maturity along with life cover; common for defined, medium-term goals.
• Jeevan Umang — a whole life plan combining life cover with yearly payouts after the premium term ends, suited to those wanting long-term income alongside tax efficiency.
• New Jeevan Anand — an endowment-cum-whole-life plan offering a maturity payout plus continued life cover afterward.
• Bima Jyoti — a guaranteed-addition endowment plan offering fixed additions to the sum assured each year during the policy term.

Each has different premium structures, terms, and payout timelines, so the "best" one depends on your goal — a lump sum for a specific milestone, versus long-term income, versus straightforward life cover with savings.

A timing tip that matters

If you're paying a premium specifically to claim the deduction in a given financial year, timing matters: a premium paid in late March counts toward that financial year's return, while paying just after April 1 pushes the benefit to the next year's filing. Paying annually rather than in installments makes the full premium deductible in the year it's paid.

Don't buy purely for tax savings

A common mistake is choosing a policy based only on the tax deduction, without considering whether the cover amount and payout structure match your family's needs. A better approach: first decide the life cover you actually need (a common guideline is 10–15 times annual income, though your situation may call for more or less), then choose the payout structure that fits your goals, and only then optimize for the 80C benefit within that choice.

Frequently asked

Can I get a deduction if I've already opted for the new regime this year? No — 80C deductions (now Section 123) are unavailable under the new regime for the year you've opted into it. Switching regimes is typically possible at the start of a new financial year; confirm the rules with your tax advisor.

Is the Rs. 1.5 lakh limit per policy or total? It's a combined total across all 80C-eligible investments and payments — not a separate Rs. 1.5 lakh for each product.

Are LIC maturity proceeds always tax-free? Not automatically — exemption under Section 10(10D) depends on the premium-to-sum-assured ratio meeting specified conditions.

LIC or market-linked options like ELSS? LIC endowment plans prioritize guaranteed protection and predictable payouts with lower but stable returns; ELSS can offer higher growth potential with more risk. Many families use a mix of both.

Tax laws and deduction limits are subject to government notification and can change. This is for general awareness only, not personalized financial or tax advice — verify current rules with a qualified tax professional. To find the right plan for your income bracket and goals, call the agent or explore LIC plans.