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Let me guess. You are working in the UAE and your family has health needs in India.
As someone who worked closely with NRIs in the Gulf, I’ve seen this concern come up time and again. Rising medical costs in India, aging parents, and the helplessness of being far away. It is a lot to carry. But, there’s peace of mind in knowing your family is financially covered during medical emergencies.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to buy Indian health insurance plans as an NRI, what kind of policies are available, and how you can ensure your loved ones back home are well protected.
Yes, absolutely. Many of my clients initially think being abroad makes it harder to buy insurance back in India, but it’s actually quite straightforward.
Most Indian insurers today allow NRIs to buy health insurance for families online. Whether it’s your parents, spouse, or children living in India, they can all be covered under plans issued by Indian companies—even if you're based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah.
Here’s how it works:
Eligible Family Members: Parents, spouse, children (dependent or student), and in some cases, in-laws.
Who Can Pay: You can pay using NRE/NRO bank accounts, international credit cards, or net banking.
Who'll Own: You’ll be the policy proposer; your family will be the insured.
Over the years, many insurers have started offering health insurance plans for NRIs, especially tailored to long-distance caregiving.
So what makes them different?
Online onboarding: You can complete the entire process digitally—no need to fly down.
Cashless treatment: Your family can walk into a network hospital and get treated without paying upfront.
No pre-policy medicals: Some plans waive this if your family is within a certain age or health bracket.
Servicing and claims: From reimbursement to renewal, everything can be managed online.
Not every plan suits every family. Here’s how I usually guide my clients when selecting health insurance for NRI family in UAE:
Factors to Consider:
Age of the insured: Senior citizen plans differ in features and premiums.
Health status: Pre-existing conditions may have waiting periods.
Location: Metro cities vs. tier-2 towns affect hospital network and treatment costs.
Plan type:
Individual Plan: One member, one premium.
Family Floater: One sum insured for spouse + kids. Cost-effective for young families.
Senior Citizen Plans: Tailored for older parents, with high coverage and minimal co-pay.
Lifetime renewability: Essential if you're insuring aging parents.
No-claim bonus: Helps to increase coverage every year when you don’t claim.
It’s easier than most people expect. Here's how How to buy Indian Health Insurance Plan as an NRI
What You’ll Need:
Copy of your passport and valid visa
Indian address proof (yours or of the insured)
Proposal form
KYC documents
Payment method
Once you upload these, most policies are approved within 48 hours.
And yes, renewals can be done online too, with reminders sent well in advance.
Here’s a pleasant surprise for many of my clients:
Even though you’re abroad, you can claim tax benefits. Under Section 80D, if you have taxable income in India, this is possible.
If you're paying for both your parents and your own family, the deduction doubles.
Even though buying insurance is easy, a few hiccups can come up:
Document mismatches: Happens when address proof doesn’t match the proposer or insured. Solution? Use joint documents or notarised copies.
Communication gaps: Parents in India may not understand the claims process. I usually recommend doing a quick video call to explain it to them post-purchase.
Missed renewals: To avoid this, always opt for annual auto-debit or set reminders.
Maybe you are far from your family. But that doesn’t mean you are powerless. Health emergencies are unpredictable. But preparation isn’t.
Wondering how to buy an Indian health insurance plan as an NRI? The answer is simple. Thoughtfully, digitally, and with the right guidance.
I’ve helped many NRIs across the UAE set up the right plan for their families—sometimes in a single day. If you're still unsure where to begin, don’t stress. Let’s talk, and I’ll help you figure it out.
Yes, NRIs can purchase Indian policies online for family members, or even for themselves if they visit India frequently.
Passport, visa copy, Indian address proof, KYC documents of the insured, and a filled proposal form.
An advisor understands both geographies—UAE and India—and can help you navigate eligibility, benefits, and claim processes more smoothly.
Yes. But you may face a waiting period of up to 4 years. Always check for it before finalising your plan.
If this still feels overwhelming, don’t worry. I help NRIs every week with questions just like yours.
Let’s connect.
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Client Relationship Architect
Zap. Insure. Nap Easy.
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