You need a signed proposal form, KYC through identity and address proof or a CKYC number and age proof for every insured member. Medical reports are usually needed only for applicants above 45 or those with pre-existing conditions. Individual and family floater premiums carry no GST since 22 September 2025, so the quote you see is the base premium.
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Most people learn which documents are required to buy health insurance only when the application stalls at the KYC page, where a PAN card refuses to double as address proof or the age certificate turns out to be in a cupboard in another city. A stalled proposal means delayed cover and past 45 it can also mean a medical test nobody warned you about. If you plan to buy health insurance online, the paperwork is lighter than most guides suggest. Here is what to keep ready.
Health Insurance Documents List: What Every Insurer Asks For
The list is short and most items have several acceptable substitutes.
Document |
Recommended accepted options |
When needed |
Identity proof | Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, driving licence, PAN, as applicable | For identity verification under the applicable KYC process |
Address proof | Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, driving licence or other permitted address evidence | When separate address verification is required |
Age proof | Birth certificate, passport, school certificate or other insurer-accepted proof | When age cannot be verified through existing records |
Proposal form | Completed digital or physical form with required authentication | When applying for insurance |
Medical reports | Existing medical records or tests requested by the insurer | Based on underwriting requirements |
Note: Document requirements vary by insurer, policy and KYC method. PAN can serve as identity evidence but is not ordinarily a standalone proof of residential address. Aadhaar is one available verification option, and insurers may request photographs or additional supporting documents where necessary.
KYC is where online applications get done or stuck. Insurers accept Aadhaar OTP, DigiLocker documents, video KYC or an existing CKYC number and anyone with a demat account or loan history may already hold one.
Age Proof and Medical Reports: Where Documents Matter Most
A missing ID costs you a day, whereas a missing disclosure can cost you a claim.
Age proof sets your premium band, so insurers do not accept a guess. For applicants above 45, many insurers also insist on a pre-policy medical check-up, paid by you first. IRDAI’s consumer education site says at least 50% may be reimbursed once the risk is accepted.
Declare all known pre-existing medical conditions and answer the insurer's health questions accurately, even if a condition is currently under control. Under IRDAI's moratorium provisions, after 60 continuous months of health insurance coverage, the insurer cannot contest the policy or a claim on grounds of non-disclosure or misrepresentation, except in cases of established fraud. If you increase your sum insured, a separate 60-month period applies to the enhanced portion. Before the moratorium ends, material non-disclosure can affect claim eligibility. Buying for parents above 60? See our senior citizen health insurance page for how underwriting changes.
Buy Health Insurance Online or Offline: Steps and Extra Documents
The online route is quicker mainly because KYC happens through one OTP instead of photocopies.
- Check the estimated premium on the health insurance premium calculator.
- Complete KYC through the verification method supported by your insurer, such as Aadhaar-based verification, eligible digital documents or CKYC.
- Fill out the proposal form accurately, disclose your medical history and submit it through the prescribed process.
- Complete any medical examination or additional verification requested by the insurer. Follow the insurer's payment instructions and confirm that the policy has been issued.
- Once you receive the policy documents, review the coverage, exclusions and conditions within the applicable 30-day free-look period.
If you are switching insurers, you must also complete the portability documentation requested by the new insurer and provide your existing policy details. Under IRDAI's portability framework, the existing insurer must share the required policy and claim information within 72 hours of receiving the request. The new insurer must communicate its decision within five days after receiving that information. Ideally, submit your portability request between 60 and 30 days before your current policy's renewal date. Our guide on health insurance portability covers the rest.
Health Insurance Premium in 2026: GST and Test Costs
GST on individual health insurance, family floaters included, fell from 18% to nil from 22 September 2025, though group policies still attract it. The only likely extra is the medical test and half of it can come back to you.
Not sure which papers your insurer will insist on? SMC Insurance advisors can check your profile before you apply, so the proposal clears in one attempt. Start at SMC Insurance or call 1800 2666 3666.
Documents Required for a Health Insurance Claim
Claims ask less of you. Under IRDAI’s 2024 master circular, insurers and TPAs collect the documents from the hospital and cashless approval is due within one hour. Still, carry your policy copy and photo ID and keep bills if you claim later.
Wrapping Up,
Buying health insurance needs fewer documents than the internet suggests. KYC, age proof for each member and a signed proposal form cover most people, with medical reports added for older applicants or existing conditions. Paperwork rarely causes rejection; incomplete disclosure does. So list every condition and keep age proof handy before you start. Check whether a CKYC number already exists in your name. Finish any medical test early and use the free look period to read the wording properly.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this platform is intended for general awareness and educational purposes. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, some details may change with policy updates, regulatory revisions, or insurer-specific modifications. Readers should verify current terms and conditions directly with relevant insurers or through professional consultation before making any decision.
All views and analyses presented are based on publicly available data, internal research and other sources considered reliable at the time of writing. These do not constitute professional advice, recommendations, or guarantees of any product’s performance. Readers are encouraged to assess the information independently and seek qualified guidance suited to their individual requirements. Customers are advised to review official sales brochures, policy documents and disclosures before proceeding with any purchase or commitment.
FAQs
Mostly KYC through Aadhaar OTP, DigiLocker or a CKYC number, plus a signed digital proposal form. Age proof and medical reports are requested only when underwriting needs them.
No, Aadhaar is accepted for KYC, but a passport, voter ID or driving licence works too. PAN verifies identity only, so you would need a separate address proof.
Not for everyone. Insurers usually ask when you are above 45, pick a high sum insured or declare a pre-existing condition. Half the cost may be reimbursed on acceptance.
Identity proof and relationship proof, such as a marriage certificate for a spouse or a birth certificate for a child. A medical report may follow if the member has an existing illness.
The insurer can reject a claim for non-disclosure until you complete 60 continuous months of cover. After that, only proven fraud allows it, so declare everything upfront.
