Difference Between Life Insurance And Health Insurance

Difference Between Life Insurance And Health Insurance

A comparison of life and health insurance based on coverage, benefits, and financial protection.

Written by : Knowledge Centre Team

2026-01-05

4547 Views

10 minutes read

Few things are as important financial life,  as life Insurance and health insurance. Life and health cover are both part of your financial plan and should be the first two investments out of your savings.

These two insurance plans form the core of your financial protection strategy. Life insurance secures your family's future in your absence, while health insurance shields your finances during medical emergencies. Knowing what each covers, and what it doesn’t, will help you avoid surprises and prepare better for risks.

Both the plans compulsorily serve the safety needs and protect you and your family financially. However, while buying, you should know which of your safety needs these plans will fulfil and which they won’t.

In this blog, we will discuss the difference between life insurance and health insurance in a simple and practical way.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Life and health insurance are the first two must-have investments from your savings.
  • Life insurance provides financial support to your family and helps clear debts in your absence.
  • Health insurance protects your savings from rising medical costs and offers cashless treatment.
  • Choose plans that offer growing cover, flexible payments, and rider options for added safety.
  • Together, these two plans secure your present needs and future goals with confidence.

 

What is Life Insurance Policy?

A life insurance policy is a financial agreement between you and the insurance company. The company promises to give a lump sum amount to your family if something unfortunate happens to you during the policy term.

This money can help your family pay off loans, meet everyday expenses, and achieve important milestones even in your absence . If you are the sole earning member of the family , life insurance becomes even more important.

Many life insurance plans also offer extra rider benefits. These riders give you more financial support in situations like a serious illness or a permanent disability during the policy term.

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Benefits of Life Insurance Policy

Here are some benefits of a life insurance policy that you should consider: 

  • Provides Financial Support to Your Family - Life insurance gives your family a lump sum amount if something unfortunate happens to you. This money can help them manage daily expenses, pay for children’s education, and cover future goals in your absence.
  • Helps Clear Debts and Liabilities - The death benefit from your life insurance plan can help your family repay any loans or debts you may leave behind. This ensures your family are not burdened with financial stress.
  • Offers Rider Benefits for Extra Protection - You can enhance your life cover with optional riders. For example, a critical illness rider gives extra money in a serious illness situation like cancer. It helps you manage medical costs better. 
  • Provides Savings and Investment Benefits - Some life insurance plans also offer savings or investment benefits. Along with life cover, these plans help you grow your wealth and achieve long-term financial goals.
  • Allows Flexibility in Premium Payment - Life insurance plans are flexible. You can choose how often you want to pay your premiums as monthly, quarterly, or yearly, based on your comfort and income flow.
  • Encourages Long-Term Financial Planning - You can use life insurance as a long-term investment. It helps you build a disciplined habit of saving and offers good financial support over time.
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Did You Know?

The total amount spent by Indian households on health and medical-related services in November 2022 was roughly ₹120 billion.

 

1.5cr Young term insurance

What Is Health Insurance?

Health insurance is an agreement between you and the insurance company. It promises to cover your medical expenses when you face a health issue like an illness, injury, or accident. It acts as a financial safety net and helps you manage unexpected medical costs.

Many health insurance plans also cover costs before and after hospitalisation. You can get treatment in some of the best hospitals across the country without paying anything upfront through cashless claims. If needed, you can also choose reimbursement after paying the bills.

You can also add extra benefits to your plan with add-on covers. These give you more protection and help you deal with specific medical needs. Today, you can easily compare different health insurance plans online and choose the one that fits your budget and health needs.

With rising medical costs and an unhealthy lifestyle becoming more common, health insurance has become more important than ever.

Benefits of Health Insurance 

Some benefits of health insurance are as follows :

  • Helps You Manage Medical Expenses: Health insurance gives you financial support to handle expenses related to illnesses, injuries, and hospital treatments. It helps you focus on recovery instead of worrying about costs.
  • Offers Cashless and Reimbursement Options: You can get treated in some of the best hospitals across India without paying upfront. Most health insurance plans offer cashless treatment or reimbursement, depending on what suits you best.
  • Allows You to Choose the Right Plan Type: You can pick from various plan types, like individual or family health insurance. These options help you customise the coverage as per your financial situation and healthcare needs.
  • Let's You Add Riders for Extra Benefits: Health insurance plans offer add-on riders that improve your regular policy. With these riders, you can cover critical illnesses, hospital cash, and more based on your needs.

Comparison Between Life and Health Insurance 

Let's understand the difference between life and health insurance in the form of a table:

Feature Life Insurance Health Insurance 

Coverage 

Covers the cost of your family’s survival in the case of your early demise or total disability

Covers the cost of hospitalisation, medical treatment, and health-related expenses

Amount Benefits

The benefit amount is fixed and guaranteed for payment to your family upon meeting the coverage conditions.

The amount of benefit the insurer will pay depends upon the amount actually spent on covered treatments and hospitalisation

Tax Rebate

Annual premiums are deductible under section 80C & section 10(10D)

Premium is deductible under section 80D

Deduction Limit

Max deduction in one financial year is ₹. 1.5 lakhs

Max deduction available can go up to ₹. 75,000

Others Features

You can invest and grow your money to meet your future financial goals as well.

This is not an investment plan. Will only protect from health-related contingencies.

With these two insurance plans, you can hope to cover two costly and unpredictable contingencies for your family. Apart from this and other asset insurance, you need to maintain an emergency fund pool.

How to Choose the Right Insurance Plan?

Whether it is life insurance or health cover, you should choose a plan which can stay relevant for a long period. For instance, your insurance cover need will keep rising whether it is health need or life cover. Here are two things that you must consider while buying a life insurance plan:

  • Growing Cover: So, if you are considering a plan to help your family survive after your demise (life insurance), you should look for a term plan which can grow with you. For example, the iSelect Smart360 Term Plan from Canara HSBC Life Insurance, allows you to increase your cover amount after three crucial life events – marriage, childbirth and home loan.
  • Regular Income Pay Out- Similarly, you can also choose to look for a benefit payment mode. Most, term insurance plans pay the death benefit in a lump sum to your nominees. Your nominees are then supposed to wisely invest this money towards:
    • Meeting their regular lifestyle expenses (generate regular income)
    • Achieving important future goals

    Investing money to generate income is easier said than done. So, why not get a term cover with the option to pay a regular sum to your nominees?

    If you plan to use a life insurance plan to meet your financial goal, you should choose a plan which:

    • Suits your investment risk appetite
    • Offers adequate protection for your goal
  • Flexible Premium Payment Options: You can choose premium payment modes that suit your financial comfort. Whether you prefer monthly, quarterly, or annual payments, flexible plans help maintain continuity. This option is useful if your income is seasonal or varies. Regular, manageable payments reduce pressure and keep your insurance active.
  • Riders for Enhanced Protection: You can boost your life insurance plan with riders like critical illness, accidental death, or disability coverage. These add-ons enhance your protection without requiring separate policies. Riders make your base plan more comprehensive and help you prepare better for unexpected life events and demand financial attention beyond death-related payouts.
  • Policy Customisation and Portability: You can customise your insurance policy to match your unique goals. Some plans let you choose your payout mode, coverage duration, and even add or remove features. If you change jobs or cities, portability ensures your protection stays uninterrupted. A custom and portable policy evolves with your life without losing relevance.

Conclusion

Life and health insurance are not just financial products, as they are long-term commitments to your family's security and your peace of mind. While life insurance ensures your loved ones remain financially stable in your absence, health insurance protects your savings during medical emergencies.

Canara HSBC Life Insurance offers a wide range of life insurance plans that help you stay protected, grow your wealth, and support your family. Explore the right cover today and take the next step toward complete financial security.

Glossary

  1. Medical Emergency: A sudden health condition requiring immediate medical attention.
  2. Critical Illness Rider: A term insurance add-on that provides a lump sum payout for severe illnesses
  3. Emergency Fund: Savings reserved for unexpected medical costs.
  4. Health Insurance Premium: The amount paid for insurance coverage.
  5. Family Floater Plan: A single health policy covering multiple family members.
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Uncertain About Insurance

Disclaimer - This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited or any affiliated entity. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the blog or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. You should consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances before taking any action based on the content provided herein.

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