What Documents You Need to Buy Health Insurance in 2025

When you decide to buy health insurance in 2025, one of the essential steps is completing the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. This requirement applies whether you are purchasing a new policy or renewing an existing one. Insurance providers are required to verify identity, address, and other details before issuing or renewing a policy. Having the proper documents ready makes the process smoother. Read on to know more.

Accepted Forms of KYC for Health Insurance Customers

The KYC process can be completed in multiple ways, depending on the insurer’s procedures. The recognised methods include:

• Aadhaar-based KYC using online authentication – This involves verifying details digitally using the Aadhaar database.
• Aadhaar-based KYC using offline authentication – Verification is done using an offline Aadhaar XML file or QR code.
• Video-Based Identification Process (VBIP) – A face-to-face verification through a secure video call.
• KYC Identification Number from the Central KYC Registry – A 14-digit number allocated after completing CKYC once.
• PAN Card or Form 60 – Used to verify identity and comply with financial regulations.
• Officially Valid Documents (OVDs) – As defined by regulatory authorities for identification purposes.

Documents Required for KYC

When you set out to buy medical insurance or renew a policy, insurers generally request the following documents:

1. PAN Card or Form 60 – Required for identification and financial record purposes

2. Valid ID Proof – Any one of these documents:

• Aadhaar Card
• Passport
• PAN Card
• Voter ID Card
• Driving Licence
• NREGA Job Card signed by a state government officer
• Letter from the National Population Register containing demographic details

3. Valid Address Proof – Any one of these documents:

• Aadhaar Card
• Passport
• PAN Card
• Voter ID Card
• Driving Licence
• Recent phone bill (not older than 2 months)
• Recent bank statement (not older than 2 months)
• Property or municipal tax receipt
• Recent utility bill such as electricity, water, or piped gas (not older than 2 months)

4. Passport-size Photograph – For official identification records.

KYC Norms for Health Insurance Companies

As guided by regulatory requirements, health insurance providers follow certain KYC norms when issuing or renewing health insurance plans. These include:

• Verifying the true identity, address, and photograph of the customer.
• Using reliable methods to collect the necessary details of new and existing customers for proper identification.
• Ensuring policies are not issued to anonymous or fictitious names.
• Verifying the legal status of customers working in the judiciary.
• Allowing customers to provide an address different from their Aadhaar Card, supported by a self-declaration.
• Checking officially valid documents if Aadhaar authentication is not possible due to age, illness, or injury.
• Collecting information from all available sources, including authorised agents.
• Ensuring that the health insurance premium is proportionate to the customer’s income.
• Filing a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) with the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) if there are doubts about a customer’s identity or transactions.

Key Points While Conducting KYC

For insurers processing KYC for new and existing customers, the following points are typically essential:

• Client Due Diligence (CDD) must be carried out for every new policyholder based on the KYC documents submitted.
• For existing policyholders, CDD should be done periodically, using the information available.
• KYC for Mediclaim customers must be updated within a specific timeframe, two years for low-risk customers and one year for others, including high-risk customers.
• Existing customers should be asked to submit their PAN Card or Form 60.
• Before making claim payments to the insured, beneficiaries, or legal heirs, insurers should complete necessary due diligence.
• Proposals from Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) must be reviewed by senior management.
• Policies should not be issued to individuals suspected of links with terrorist organisations or banned groups.

Why KYC Matters for Health Insurance?

Completing the KYC process is more than a formality. It ensures that medical insurance is issued only to verified individuals. This protects both the insurer and the policyholder, preventing misuse and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

For customers, completing KYC promptly helps avoid delays in policy issuance, renewal, or claim settlements. It also ensures smooth transactions when using online tools such as a health insurance premium calculator to plan coverage and estimate costs.

Preparing to Buy or Renew in 2025

If you are planning to buy health insurance in 2025, preparing your documents in advance can help speed up the process. Here’s a quick checklist:

• Keep your PAN Card or Form 60 ready.
• Choose one valid ID proof and one valid address proof from the accepted list.
• Ensure that your documents are current — for example, recent bills or statements should be within the two-month validity period.
• Have a clear, recent passport-size photograph available.

If you are an existing policyholder, check when your last KYC update was done. If it is due, submit your documents within the stipulated time to avoid issues during renewal.

Smooth Claim Processing Through Updated KYC

When you buy medical insurance, you hope you won’t need to make a claim, but having your KYC up to date ensures that if you do, the process is not held up. Before making claim payments, insurers review the KYC information on file. If documents are missing or outdated, the claim process can be delayed until verification is complete.

Conclusion

In 2025, whether you are taking a new policy or renewing an existing one, completing the KYC process is a necessary step for all health insurance customers. Having the correct documents ready, from identity and address proof to PAN or Form 60 and photographs, can make the process faster and easier.

Insurers are required to follow clear KYC norms, ensuring that policies are issued responsibly and only to verified individuals. Keeping your records updated is a simple way to make sure your health insurance plans remain active and that claims, if ever needed, can be processed without unnecessary delays.

Disclaimer: This content is for general information only. Please confirm exact requirements with your insurance provider before proceeding.