​There are many things which can be explained, but certain things can only be realized. For instance, you can definitely inform someone about benefits of health insurance, but the importance of having a health insurance policy can only be realized. So was the case with my family…
 
On one side, was me who wanted to get a critical illness insurance policy for my parents; and on the other side were my parents who were not in favour of having any such policies. While I made ever possible attempt to make them understand the importance of having a critical illness insurance, they not only remained immune to my logics but also had their own version of arguments.
 
According to my father, there was no chance that he would fall unwell with something as critical that he needs to worry about.  
 
And my mother’s argument was, “God is there to takes care of all.”
 
Whenever I tried to convince them on this regard, they flatly refused on grounds of some lame excuses. To me, it started looking like that either they were of the opinion that taking a such an insurance policy would definitely make them prone to critical illness; or they considered taking insurance as waste of money.
 
However, myself being from insurance industry, I kept trying to convince them in all possible way but with zero result. At times when things seem to be beyond your reach, it is often said to wait for the right time. Perhaps, my timing was wrong, so started waiting for the right time, right day…
 
October 1, 2010, around 11:40 pm…our phone rang. A late night call or call in any odd hour is generally alarming. On similar expectations, this call too wasn’t a pleasant one. The call was from my aunty.
 
In a feeble voice, my aunty informed us that my uncle was Hospitalized at Sri Ramachandra Medical College for respiratory distress. She said that uncle was in the causality and needs to be taken to ICU.
 
It was a shocking incident for all of us. Just one call from my aunty and we all went numb ….
 
Just a week back I, along with my mother, met my uncle in market. Then he was very normal and now he was in the Hospital Causality. There was a panic in family. My aunty was looking for a monetary support as she had only Rs. 2000/- with her, but Hospital asked for a  deposit of Rs. 20,000/-. We immediately left for the Hospital. It was very pitiable to see different types of patients and their attendees in the causality.
 
My eyes were searching for my uncle and aunt…. after looking around for a couple of minutes, I finally traced them in the not so comforting assemblage.
 
My aunt was in tears. She held mine and my brother’s hands and kept crying. My uncle and aunty didn’t have children, and so their entire love and affection was showered on me and brother. We too loved them the same way. And in this dire situation, it was our duty to take care of their needs and make sure uncle gets best possible treatment.
 
My Brother rushed to the admission counter and paid the required sum of money, following which the hospital staffs moved uncle to ICU and the treatment started.
 
After a long wait we were told that uncle was now out of danger. However, he was asked to stay in hospital for few more days.  
 
Every day one of us – my parents, my brother and myself – visited the hospital to see my uncle and find out about his health conditions. After a wait of 9 days, my uncle was to be discharged, when the hospital administration handed us with a bill of around Rs. 94000/- and balance  of Rs. 74000/-. I, my brother and some of our relatives together settled the bill.


It was after this incident that my parents realized the importance and need of having a critical illness insurance in place. After seeing a healthy and fit person like my uncle going through such a situation, my parents realized that critical illness can hit anyone, anytime. Moreover, it is not necessary that every time there will be someone to take care of the situation on your behalf. It was after this episode that my parents asked me to insure them under a critical illness policy.
 
And today, I am ready and so are my parents to fight any critical situation as we are insured under an umbrella of critical illness policy.
 
Article by Latha Dharneedharan