How to spot a health insurance scam?

health insurance scams can be surprisingly convincing. Here’s how to spot and avoid them 👇

🧠 1. Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers

If the plan promises “full coverage for $20/month” or “instant approval — no medical questions asked”, be cautious. Real insurance always has:

Clear premium, deductible, and co-pay details
Medical underwriting or eligibility checks

📞 2. High-Pressure Sales Tactics

Scammers often say things like:

“This offer expires today!”
“You must pay now to keep your benefits.”
Legitimate agents never pressure you into paying or sharing info immediately.

💳 3. Requests for Upfront Payment or Personal Info

Be alert if they ask for:

Bank account or credit card details before you see a policy
Your Social Security number (SSN) or Aadhaar (in India) right away
Always verify the insurer before sharing sensitive info.

🌐 4. Fake or Misleading Websites

Watch for:

Slight misspellings of well-known companies (e.g., “bluecrosss.com”)
No contact details or physical address
Only a “Contact Us” form — no phone number or license info

✅ Tip: Use the official website of your country’s insurance regulator (e.g., IRDAI in India, FCA in the UK, HealthCare.gov in the US) to check if the company or agent is registered.

🧾 5. No Policy Documents

A real insurer provides:

A policy document outlining coverage, exclusions, and cancellation terms
A customer service number and a policy number
Scammers often give only a vague confirmation email or “membership card.”

🕵️ 6. Unlicensed Agents

Ask for the agent’s license number and verify it online through your regulator’s portal.
If they refuse or say “I’m not required to have one,” that’s a red flag.

🚨 7. Fake Government or Association Claims

Phrases like: