New Delhi, Sept. 20 -- Health insurance policies now offer several add-ons that can expand coverage beyond the basic hospitalisation benefits. These may include restoration of the sum insured, OPD cover, hospital cash, consumables cover and inflation protection. But each additional benefit can also push up the premium.

For consumers, the key question is whether the extra money is better spent on riders or on increasing the base sum insured.

Experts say the base cover should generally come first. Add-ons should be considered only after the core policy provides sufficient protection for the policyholder and their family.

"An adequate base sum insured should come first, as it protects against the overall cost of hospitalisation, while an ...