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Best Health Insurance Plans in India — Compare & Buy Plans Online

Cover Your Health in 5 Minutes. Compare Premium. Buy Now.

Choosing the right health insurance plan is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make for yourself and your family. As one of India’s most trusted insurance brokers, Probus gives you access to the

best health insurance plans from 47+ top health insurance companies in India — all in one place.  

What is Health Insurance? Why It Matters for Every Indian Family

Health insurance is a financial safety net that covers the cost of medical treatment, hospitalisation, and related expenses. In exchange for a regular premium, your insurer pays for covered medical bills — protecting your savings from unexpected healthcare costs.

With medical inflation in India rising at over 14% annually, a single hospitalisation can cost ₹2–₹5 lakh or more. Without a medical insurance plan, that bill comes directly from your pocket.

Three reasons every Indian needs health insurance today:

•       Medical inflation is rising 14% yearly — healthcare costs double every 5 years

•       Lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension are rising sharply in people under 40

•       Employer health cover ends when your job ends — individual cover protects you always

A best health insurance plan is not an expense — it is the most important financial protection you can buy for your family.

Why Probus is Among the Best Medical Insurance Companies to Buy From

When you compare health insurance plans through Probus Insurance Broker, you are not limited to one insurer’s products. Here is what makes Probus the smarter choice:

47+ top health insurance companies in India — on a single platform — more choice, better comparison
Unbiased recommendations — we show you the best plan for your needs, not the most profitable one for us
Instant quotes — compare premiums, coverage, and claim ratios side by side in minutes
Dedicated claims support — our team assists you through every step of the claims process
100% digital — buy, renew, and manage your mediclaim policy entirely online
IRDAI-licensed broker — regulated, trusted, and fully compliant — license no. 150

Best Health Insurance Plans in India 2026 — Compare Top Options

Finding the right medical insurance plan depends on your age, family size, health history, and budget. Use the comparison below to shortlist plans before you buy. All plans are available through Probus — compare premiums, sum insured, and claim ratios in one place.

What is Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR)? ICR is the percentage of premiums paid out as claims. Higher ICR = insurer pays more claims = more reliable for policyholders.

Health Insurance Plan

Insurer

Sum Insured

Claim Ratio

Network Hospitals

Active Assure Diamond Plan

Aditya Birla Health

₹2L – ₹2Cr

59%

8,000+

Health Guard Plan

Bajaj Allianz

₹1.5L – ₹50L

85%

6,500+

Smart Health Assure Plan

Bharti AXA

₹3L – ₹5L

89%

4,300+

Digital Health Plan

Digit Health Insurance

₹2L – ₹25L

11%

5,900+

Health Protector Plus

IFFCO Tokio

₹2L – ₹25L

102%

5,000+

Health Connect Supra Top-up

Liberty Health Insurance

Up to ₹1Cr

82%

3,000+

Companion Individual Plan

Niva Bupa

₹3L – ₹1Cr

54%

4,115+

Pro Health Plan

ManipalCigna

₹2.5L – ₹1Cr

62%

6,500+

Individual Mediclaim Plan

Oriental Health Insurance

₹1L – ₹10L

108.80%

4,300+

Family Health Optima Plan

Star Health Insurance

₹1L – ₹25L

63%

10,200+

Tata AIG Medicare Plan

Tata AIG Health Insurance

₹2L – ₹10L

78%

3,000+

National Parivar Mediclaim Plus

National Insurance

Up to ₹50L

107.64%

6,000+

* Disclaimer: Claim ratios sourced from IRDAI annual report. Sum insured from respective plan brochures. Subject to change.

Types of Health Insurance Plans in India

Understanding the different types of medical insurance plans helps you pick the right coverage for your situation. Each type is designed for a specific need — choosing the wrong one means either overpaying or being underinsured.

1. Individual Health Insurance Plans

Covers one person for hospitalisation, pre and post-hospitalisation expenses, diagnostic tests, and consultation fees.

  •       Best for: Working individuals who want dedicated personal coverage
  •       Premium is lower than family plans — covers only one person
  •       Does not cover other family members — each person needs a separate policy
2. Family Health Insurance Plans

A family health insurance plan covers your entire family — spouse, children, and sometimes parents — under a single shared sum insured.

  •       One policy covers up to 15 family members in select plans
  •       Single premium is almost always cheaper than buying separate individual policies
  •       Sum insured is shared — if one member makes a large claim, others have less cover remaining
  •       Best for: Young families looking for comprehensive, affordable health insurance
3. Senior Citizen Health Insurance

Specifically designed for individuals above 60 years. Addresses higher medical needs — including pre-existing condition coverage after a waiting period.

  • IRDAI mandates entry age between 60–65 years
  • Waiting period for pre-existing conditions: 1–4 years depending on plan
  • Premiums are higher than younger-age plans — buy early to lock in lower rates
4. Critical Illness Insurance

Pays a lump sum on diagnosis of life-threatening conditions — not tied to hospital bills.

  • Covers: cancer, heart attack, kidney failure, organ transplant, stroke, paralysis
  • Lump sum covers income loss, home care, recovery — not just hospital costs
  • Best used as a top-up over a base health insurance plan
5. Maternity Insurance

Covers pregnancy-related expenses including pre/post-natal care, delivery, newborn care, and emergency transport.

  • Waiting period: typically up to 4 years — buy early before planning
  • Can be added as a rider to individual or
6. Group Health Insurance

Employer-provided coverage for employees and optionally their families.

  • No medical tests required for enrolment
  • Pre-existing conditions often covered from day one
  • Coverage ends when you leave the company — always have a personal backup plan

Mediclaim Policy vs Health Insurance — Key Differences

Many people use these terms interchangeably, but a mediclaim policy and a comprehensive health insurance plan are not the same. Here is a clear breakdown so you can choose the right product for your needs.

Feature

Health Insurance

Mediclaim Policy

Coverage Scope

Hospitalisation + pre/post + critical illness + OPD + day care

Hospitalisation and accidents only

Number of Claims

Unlimited per year — no cap on frequency

Per claim — cashless or reimbursement

Sum Assured

100% reloading available in most plans

Pre-determined fixed sum — no reloading

Add-On Coverage

Critical illness, maternity, accident, disability riders

No add-ons available

Treatment Covered

20+ critical illnesses, AYUSH, day care procedures

Accidents and basic hospitalisation only

Pre & Post Hospitalisation

30–60 days before, 60–180 days after discharge

Hospitalisation period only

Portability

Full portability — switch without losing benefits

Limited portability options

Best Suited For

Comprehensive protection for individuals & families

Basic, low-cost hospitalisation cover

Bottom line: If you want basic hospitalisation cover at the lowest cost, a mediclaim policy works. If you want complete financial protection for your family, a comprehensive health insurance plan is the right choice.

How to Get Affordable Health Insurance Without Compromising Coverage

Getting affordable health insurance does not mean settling for less. These 6 tips help you maximise coverage while keeping premiums manageable:

  1. Buy young. Premiums are lowest when you are young and healthy. A 25-year-old pays 40–60% less than a 45-year-old for the same coverage. Every year you delay costs more.

     

  2. Choose the right sum insured. A ₹5L cover may seem enough today, but medical inflation makes ₹10–₹25L the recommended minimum for urban families. Underinsurance is the biggest mistake buyers make.

     

  3. Go for a family floater. A single family health insurance plan is almost always more affordable than separate individual policies. One premium covers the whole household.

     

  4. Compare before you buy. Comparing health insurance plans from multiple top health insurance companies in India ensures you get the best premium — not just what one insurer is offering you.

     

  5. Opt for a co-payment. If you are young and healthy, choosing a plan with a small co-pay (10–20%) reduces your annual premium significantly.

   6. Add a super top-up plan. Buy a smaller base policy + a super top-up for higher coverage at a lower
       combined premium than a large base plan alone.

Key Features & Benefits of Health Insurance Plans

  • Lifetime Renewability — IRDAI mandates lifelong renewal. You cannot be denied renewal based on age or claim history.

     

  • Cashless Treatment — Get treated at network hospitals without paying upfront. The insurer settles directly with the hospital.

     

  • No Claim Bonus (NCB) — No claims in a policy year? Your sum insured increases by 10–50% at no extra cost.

     

  • Portability — Switch insurers without losing accumulated benefits or waiting period credits.

     

  • Pre & Post-Hospitalisation — Covered 30–60 days before admission and 60–180 days after discharge — medicines, tests, and consultations included.

     

  • Day Care Procedures — Chemotherapy, dialysis, cataract surgery — treatments under 24 hours are covered in most modern plans.

     

  • AYUSH Coverage — Ayurvedic, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathic treatments covered in select plans.

    No Medical Tests up to Age 45 — Most insurers skip the pre-policy medical exam for applicants under
    45 — faster and simpler onboarding.

Factors That Affect Your Health Insurance Premium

Understanding what drives your premium helps you make smarter choices when you compare health insurance plans. Here is a full breakdown with actionable tips for each factor:

Factor

How It Affects Premium

Tip to Manage Cost

Age

Premiums rise sharply after 45. Younger applicants pay far less.

Buy before age 30 for the lowest lifetime cost.

Sum Insured

Higher coverage = higher premium. ₹25L costs more than ₹5L.

Minimum ₹10–₹25L recommended for urban families.

Family Size

Each added member increases total premium.

A family floater is cheaper than individual policies.

Pre-existing Conditions

Diabetes, hypertension, heart conditions = higher premium or waiting period.

Disclose all conditions — non-disclosure causes claim rejection.

BMI

Higher BMI = higher health risk = higher premium.

Healthy weight can reduce your premium at renewal.

Location

Metro residents pay more due to higher hospital costs.

Compare plans with strong networks in your city.

Profession

High-risk jobs attract higher premiums.

Desk job professionals get the lowest occupational risk rates.

Medical History

Family history of cancer or heart disease raises risk.

Consider a critical illness rider if family history is present.

Policy Tenure

2–3 year policies attract discounts vs annual renewal.

Lock in current rates with a 2-year policy.

How to Compare the Best Health Insurance Plans in India

Comparing medical insurance plans online through Probus takes under 5 minutes. Here is how:

  1.   Enter your age, city, and number of family members to be covered
  2.   Select your desired sum insured (minimum ₹10L recommended for urban buyers)
  3.   View side-by-side premium quotes from top health insurance companies in India
  4. Compare features, network hospitals, claim ratios, and exclusions
  5. Select the best plan and complete your purchase entirely online
  6. Policy document delivered to your email instantly

No agents. No paperwork. No pressure.

When comparing, pay attention to these 4 things beyond the premium: claim settlement ratio, network hospital count in your city, sub-limits on room rent, and waiting period for pre-existing conditions.

What Your Health Insurance Plan Covers — Inclusions

  • Hospitalisation — room rent, surgery, ICU, nursing charges
  • Pre-hospitalisation expenses — 30 to 60 days before admission
  • Post-hospitalisation expenses — 60 to 180 days after discharge
  • Day care treatments — dialysis, chemotherapy, cataract surgery
  • Ambulance charges
  • Preventive health check-ups
  • Organ donor expenses
  • Maternity and newborn cover (in applicable plans)
  • AYUSH treatments — Ayurvedic, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathic (in applicable plans)
  • COVID-19 hospitalisation

What Health Insurance Does Not Cover — Exclusions

  • Dental treatment and cosmetic surgery (unless resulting from accident)
  • Pre-existing diseases during the waiting period
  • Vision and hearing correction
  • HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases
  • Non-allopathic treatment (unless specifically included in the plan)
  • Self-inflicted injuries
  • Injuries due to war or nuclear activity
  • Consumables beyond the policy sub-limit

Note: Exclusions vary by insurer and plan. Always read the policy wording before purchase. Probus advisors can walk you through the exclusions of any specific plan before you commit.

How to File a Health Insurance Claim

Cashless Claim Process
  • Inform your insurer at least 48 hours before planned hospitalisation (or within 24 hours for emergencies)
  • Show your health card at the TPA desk of any network hospital
  • Submit required documents — ID proof, doctor’s letter, filled claim form
  • Insurer directly settles the bill with the hospital — you pay nothing
Reimbursement Claim Process
  • Pay all medical bills at the time of treatment and collect all receipts
  • Collect original bills, discharge summary, prescriptions, and diagnostic reports
  • Submit the claim form with all documents to your insurer within the stipulated time
  • Insurer reviews and reimburses the approved amount to your bank account
Documents Required for Claim
  • Duly filled and signed claim form
  • Valid identity proof — Aadhaar or PAN
  • Original pharmacy bills and prescriptions
  • Hospital discharge summary
  • Diagnostic test reports
  • Doctor’s referral and consultation notes
  • Ambulance receipt (if applicable)
  • Policy details — policy number and insured name

Frequently Asked Questions — Health Insurance in India

There is no single best health insurance company in India for everyone — the right insurer depends on your age, health condition, city, family size, and budget. Top health insurance companies in India include Star Health, Niva Bupa, Aditya Birla Health, HDFC ERGO, Care Health, Bajaj Allianz, and Tata AIG. Comparing plans side by side at Probus gives you an unbiased view of which insurer offers the best coverage for your specific needs.

The best family health insurance plan provides a shared sum insured of at least Rs.10–25 lakh, covers all family members including children and parents, includes cashless treatment at hospitals near you, and has a high claim settlement ratio. Star Health Family Optima, Niva Bupa ReAssure, and Aditya Birla Activ Health are among the most popular family floater plans available.

A mediclaim policy is a basic hospitalisation cover that reimburses your hospital bills up to the sum insured. Health insurance is broader — it covers critical illnesses, pre and post-hospitalisation, day care procedures, maternity, and more. A mediclaim policy is a subset of health insurance, not a replacement for it.

For an individual in a metro city, a minimum sum insured of Rs.10 lakh is recommended given current healthcare costs. For a family of four, Rs.15–25 lakh as a family health insurance floater plan is advisable. If you have a history of critical illness in your family, add a critical illness rider on top of your base plan.

Affordable health insurance plans start at as low as Rs.300–500 per month for young individuals with a Rs.5 lakh sum insured. Comparing medical insurance plans online ensures you find the lowest premium for your required coverage. Buying a family floater instead of individual policies also significantly reduces the total premium.

Yes — Probus Insurance lets you compare health insurance plans from 47+ top health insurance companies in India on a single platform. You can filter by premium, sum insured, network hospitals, and claim ratio to find the plan that best fits your needs and budget.

Buying health insurance online is faster, more transparent, and often cheaper — insurers pass on the savings from lower distribution costs. You can read the full policy document before purchasing, compare multiple medical insurance plans simultaneously, and complete the entire process in under 10 minutes.

Yes, but after a waiting period — typically 2 to 4 years depending on the insurer and the condition. Conditions like diabetes and hypertension are covered after the waiting period lapses. It is critical to disclose all pre-existing conditions honestly when buying — non-disclosure can lead to claim rejection.

Yes. Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, you can claim a tax deduction of up to Rs.25,000 for premiums paid for yourself and your family, and an additional Rs.25,000–50,000 for premiums paid for your parents — depending on their age.

Most health insurance companies in India reward claim-free years with a No Claim Bonus (NCB) — your sum insured is increased by 10–50% at no extra cost. Some insurers also offer premium discounts on renewal. The NCB accumulates year on year up to a defined maximum.

For senior citizens, the best medical insurance companies in India include Star Health Senior Citizens Red Carpet, Niva Bupa Senior First, and Care Health Senior. Key things to look for: high sum insured, low co-payment, wide hospital network, and shorter waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.

When comparing family health insurance plans, check: total sum insured for the family, whether parents can be included, claim settlement ratio of the insurer, number of network hospitals near your home or workplace, sub-limits on room rent and ICU, and whether maternity is covered. Probus lets you compare all these factors side by side across 47+ insurers.

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