Are you looking for the right health insurance for yourself and your family? If yes, then you are at the right place! Today we will talk about the best health insurance plans of 2025, which will not only cover your healthcare expenses but will also give you peace of mind. We have analyzed a lot of policies over the years, and today we will tell you the details of the plans of the top 5-6 companies, which repeatedly come on top. So let’s get started and know which policy is best for you!
Why is Health Insurance Necessary?
In today’s time, medical expenses are skyrocketing. Even a small illness can be heavy on your pocket. This is why it is very important to choose the right health insurance policy. Whether you are young or your parents are over 65, a good health insurance plan ensures your financial security. In this blog, we will compare top plans like HDFC Ergo, Niva Bupa, Care Supreme, Aditya Birla, Bajaj Allianz, and ICICI Lombard and tell you what makes them special.
Top Health Insurance Companies and Their Plans
We have analysed these policies on various parameters like claim settlement ratio, cover amount, room rent limits, and add-on benefits. Below is the table that compares some of the key policies and their specifications:
Policy Specifications
| Policy | Key Specifications |
|---|---|
| HDFC Ergo Optima Secure | Max Cover: 1-2 Cr, No maximum age limit, 2-3X cover from day 1, 4X restoration benefit |
| Care Supreme | Max Cover: 1-2 Cr, Cover upto 5X bonus, Unlimited restoration, Wellness benefits |
| Niva Bupa | Max Cover: 1-2 Cr, Booster Plus up to 10X (Platinum/Titanium), Age Lock feature |
| Aditya Birla Activ One Max | Max Cover: 1-2 Cr, Chronic Disease Cover from Day-1, 5X Super Credit, 90 days pre-hospitalization |
| Bajaj Allianz | Max Cover: 50 Lakh, Maternity Benefit, 90 days post-hospitalization, 1X Restoration |
| ICICI Lombard Max Protect | Max Cover: 10 Cr/Unlimited, Entry up to 65 years, Global Cover, Non-Payable Items Cover |
1. HDFC Ergo Optima Secure
HDFC Ergo’s Optima Secure plan is great for those who want high cover and cost-effective options. In this policy, you get 2X cover from day-1, which can go up to 3X. If you take a cover of 50 lakhs, you can get a cover of up to 1.5 crores. Apart from this, its Optima Super Secure plan offers 5X cover, which also includes a one-time restoration benefit. Its most special feature? No room rent limit! You can check its details by visiting the HDFC Ergo site.
2. Care Supreme
Care Supreme is best for those who want long-term benefits. In this, you get 1X cover bonus every year, which can go up to 5X. Also, you can get extra discounts through unlimited restoration benefits and wellness programs like daily steps tracking. Pre and post-hospitalization cover is also great in this plan of Care Insurance.
3. Niva Bupa
Niva Bupa’s plan is perfect for those who do not want to increase the premium for a long time. Its age lock feature ensures that if you do not make a claim, your premium will not increase for 10 years. Platinum and Titanium plans offer booster plus cover up to 10X, which is best for those under 35 years of age. You will get complete information about its plans on the website of Niva Bupa.
4. Aditya Birla Activ One Max
This plan of Aditya Birla is especially for those who have chronic diseases like diabetes, high BP, or asthma. These diseases are covered from day-1, which makes it unique. Also, 90 days pre-hospitalization cover and 5X super credit make it more attractive. You can check its features on Aditya Birla Health.
5. Bajaj Allianz
Bajaj Allianz plan is special for maternity benefits. However, its maximum cover is limited to 50 lakhs, which is less than other policies. Still, if you want maternity cover, this could be a good option. You can check its details by visiting Bajaj Allianz’s site.
6. ICICI Lombard Max Protect
ICICI Lombard’s Max Protect plan is for those who want high cover and global coverage. It offers cover up to Rs 10 Cr, and is valid even outside India. The special thing is that it also covers non-payable items like PPE kits, masks, etc. However, its entry age is limited to 65 years. You can get complete information about it on ICICI Lombard’s website.
Special Features of the Policies
Room Rent Limits
The good thing is that there is no limit on room rent in all these policies. Only ICICI does not cover sweet rooms, which is still fine.
Restoration Benefit
Niva Bupa, ICICI, Aditya Birla, and Care offer unlimited restoration benefit, while HDFC and Bajaj have 1X restoration.
Pre-existing Illness
As per the new rules of IRDAI, now the waiting period for pre-existing illness is maximum 3 years. In ICICI Elevate, this can be reduced to 2 years if you take the Jump Start add-on.
Non-Payable Items
HDFC, Aditya Birla, Bajaj, Care, and ICICI cover non-payable items (such as PPE kits, syringes) in their base policies. In other policies, an add-on has to be taken for this, which can increase the premium by 5-10%.
OPD and E-consultation
OPD cover is available as an add-on in all policies, which is useful for small expenses (such as doctor consultation, blood test). E-consultation is available in almost all policies, which is especially useful for people with chronic diseases and the elderly.
Premium Comparison
Premium for ₹50 Lakh cover (1 Cr for ICICI Max Protect) in Delhi for a 30 year old non-smoker male:
| Policy | Premium (Approx/Year) |
|---|---|
| HDFC Ergo Optima Secure | ₹15,000-18,000 |
| Care Supreme | ₹16,000-19,000 |
| Niva Bupa | ₹17,000-20,000 |
| Aditya Birla Activ One Max | ₹16,500-19,500 |
| Bajaj Allianz | ₹14,000-16,000 |
| ICICI Lombard Max Protect | ₹22,000-25,000 (1 Cr cover) |
Note: Premium includes consumables cover. For the exact premium, you will need to calculate it based on your age, location, and cover amount.
Top 3 Policies: Our Recommendation
If we had to pick the top 3 policies, we would suggest:
- HDFC Ergo Optima Super Secure: High cover, cost-effective, and up to 5X restoration benefit.
- Aditya Birla Activ One Max: Day-1 cover for chronic diseases and 90 days pre-hospitalization.
- ICICI Lombard Max Protect: High cover (up to Rs 10 Cr) and global coverage, especially for travelers.
If you have a pre-existing illness, ICICI Elevate can be a better option as its waiting period can be reduced to 3 years (or 30 days with Jump Start add-on).
How to Choose the Right Policy?
Keep these things in mind while choosing a policy:
- Cover amount: Choose a cover between Rs 50 Lakh and Rs 2 Cr depending on your needs. It is not necessary to take unlimited cover.
- Pre-existing diseases: If you have diseases like diabetes, BP, then Aditya Birla or ICICI Elevate are better.
- Add-on riders: Do check riders with non-payable items and OPD cover.
- Premium: Compare premiums according to your budget. Cheaper is not always better.
If you are still confused about which policy is best for you, book a free consultation with Ditto Insurance. Ditto, which runs with the support of Zomato, makes your insurance journey easy. It manages everything from finding the best policy to the claim process for free. A rating of 4.9 with 10,000+ reviews on Google and a spam-free policy make it trustworthy.
Conclusion
Choosing the right health insurance in 2025 is very important for the financial security of you and your family. Plans like HDFC Ergo, Care Supreme, Niva Bupa, Aditya Birla, Bajaj Allianz, and ICICI Lombard are great options for different needs. Choose the right policy based on your needs, budget, and health conditions. And if you need guidance, book a free consultation with Ditto Insurance and make your insurance journey as smooth as butter!
FAQs
Is it possible to get health insurance for people above 65 years of age?
Yes, there is no maximum age limit in HDFC Ergo, Niva Bupa, Care Supreme, Aditya Birla, and Bajaj Allianz. Only ICICI Lombard allows entry up to 65 years.
Which is the best policy for pre-existing diseases?
Aditya Birla Activ One Max and ICICI Elevate are best as they cover chronic diseases from day-1 and the waiting period can be as low as 3 years (or 30 days).
What are non-payable items and why is it important to cover them?
Non-payable items such as PPE kits, syringes, masks, etc. can account for 15-20% of the hospital bill. These are covered in the base policies of HDFC, Aditya Birla, Bajaj, Care, and ICICI.
What is OPD cover and should it be taken?
OPD cover includes expenses like doctor consultation, blood tests. It is available as an add-on to all policies and is beneficial for small expenses.
What is Ditto Insurance and how does it help?
Ditto Insurance is a free consultation service that helps in finding the best policy, processing claims, and managing premiums. It is supported by Zomato and has a Google rating of 4.9.
