In 2025, India’s health insurance market has become more competitive and consumer-friendly. When choosing a plan, factors like claim settlement ratio, network hospitals, and unique benefits are crucial. Below we compare the leading Top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India (in no particular order), summarizing their strengths for this year. For each insurer we list the name, website, latest claim-settlement ratio, number of cashless network hospitals, key features, plan types, and why it stands out in 2025.
1. Star Health & Allied Insurance Company
- Website: starhealth.in
- Claim Settlement Ratio (2023-24): 82.31% (claims settled within 3 months).
- Network Hospitals: 14,000+ cashless hospitals nationwide.
- Plan Types: Stand-alone health specialist; offers comprehensive plans including Family Floater, Senior Citizen, Critical Illness, Individual and Personal Accident policies.
- Key Features: India’s first standalone health insurer (incorporated 2006) with a very wide hospital network; covers AYUSH (alternative medicine) treatments and domiciliary/ day-care procedures. Star Health provides rapid claims processing (claims can be settled in as little as 2 hours) and wellness programs.
- Why It Stands Out (2025): As a pioneer in health insurance, Star Health leverages its huge network (14,000+ hospitals) and specialized products (e.g. Star Super Star and Star Health Gain) to maintain a strong market position. Its claim settlement ratio may be lower than some peers, but it still paid the highest number of claims due to its large customer base. In 2025 Star Health continues to focus on customer support and unique covers (like cardiac-disease-specific plans and renewal discounts for healthy habits) top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
2. Care Health Insurance (formerly Religare)
- Website: careinsurance.com
- Claim Settlement Ratio (2023-24): 92.77%.
- Network Hospitals: 11,400+ cashless hospitals across India.
- Plan Types: Stand-alone health insurer; products include Floater, Individual, Senior Citizen, Critical Illness, Health Return Plans, etc., plus micro-insurance schemes for rural areas.
- Key Features: Care Health is known for innovative products and a vast provider tie-up. It offers micro-insurance for low-income customers, Ultimate Care, Care Supreme, and Care Cancer Care plans. It also covers advanced treatments (robotic surgery, stem cell therapy, etc.) and wellness benefits. Care’s portal includes online claim-filing and 24/7 customer support.
- Why It Stands Out (2025): Care has one of the highest 3-month settlement ratios among stand-alone insurers, signaling prompt payouts. The company emphasizes preventive health – many plans include annual check-ups. Care’s network (11,400+ hospitals) and strong rural outreach make it a market leader. In 2025, Care continues to invest in technology (AI for claim adjudication) and community health programs, reinforcing its reputation for customer service and inclusive coverage top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
3. Niva Bupa Health Insurance (Max Bupa & Niva merged)
- Website: nivabupa.com
- Claim Settlement Ratio (2023-24): 92.02%.
- Network Hospitals: ~10,000+ cashless hospitals (10K+ hospitals and providers).
- Plan Types: Offers Individual, Family Floater, Senior Citizen, Critical Illness, Maternity, Group and Top-up plans. Products include Niva Bupa Aspire, ReAssure, and Heart/Cancer covers.
Key Features: Niva Bupa (formerly Max Bupa) is strong on technology and flexibility. It offers no-entry age limit policies and cashless OPD (outpatient) benefits. It pioneered the 45-day free-look cancellation and digital claims. Its customer portal (Health at Hand) provides 24/7 claims support and telemedicine top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
- Why It Stands Out (2025): Niva Bupa boasts one of the best CRR among standalone players. The company emphasizes quick, transparent claim settlements and wellness rewards. In 2025 it continues to expand its network and digital tools. Its tie-up with Max India and Niva expansion helps innovate plan designs (for example, covering expensive procedures from day 1) top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
4. HDFC ERGO Health Insurance (incorporating Apollo Munich)
- Website: hdfcergo.com
- Claim Settlement Ratio (2023-24): 99.16%.
- Network Hospitals: 13,000+ cashless hospitals.
- Plan Types: General insurer (with health plans). Offers Individual, Family Floater, Senior Citizen, Top-Up, Group, Maternity, etc. Plans include Optima Restore, Arogya Sanjeevani, and legacy Apollo Munich products like Optima series.
- Key Features: HDFC ERGO – a large multinational insurer – inherited Apollo Munich’s health portfolio, gaining market share. Unique features include “2-hour cashless claim guarantee” (through its portal) and Cashless Lounge priority at empanelled hospitals. Many plans come with Automatic Sum Insured Restoration, premium waivers on survival, and higher reinstatements top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
- Why It Stands Out (2025): It has the highest claim settlement ratio of any health insurer – nearly 100% claims paid. This reflects its strong solvency (capital adequacy) and prompt claim disbursal. HDFC ERGO also has a top brand name and large capital base. In 2025 it continues pushing digital innovation (Mobile claim upload, InstaCash). The combined entity (HDFC ERGO + Apollo Munich) solidifies its place as a top provider for middle-income customers, with widespread reach (13,000+ hospitals) top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
5. ICICI Lombard General Insurance (Health Division)
- Website: icicilombard.com
- Claim Settlement Ratio (2023-24): 97.16%.
- Network Hospitals: ~7,500+ cashless hospitals (per latest figures).
- Plan Types: Health plans under general insurer; offers Group, Individual, Family, Senior Citizen, Critical Illness, and Super Top-Up plans. Products include Health Shield 360, Safeguard, and Arogya Sanjeevani Standard.
- Key Features: ICICI Lombard’s health products focus on customization and value-added services. For example, it offers telemedicine (Doc-On-Call), annual health check-ups, and overseas evacuation covers in some plans. They provide a Health App for policy management and claims. The insurer also introduced the ICICI Lombard Health Network of Empanelled Providers (ILHCS) for smoother claims top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
- Why It Stands Out (2025): A highly diversified insurer, ICICI Lombard benefits from a strong claims infrastructure. Its ~97% claim settlement reflects disciplined underwriting. In 2025, it stands out for leveraging technology (AI chatbots for query resolution) and competitive pricing. It also has unique combinations like Motor+Health riders under one premium. Overall, ICICI Lombard’s reputation in general insurance carries over to reliable health cover top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
6. Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company
- Website: adityabirlacapital.com/healthinsurance
- Claim Settlement Ratio (FY 2023-24): ~96% (as per company reports); 92.97% within 3 months (highest among standalone).
- Network Hospitals: 11,000+ cashless hospitals.
- Plan Types: Stand-alone health provider; known for Activ series and Top-Up plans. Plans include Activ Learn, Activ Assure, Activ Health Returns, Health Return Plans, and super top-ups.
- Key Features: It is the newest entrant (since 2020) with a start-up culture. Key innovations are HealthReturns™ (premium-back rewards for healthy living), no capping on internal limits (e.g. ICU daily caps, room rent caps), and double Sum Insured from Day 1. Its mobile app offers AI-based claim guidance top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
- Why It Stands Out (2025): Aditya Birla Health quickly built a high CSR and has one of the largest networks. Its unique “premium-back” feature incentivizes wellness. As a young company it aggressively markets to millennials and uses digital channels heavily. In 2025 it continues expanding (claim settled counts exceeded 20 lakh claims) and has a modern brand image. The insurer also runs preventive health initiatives and clinic tie-ups, distinguishing itself in customer engagement top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
7. ManipalCigna Health Insurance
- Website: manipalcigna.com
- Claim Settlement Ratio (2023-24): 88.59%.
- Network Hospitals: ~8,700+ cashless hospitals (major cities and smaller towns).
- Plan Types: Stand-alone health company; offers PaleoHealth, Classic Care, O2MAX, ProHealth, and Power Plan. Covers Individual, Family, Senior, and Group schemes, as well as disease-specific riders.
- Key Features: ManipalCigna (joint venture between Manipal Hospitals and Cigna) leverages the hospital chain’s expertise. It provides access to Manipal’s top hospitals (for cashless treatment and second opinions) and wellness programs via the Miles App. The company also emphasizes mental health support and lifestyle management (free tele-counseling, wellness webinars) top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
- Why It Stands Out (2025): It stands out as the only health insurer backed by a major hospital network, offering seamless hospital tie-ups and care protocols. In 2025, it is known for specialized programs (e.g. “Yoga for health”) and tech-enabled claims. Its CSR is moderate, but it aims for service quality – e.g., priority booking in Manipal hospitals. Its presence is strongest in South India, and it’s gradually expanding pan-India top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
8. TATA AIG General Insurance (Health)
- Website: tataaig.com
- Claim Settlement Ratio (2023-24): 95.43%.
- Network Hospitals: 12,000+ cashless hospitals.
- Plan Types: General insurer; health products include MediCare, MediCare Plus (super top-up), ElderCare (for senior citizens), etc., all under group/individual contracts. Also offers Global Health Benefits.
- Key Features: Tata AIG brings strong corporate governance and global support. It offers round-the-clock Virtual Healthcare, wellness discounts (fitness trackers), and remote online doctor consultations. Many plans include free annual health check-ups and special cover for serious illnesses. The service platform “Health Ace” streamlines e-claims and portability top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
- Why It Stands Out (2025): Boasting a large CSR (95% within 3 months) and a very wide network (12,000+ hospitals), Tata AIG is trusted for reliability. It has a strong brand and digital presence – customers can file claims via the Tata Health app. In 2025 it leverages its global link (Cigna partnership) to offer overseas treatment options. The Tata brand commitment means extra support (as seen in its corporate philanthropy below), and its plans are popular with salaried employees and business owners alike top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
9. SBI General Insurance (Health Division)
-
- Website: sbigeneral.in
- Claim Settlement Ratio (2023-24): 97.05%.
- Network Hospitals: ~6,000+ cashless hospitals (figures from latest disclosures).
- Plan Types: General insurer; offers Health Guard, Bima Sugam, Floater, Individual, Senior Citizen, and Group health plans.
- Key Features: As a PSU-backed joint venture, SBI General emphasizes accessibility. It offers special concessions for SBI/PNSB employees and customers. Their health plans include maternity and newborn cover in Silver and Gold policies. The company also provides hospital daily cash benefit add-ons and dedicated kiosks in bank branches top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
- Why It Stands Out (2025): SBI General has a high CSR and wide distribution (through SBI’s 22,000 branches). It stands out for affordability and reach – many rural customers buy via SBI outlets. In 2025, it continues to improve turnaround times using a tech-enabled claim portal. Its strong solvency and backing by SBI/BNP Paribas gives confidence, especially for group insurance (Bima Sugam covers small business employees) top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
10. Reliance General Insurance (Health Division)
- Website: reliancegeneral.co.in
- Claim Settlement Ratio (2023-24): 99.57%.
- Network Hospitals: ~10,000+ cashless hospitals (extensive Pan-India network).
- Plan Types: General insurer; health products include Health Infinity, Gold, Star, and Senior Citizen plans, with top-up options.
- Key Features: Reliance General is known for the “Cashless Everywhere” facility. This unique service allows policyholders to get cashless treatment even at non-network hospitals (subject to prior approval). It also offers maternity cover, road-ambulance and oxygen concentrator benefits, and unlimited reinstatement of Sum Insured. The company provides health check-ups and e-medical opinion services top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
- Why It Stands Out (2025): Reliance General boasts one of the highest claim ratios in the industry (99.57%), indicating almost all valid claims are paid. Its “Cashless Everywhere” program removes hospital choice barriers, a strong differentiator. In 2025, Reliance continues to expand aggressively into smaller cities and even overseas treatments. The insurer’s continuous innovation in claim services and its focus on customer ease (e.g. claim settlement in 30 days maximum) help it rank among the top health insurers top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.
Tata Group’s Contribution After Ahmedabad Air Crash
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171 – a passenger plane – tragically crashed near Ahmedabad, resulting in a large number of fatalities and injuries one of top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India. In response, the Tata Group immediately announced a humanitarian gesture for the victims’ families. Tata Group and Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran expressed deep sorrow for the “tragic event”. In a public statement on social media, the group pledged ₹1 crore (10 million rupees) to each family who lost a loved one in the crash.
Chandrasekaran also announced that Tata would cover all medical expenses for the injured and provide additional support (including rebuilding a hostel at BJ Medical Institute). This means every bereaved family received ₹1 crore as compensation and the survivors’ treatment bills were fully paid. The Tata Chairman emphasized that “no words can adequately express the grief” and affirmed that Tata “will remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities” top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India.