u/eddigudda

I am considering porting from my current Star Health Insurance policy, which I have held for over 15 years, to HDFC Ergo Optima Secure Plus, utilizing the porting option. Presently, I have no pre-existing diseases (PEDs).

An agent has quoted an annual premium of around 12000, noting that I would have to pay 25,000 of each claim during the initial one to three years. This deductible would be removed after this initial period.

However, the agent also suggested initiating a new HDFC Ergo policy instead of porting, thereby avoiding the 25,000 deductible as I don't have any PEDs to worry about.

I am seeking advice on what to do?

I am considering porting from my current Star Health Insurance policy, which I have held for over 15 years, to HDFC Ergo Optima Secure Plus, utilizing the porting option. Presently, I have no pre-existing diseases (PEDs).

An agent has quoted an annual premium of around 12000, noting that I would have to pay 25,000 of each claim during the initial one to three years. This deductible would be removed after this initial period.

However, the agent also suggested initiating a new HDFC Ergo policy instead of porting, thereby avoiding the 25,000 deductible as I don't have any PEDs to worry about.

I am seeking advice on what to do?

I’m currently covered under a 15+ year old Star Health family floater policy taken by my father in 2010. Current effective coverage is around ₹6.25L.

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Family Details:

• Father (55) – Diabetes

• Mother (50) – Diabetes, BP, recent cardiac issues (stent + balloon angioplasty in 2025)

• Me (24M) – Had a small hole in heart during childhood which closed naturally without treatment/surgery. My father didn't add this as PED in the existing policy.

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Current Situation:

• We usually take treatment at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.

• Due to low coverage and room rent limits, we often get only general ward eligibility.

• I want better hospitalization experience and stronger financial protection for my parents.

• I’m also hearing many complaints regarding Star Health claim delays/reimbursements, even from Apollo insurance desks.

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Initially, I planned to move all of us to another insurer like HDFC ERGO, ICICI, Aditya Birla, etc. But because this is an old policy with continuity benefits and significant claim history, my father wants to continue with Star Health.

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Now I’m confused about the best strategy.

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----> Current Thoughts:

• Keep parents in existing Star policy and upgrade their sum insured

• Possibly port only myself to another insurer with no waiting period and continued Moratorium benefits

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----> Additional Info:

• I already have 6L corporate insurance from my employer, but I don’t want to depend on it long-term.

• We live in Hyderabad.

• Monthly income: ~₹1.2L

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----> The current agent suggested:

• Upgrading Star policy to ₹10L may cost around ₹60k/year

The premium differences may not be huge with or without me in the family policy.

• Instead of porting externally, I could also move into a separate Star Health policy.

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----> Main Questions:

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1. Should I stay with Star or port to another insurer?

2. Should I choose a higher base cover or base + super top-up for myself?

3. How much coverage should I take for myself and my parents?

4. What all things/features should I consider when taking the insurance?