r/InsuranceAdviceIndia

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My brother is 22M, currently unemployed, and doesn't have health insurance. He wants to undergo LASIK for both eyes, and the hospital has quoted around ₹1.5 lakh.

We are planning the surgery 7–8 months from now, so we are considering buying health insurance now and using it for the surgery later.

Could you please suggest good health insurance policies in India that cover LASIK, preferably with a waiting period of less than 7–8 months?

Also:

Is LASIK actually covered under these policies?

Are there any conditions, such as a minimum eye power/dioptre requirement?

What percentage/amount can realistically be reimbursed?

Has anyone here successfully claimed LASIK through health insurance?

We don't want to buy a policy and later discover that LASIK is excluded. Any recommendations based on actual experience would be very helpful.

My parents are currently covered under a Star Health medical insurance policy, but we have experienced significant delays and difficulties with both cashless pre-authorizations and post-treatment reimbursement claims. Consequently, I am looking to port their coverage to a more reliable insurer.

In my preliminary research across providers like Tata AIG, ICICI Lombard, ManipalCigna, Niva Bupa, and HDFC ERGO, I noticed that entry age limitations restrict coverage options for individuals over 75, with ICICI Lombard and HDFC ERGO appearing to be the primary options. I would appreciate your guidance on the most suitable policy and provider for senior citizens given these constraints.

I applied for 2 crore term insurance from ICICI Prudential 15 days back. I am 36, Male. I had never done any medical tests from my side so in the application form I mentioned No diabetes, No Cholesterol etc assuming I was healthy. I paid the premium while submitting the application. In a week's time they scheduled a medical and to my suprise my lipid profile numbers were not normal. They were way above normal range but still after 2 days I got the policy and even I don't see any change in premium. It was same which was mentioned while submitting the application. My other reports are normal.

Should I be worried, as in the application form I had mentioned No Cholesterol. If something happens to me and reason is due to cholesterol, could they reject the claim. I am in 30 days no look period so want suggestions.

Hi all,

I have been paying for star health past 3 years, young star policy.

Dad is very adamant I move to galaxy insurance because of claim ratio in star and galaxy provides doubling of sum insured.

Which insurance have you taken, what's the experience in claim ratio and others.

I have an PED of hearing disability 80% loss.

Below is the current situation:

My Star health insurance policy expired on 23rd July 2026.

I had a call with the star health manager and his people are arrogant and does not explain properly.

I asked for second time. And he started scolding type tone.

Galaxy health insurance would be treated as new insurance policy and cannot be ported due to my PED.

Galaxy health insurance regional manager is asking me to wait for star health grace period to be over that is 23rd August 2026 to be eligible for new policy under galaxy.

As galaxy is a new health insurance company, i am skeptical to take galaxy.

\--

I get a feeling since I have PED they are being rough and playing around.

With the above in mind,

Any idea why are these conditions it's like in the grace period duration I neither have star coverage nor the galaxy insurance coverage.

, as per IRDIA check there should be no such terms.

Which insurance company should I pay and buy.

With the pathetic customer service, I am thinking to explore other insurance company or services.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some genuine advice on health insurance for my parents. I’m trying to make a long-term decision now rather than waiting until they are older or develop more health issues.

**Parents**
Dad: **54 years old**
Mom: **49 years old**

**Current health**
**Mom:** Some leg pain and dental issues, but no other major health problems.
**Dad:** Cholesterol levels fluctuate / has cholesterol issues, but otherwise no major health problems.
No major surgeries or hospitalisations that I’m aware of.

**Current insurance**
We currently have an **Oriental Insurance** health policy.
From the policy document I have:
Dad: **₹5 lakh sum insured + ₹2.1 lakh cumulative bonus**
Mom: **₹2.5 lakh sum insured + ₹87,500 cumulative bonus**
Premium: around **₹26,000/year**
The policy is already active and has some continuity/accumulated bonus.
My main concern is that the coverage may not be sufficient as they get older.

**What I’m confused about**
Should I:
**A)** Continue the existing Oriental policy and add a **super top-up**?

**B)** Continue Oriental but try to increase the existing coverage?

**C)** Keep Oriental for now and buy separate individual policies from another insurer such as **HDFC ERGO** or another reputed insurer?

**D)** Cancel/switch from Oriental completely and move to HDFC ERGO or another insurer?

I’m particularly interested in understanding **whether cancelling an existing policy with accumulated continuity/bonus is a bad idea**, especially when the parents already have some existing health conditions.
**How should I actually compare policies?**

Apart from premium and sum insured, what should I look at?
For example:
Room rent limits
ICU limits
Co-pay
Disease-specific sub-limits
PED waiting period
Claim settlement experience
Cashless hospital network
Restoration/recharge benefits
No-claim/cumulative bonus
Lifetime renewability
Any hidden exclusions
Whether a super top-up makes sense

**Ditto vs local insurance agent**
I’m also confused about where to purchase it.
Is **Ditto** a good option for researching/buying health insurance? Is their advice genuinely useful, or is it better to speak to a good **local insurance agent/broker** who can help during claims?

For parents’ health insurance, does the intermediary actually make a meaningful difference during a claim, or is it mostly about choosing the right policy directly from the insurer?

I’m not looking for the cheapest policy. I want something that will be **reliable for the next 15–20 years**, especially when my parents are older and more likely to need it.
If you have actually bought health insurance for your parents or have gone through a claim, I’d really appreciate your experience.

**Would you personally continue the Oriental policy in this situation, add a super top-up, or switch to HDFC ERGO/another insurer? And how would you make that decision?**

Used AI for better writing !

I have an HDFC Ergo Optima Secure policy, which I've had for 4 years. The base sum assured is 50 lakhs (25 for me + another 25 for my wife when I added her last year; there are two individual covers under the same policy, not a family floater). Neither of us has any PEDs, and we've never had to make a policy claim.

I would like to know if converting to a family floater has any advantages or if I should keep it as an individual policy.

With medical inflation on the rise and the fact that Optima Secure does not offer any NCB after two years when the sum assured basically triples, should I consider doubling the base sum assured during the next renewal instead of waiting a few years?

I bought this policy directly from the website. I had to make an update to the policy this year, and HDFC Ergo customer care was a nightmare. I had to escalate to the CGO for a minor update. Should I consider porting out next year and buying a policy through an intermediary this time? I am afraid that I will face the same troubles with customer care during any future claims.

Hi everyone,

I am looking for urgent advice on a health insurance policy for my sister. She is 25 years old.We have recently majored in a roadblock regarding her treatment cost.

Medical history and context :

Initial diagnosis: in 2021 mctd with sle.

Progression: in june 2026 she has major critical condition pulmonary arterial hypertension, ild, lupus nephritis, hyperbilirubanic anemia.

Current diagnosis: she is in long term medication and long period of hospitalization.

Financial problem/ insurance problem:

Insurance problem:Every insurance has a waiting period for ped.

Treatment: she needs to cover medicine and hospitalization charges.

What I am looking for:

Low waiting period: are there any specific policies which have a low waiting period? May be 30 days or immediately?

My questions:

How can I proceed with this kind of condition?

I never had any kind of insurance in my family.

What should I specifically look for in insurance?

Should I take critical care insurance?

Which company provides the best insurance in india?

Has anyone with long term condition like this successfully used ped reduction for immediate claim for auto immune disease?

Any leads on specific plans, who handle this kind of condition that would be huge help. Thank you in advance.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some genuine advice on health insurance for my parents. I’m trying to make a long-term decision now rather than waiting until they are older or develop more health issues.

**Parents**
Dad: **54 years old**
Mom: **49 years old**

**Current health**
**Mom:** Some leg pain and dental issues, but no other major health problems.
**Dad:** Cholesterol levels fluctuate / has cholesterol issues, but otherwise no major health problems.
No major surgeries or hospitalisations that I’m aware of.

**Current insurance**
We currently have an **Oriental Insurance** health policy.
From the policy document I have:
Dad: **₹5 lakh sum insured + ₹2.1 lakh cumulative bonus**
Mom: **₹2.5 lakh sum insured + ₹87,500 cumulative bonus**
Premium: around **₹26,000/year**
The policy is already active and has some continuity/accumulated bonus.
My main concern is that the coverage may not be sufficient as they get older.

**What I’m confused about**
Should I:
**A)** Continue the existing Oriental policy and add a **super top-up**?

**B)** Continue Oriental but try to increase the existing coverage?

**C)** Keep Oriental for now and buy separate individual policies from another insurer such as **HDFC ERGO** or another reputed insurer?

**D)** Cancel/switch from Oriental completely and move to HDFC ERGO or another insurer?

I’m particularly interested in understanding **whether cancelling an existing policy with accumulated continuity/bonus is a bad idea**, especially when the parents already have some existing health conditions.
**How should I actually compare policies?**

Apart from premium and sum insured, what should I look at?
For example:
Room rent limits
ICU limits
Co-pay
Disease-specific sub-limits
PED waiting period
Claim settlement experience
Cashless hospital network
Restoration/recharge benefits
No-claim/cumulative bonus
Lifetime renewability
Any hidden exclusions
Whether a super top-up makes sense

**Ditto vs local insurance agent**
I’m also confused about where to purchase it.
Is **Ditto** a good option for researching/buying health insurance? Is their advice genuinely useful, or is it better to speak to a good **local insurance agent/broker** who can help during claims?

For parents’ health insurance, does the intermediary actually make a meaningful difference during a claim, or is it mostly about choosing the right policy directly from the insurer?

I’m not looking for the cheapest policy. I want something that will be **reliable for the next 15–20 years**, especially when my parents are older and more likely to need it.
If you have actually bought health insurance for your parents or have gone through a claim, I’d really appreciate your experience.

**Would you personally continue the Oriental policy in this situation, add a super top-up, or switch to HDFC ERGO/another insurer? And how would you make that decision?**

Used AI for better writing !

I’m completely new to insurance and need some urgent guidance before I make any decisions or get pushed into buying the wrong policy.

I’m 33, Single Male, working in an IT company in India, and currently have health insurance through my employer. I want to get proper insurance coverage for myself and, more importantly, for my parents.

My situation:

• Dad: 64 — has been drinking alcohol regularly for around 20 years and currently drinks every day. I’m not sure what impact this will have on health insurance eligibility, premiums, exclusions, or future claims.
• Mom: 64 — generally healthy with no major health conditions, but has migraines and occasional knee/back pain.
• Me: 33 — working in IT and covered by my company's insurance, but I’m considering getting my own health insurance as well as life insurance.

1. Health insurance for both parents: should I buy separate individual policies or a family floater?
2. Dad’s insurance: given his alcohol history, what should I realistically expect? Should I approach multiple insurers for underwriting?
3. Mom’s insurance: what should I look out for regarding her migraine and knee/back issues?
4. My life insurance: should I simply get a large term insurance policy? How much cover is reasonable at 33?
5. My employer health insurance: should I also buy a personal health policy even though I already have company coverage?
6. Money-back/return-of-premium insurance: are these actually worth considering, or is it better to keep insurance and investments completely separate?

I’m especially interested in real-world experiences with claims, particularly for senior citizens and people with a history of alcohol consumption.

I don’t know much about insurance

Happy Independence Day!

Recently got health insurance cover from my mother, who is 66 years of age, from Manipal Cigna's Sarvaparam plan. Her pre-existing conditions/diseases are:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Gout
• Early-stage cataract
• Hereditary Pattern Dystrophy in both eyes, which was all disclosed while taking the policy

They shared a counter offer stating that Hereditary Pattern Dystrophy disease will not be covered for 2 years and I got to know that they are also not going to cover any cataract treatment for the same duration.

After I agreed to the plan, Manipal Cigna's customer service called me and asked me if my mother had undergone cataract surgery yet, to which I said no, not yet. It's still diagnosed but surgery has not happened. She's under treatment.

After five days I get another counter offer. Now they state that they're going to permanently exclude my mother's eyes from the policy for the policy underwriting. Mind you this is after I have received the policy kit from accepting it 5 days ago.

This I feel is unfair and I say anything I can do to contest this. I'm willing to forfeit this policy and go look for other options.

The add-ons I added here were:

• No room cap
• Consumables rider

The total premium is around 59,000/yearly | SI: 15L

The main USP of the Manipal Cigna plan is that they cover everything from day one, especially the Sarva Param. Since they have permanently excluded my mother's eyes, I am not happy with the counter offer.

Would love to hear your suggestions and thoughts and my options regarding this. Attaching below the first counter offer they shared and the second counter offer they shared five days later.

Thank you. Jai Hind.

1st Counter offer

2nd counter offer

My father is 59 Years old with diabetes condition and mother is 49 years. Since my father is retiring next year, I plan on taking health insurance for both of them now. Which company insurance should I take?

Private insurance like hdfc or government insurance like new india assurance?

Help me to take health insurance for my parents 60 & 46.

Currently they don't have any existing health issues.

Looking for 10 coverage

I'm looking for emi option but I don't have debit card.

What about policy bazar finance options??

Any other options like policy bazar ??

Can we get insurance directly from the insurance company for emi?

What are the major concerns i should take while buying health insurance

I’m starting out in my career I want a life insurance for 2 Cr Which is a good life insurance.

I don’t see the point of spending 51k on a life insurance my agent suggested Tata AIA Sampoorna Raksha Promise. can’t I invest that money somewhere else and make profit out of this . I’m not sure but people around me keep suggesting I should ? But I heard premiums are like 20-30k can you suggest like goood term life insurances and where can I buy I don’t trust policy bazaar they seem to be scammers.

Hi guys, I have a health insurance, hdfc ergo. In my last claim in 2025 there was some amount they didn't give saying "prolonged stay not justified" so i filed a complaint and has a hearing with insurance Ombudsman.

My policy expires in 4 days. I remember checking the renew insurance web page and it was loading correctly. But i waited until ombudsman hearing to renew.

After ombudsman hearing and some days past that i tried to renew the policy but now I'm unable to renew, it says that the specific policy has changed and i have to call customer executive to renew the policy.

When i called the executive he said i will get a special link in 48hrs through which I can pay. Its been 24 hrs now and still i didn't get any link. Could it be possible that after ombudsman hearing they don't want to renew my policy? Or even if they allow me, would they change policy wording only for me? Or increase the premium?

I currently have Care Supreme with around ₹50L accumulated bonus. I’m considering porting to HDFC Optima Secure+.

Will my existing ₹50L accumulated bonus be carried forward when I port, or will I lose it and start with HDFC’s base SI + Secure/Infinite Benefits?

Also, has anyone actually ported from Care to HDFC and can share their experience?

​

Hi guys,

I’ve had Care Supreme for the past 3 years No PED, 31 years, an individual policy purchased through IndusInd Bank. I’m considering porting to HDFC ERGO mainly because my experience with the intermediary during my father’s claim last year was not good.

My renewal is on 1st September, so I’m running out of time.

The porting experience has been horrible so far, especially with Ditto. Their advisor seemed quite inexperienced, and I received conflicting information from them.

Initially, Ditto told me that no deductible would apply for my pincode if the sum insured was ₹10 lakh+, and they even confirmed this over email. They processed my application, but due to a technical issue it wasn't completed.

Now they’re saying there is a new update and that because I’m porting from Care, a ₹25,000 deductible is mandatory.

I also spoke directly with HDFC ERGO, and they said the deductible is compulsory for porting to Optima Secure Plus.

Policybazaar told me that HDFC ERGO does not accept porting if the existing policy was purchased through a bank, even though mine is an individual policy.

I don’t want a policy with a deductible, so I’m confused about what to do.

Would you recommend:

Continuing with Care Supreme, or

Porting to HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus with the ₹25k deductible?

Has anyone here successfully ported from Care to HDFC ERGO without a deductible?

Would really appreciate genuine experiences, especially from people who have actually gone through this porting process. Thanks.

I want to take term insurance for my father who is 55 years old currently. Now the problem is no insurance company is giving term insurance at the age mentioned. There is only 1 company I.e digit which is giving 25 lakh till the age of 70. Shall I go for it. Help me make the decision.

I’m trying to get a retail health insurance policy for a parent who currently has no personal health insurance but is covered under a corporate group policy.
An insurer initially declined the proposal due to a known history of CKD, but after submitting recent medical reports, they have now issued a counter-offer:
Sum insured: ₹10 lakh
Original quoted premium: ₹36,301
Revised premium after underwriting: ₹52,157
Additional premium: ₹15,856 (~44% increase)
20% co-pay
₹1.25 lakh annual sub-limit for CKD/renal failure and related complications
Some other existing conditions have been accepted with Day-1 coverage.
My main concern is the ₹1.25 lakh CKD sub-limit, given that the overall cover is ₹10 lakh.
Has anyone successfully negotiated with an insurer to increase/remove a medical-condition sub-limit after receiving a counter-offer? Would it be reasonable to ask them to increase the CKD limit even if it means paying a higher premium?
Would appreciate experiences from anyone who has dealt with a similar underwriting situation.