Finding the best international health insurance is essential when moving abroad. However, with so many excellent and affordable global medical options, knowing how to choose the right one can feel overwhelming. So how do you find the best plan for your unique needs?
At International Citizens Insurance, we rank the top 10 global insurers each year based on several key factors:
- Network size
- Range of available benefits
- Extra features like telemedicine
- Ease of filing claims
- Flexibility to adjust premiums with copays and deductibles
- A.M. Best rating, which reflects each insurer's financial stability
Tips To Choose the Best Health Insurance Providers in India:
1.Take a look at the Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) of the Health Insurer
The Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) represents the percentage of claims an insurer settles in a financial year compared to the total claims received, often used as an indicator of reliability. A higher CSR suggests that the insurer is dependable and has a track record of honouring claims, which can offer you peace of mind. While a high CSR may seem reassuring, it doesn’t guarantee a smooth claim experience, as it doesn’t account for factors like the speed of settlement, ease of the process, or bias towards smaller claims. This is where complaint volume comes into play.
2.Find out the Complaint Volume of the Health Insurer
The number of complaints a health insurance company receives is a significant indicator of its service quality. A high complaint volume signals delays, poor customer support, or dissatisfaction with claim settlements. Compare insurers using this parameter to find one that consistently delivers good service.
3.Analyse the Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR) of the Health Insurance Provider
The Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR) measures the proportion of premiums an insurer spends on settling claims within a financial year. For example, an ICR of 80% means the insurer spent ₹80 on claims for every ₹100 collected as premiums. A balanced ICR (usually between 55% and 75%) indicates the insurer is effectively managing claims while remaining financially stable. A very high ICR might suggest potential financial strain, whereas a very low ICR could indicate the insurer rejects many claims or overprices premiums.
4.Consider the Average Annual Business Volume of the Health Insurance Provider
The Average Annual Business Volume reflects the total premiums collected by a health insurer over a year, providing insight into the company’s market presence and customer trust. A high business volume indicates that the insurer has a broad customer base, suggesting reliability and strong performance. However, balancing this with other factors like customer service quality and claim efficiency is essential to ensure the insurer’s scale doesn’t compromise quality.
Best Health Insurance Companies in India 2025
- HDFC Ergo Health Insurance
Pros: HDFC ERGO is one of the foremost insurers in India, known for its high claim settlement ratio and financial stability. The insurer provides access to an extensive network of over 11,500 hospitals for cashless treatment, and most of its policies come with no room rent restrictions, co-payments, and disease-wise sub-limits.
Cons: The policies that HDFC ERGO offers are slightly more expensive compared to those of its peers.
Best plan – HDFC ERGO Optima Secure: This plan is designed to provide extensive health coverage with no room rent restrictions, daycare treatment coverage, and an attractive no-claim bonus. It also includes restoration benefits and coverage for modern treatments like robotic surgeries, making it a popular choice amongst people seeking a good health insurance policy.
- Aditya Birla Health Insurance
Pros: Aditya Birla Health Insurance has carved a niche for itself with innovative policies that focus on wellness and preventive care. The insurer offers a unique feature where you can earn up to a 100% premium discount for the next year, making it particularly appealing to younger, health-conscious individuals.
Cons: Aditya Birla is still an up-and-coming player in the industry. Therefore, their market share is still smaller compared to that of more established players, which may limit accessibility in some regions. Additionally, their complaint volume is also slightly on the higher side, which is not ideal.
Best plan – Aditya Birla Activ One Max: The Aditya Birla Activ One Max variant is widely regarded as the best option in its series, offering comprehensive coverage at an affordable price. One of its standout features is the Super Credit benefit, which allows policyholders to receive up to 500% of the base sum insured as a loyalty bonus. The plan also includes free annual medical checkups on a cashless basis, built-in consumable coverage, and the potential for a 100% discount on renewal premiums, provided certain fitness goals set by the insurer are met. Here’s a more comprehensive review of the policy – Aditya Birla Activ One Review.
- Care Health insurance
Pros: Care Health Insurance is known for offering affordable policies with no loading charges. Its health insurance plans come with a range of add-ons, making it easy to customise coverage based on individual needs. Care also stands out for its maternity and senior citizen-friendly policies, ensuring that people who are often excluded from other health insurance plans have access to comprehensive coverage and preventive healthcare services.
Cons: One of the downsides is that the insurer still needs to streamline its claims process, which has faced concerns in the past.
Best plan – Care Supreme: Care Supreme offers a wide range of benefits, including zero loading charges, annual health check-ups, and coverage for pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses for 60 & 180 days, respectively. Here is a detailed review of Care Supreme.
- Niva Bupa Health Insurance (erstwhile Max Bupa)
Pros: Niva Bupa Health Insurance has built a strong reputation over the years, consistently standing out with its innovative features and unique health insurance policies. Most of Niva Bupa’s health insurance plans offer good coverage on paper, such as unlimited restoration of the cover amount, modern treatments, and wellness incentives.
Cons: However, Niva Bupa is currently facing a challenging phase, with its ratings dipping in recent years. While this has raised concerns for some policyholders, we hope that the insurer will regain its footing and improve its performance in the near future, maintaining its position as a key competitor in the market.
Best plan – Niva Bupa ReAssure 2.0: This plan offers impressive features, making it a highly appealing option for those seeking extensive coverage. With unlimited restoration of the cover amount, policyholders are assured that their coverage will not run out, even after multiple claims in a single year. ReAssure 2.0 also covers modern treatments, critical illnesses, and day-care procedures and provides wellness incentives to promote healthy living. However, one downside to Niva Bupa is its claim settlement process, which has been flagged as a concern.
- Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance
Pros: Bajaj Allianz has a good set of metrics and excellent digital services, making claim handling quick and efficient. One of its most notable achievements is maintaining a complaint volume of just 3 per 10,000 claims, which is lower than the industry leader – HDFC ERGO. This focus on customer satisfaction has made Bajaj Allianz a trusted name in the market.
Cons: However, we have noticed some pitfalls. For instance, certain specific treatments like cataract surgery include co-payment clauses even in their top plan. This may not suit everyone. We also feel their plans could be slightly better in terms of coverage & cost.