Last updated on: May 20, 2025
When comparing Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance and SBI General Health Insurance, both offer comprehensive health plans and strong customer support, but with some key differences. Bajaj Allianz is known for its wide range of policies, high claim settlement ratio, and extensive network of over 6,500 hospitals, making it ideal for those seeking flexibility and reliability. SBI General, backed by the trusted State Bank of India, provides affordable premiums, family-floater plans, and a user-friendly claim process across 6,000+ network hospitals. While Bajaj Allianz may suit individuals seeking extensive options and add-on coverage, SBI General is appealing for those prioritizing cost-effectiveness and easy accessibility. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your health needs, premium budget, and preferences for features like sum insured, add-ons, and hospital network
Selecting a health insurance plan in India is a complex process with too many companies and products. Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance and SBI General Health Insurance are both household names with millions of people trusting them. When purchasing an individual policy or family floater plans in 2025, it is important to compare the two insurance providers to determine which one is more suitable to your needs. This article provides a comprehensive, simple to read comparison between Bajaj Allianz and SBI General health policies in terms of features, premium, network hospitals, benefits, and customer support.
Bajaj Allianz is a privately owned joint venture between Bajaj Finserv Limited and Allianz SE, and has been serving the Indian customers since 2001. It is renowned with its extensive variety of health plans to individuals, families, elderly citizens and critical illness covers.
SBI General Health Insurance, a subsidiary of India largest public sector bank- State Bank of India was launched in 2009. It serves the mass market in terms of low-priced plans and the stability of a government-sponsored brand.
Both provide health insurance both via online and offline mediums and their base policies are in line with the IRDAI health regulations.
You did not know?
In 2025, Bajaj Allianz is popular among many urban families in terms of super topup and premium covers, whereas SBI is popular among mass-market and rural policies as per the surveys on insurance awareness.
Feature | Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance | SBI General Health Insurance |
---|---|---|
Established | 2001 | 2009 |
Network Hospitals | 7,000+ | 6,000+ |
Claim Settlement Ratio | 96 percent (FY2024) | 97.2 percent (FY2024) |
Insured Options | Rs 2 lakh to Rs 1 crore | Rs 1 lakh to Rs 50 lakh |
Waiting Period (PE) | 2-4 years (plan variant specific) | 3-4 years (plan variant specific) |
Rent Limit | Up to single private / no capping | Up to single private / some capping |
Global Cover | Available on premium variants | Mostly India only |
Wellness Benefits | Yes, rewarded | Available, less prominent |
Online Processes | Extensive apps, portals, WhatsApp | Website, mobile help, WhatsApp |
Senior Citizen Plans | Specialised plans with high cover | |
Maternity Cover | Rider, or part of plan | Rider; part of a few variants |
Both insurance companies have a variety of health insurance products to different segments:
Expert Tips: To find the best health insurance, most insurance advisors suggest comparing health insurance on online marketplaces to see the current prices and offerings of various companies, such as Bajaj Allianz and SBI General, without any bias.
In terms of pricing, Bajaj Allianz plans are generally a little more expensive but have higher sum insured options and add-on benefits. SBI General targets budget premiums, so it is a good option of middle-income and mass-market customers.
Scenario: A family of four (aged 35, 33, 10, 7) in Delhi chooses a Rs 10 lakh sum insured health policy.
Bajaj Allianz Health Guard Family Floater (Gold)
SBI General Arogya Supreme Floater
PAA:
Is Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance more expensive than SBI General?
In most cases, yes, but with richer features and less capping, when the sum insured is higher.
Most policyholders in India would prefer a company that would enable them to make cashless claims easily at the hospital of their choice. Both insurance companies have high claim settlement ratio but vary in terms of digital experience and reach.
Table: Average Claim Settlement (FY2024)
Insurer | Claim Settlement Ratio | Avg Cashless Approval | Avg Reimbursement |
---|---|---|---|
Bajaj Allianz | 96 percent | 3 hours | 4 days |
SBI General | 97.2 percent | 2.5 hours | 3 days |
You did not know?
A 2025 survey of policyholders in urban areas revealed that 80 percent of them want insurers to provide WhatsApp-based claim services to upload documents quickly.
The availability of hospitals in-network is important to individuals who travel or reside in other cities. Bajaj Allianz is the leader in the Northern part of India and in metro cities, whereas SBI General has a strong presence even in smaller cities and semi-urban areas.
Network Distribution Case Study
Rohan, a 29-year-old IT professional in Bangalore, discovered that both insurers had at least a dozen network hospitals within 10km of home. In the case of his mother requiring gallbladder surgery, both were cashless approved but SBI General took 30 minutes and Bajaj Allianz took an hour. Both paid all hospital expenses, except non-medical expenses.
PAA:
Which has more network hospitals Bajaj Allianz or SBI General?
Bajaj Allianz has the largest network, but SBI has a larger rural coverage.
Sub-limits limit the payout on room rent or designated treatments. The more expensive variants of Bajaj Allianz usually do not have a capping, reducing out-of-pocket costs in the event of hospitalisation. SBI General can limit room rent even at higher sum insured unless you add on a rider.
More healthcare-savvy insurers include wellness packages, 24/7 telehealth, and international coverage.
You did not know?
A market study conducted in late 2024 reported that 65 percent of young purchasers in metros choose plans with OPD coverage or digital wellness offerings.
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
Both insurance companies have above average ratings on reliability by independent consumer forums. The worst reviews of Bajaj Allianz are regarding claim documentation and SBI General has complaints regarding room rent capping and clarity of exclusions.
Which is better health insurance Bajaj Allianz or SBI General?
There is no single solution; it depends on individual need and preferences:
When buying in 2025, always compare the features, costs, and exclusions of policies online side by side.
Better between Bajaj Allianz and SBI General in 2025, which is better to take individual health insurance?
Bajaj Allianz is flexible and has premium features; SBI General is more suitable to entry-level or mass-market plans.
Does either insurer cover OPD or day care expenses?
Both facilitate day care activities; OPD and wellness are more comprehensive with Bajaj Allianz on higher variants.
What is the speed of cashless claim settlement by each insurer?
Average approval is 2-3 hours at network hospitals in both. Bajaj Allianz is more digital friendly, whereas SBI General has a broader local presence.
Which company is more trusted and safer?
Both are trusted and financially strong, being backed by large parent brands (Bajaj Group, State Bank of India).
Are such Indian health covers available to NRIs or people who live abroad?
Both typically provide covers to residents only; Bajaj Allianz has a few global covers.
How could we improve this article?
Written by Prem Anand, a content writer with over 10+ years of experience in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance sectors.
Prem Anand is a seasoned content writer with over 10+ years of experience in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance sectors. He has a strong command of industry-specific language and compliance regulations. He specializes in writing insightful blog posts, detailed articles, and content that educates and engages the Indian audience.
The content is prepared by thoroughly researching multiple trustworthy sources such as official websites, financial portals, customer reviews, policy documents and IRDAI guidelines. The goal is to bring accurate and reader-friendly insights.
This content is created to help readers make informed decisions. It aims to simplify complex insurance and finance topics so that you can understand your options clearly and take the right steps with confidence. Every article is written keeping transparency, clarity, and trust in mind.
Based on Google's Helpful Content System, this article emphasizes user value, transparency, and accuracy. It incorporates principles of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).