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Last updated on: May 20, 2025
Care Health Insurance and Niva Bupa Health Insurance are two leading providers in India, each offering comprehensive health insurance plans with unique features. Care Health Insurance is known for its wide network of hospitals, extensive coverage options, and affordable premiums, making it ideal for individuals and families seeking flexibility and value. Niva Bupa (formerly Max Bupa) stands out for its customer service, quick claim settlement, and innovative features like refill benefits and health check-ups. While both insurers offer cashless hospitalization and high claim settlement ratios, Care is preferred for its extensive network and lower premiums, whereas Niva Bupa appeals to those emphasizing service quality and unique add-ons. The best choice depends on individual needs, budget, and preferred features, so comparing plan specifics is essential.
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Read BioHealthcare expenses are on the increase in India and the health insurance plan you choose to cover your family is more important than ever before. When it comes to top private health insurance companies, Care Health Insurance (formerly Religare Health Insurance) and Niva Bupa Health Insurance (earlier Max Bupa) are among the most searched and trusted names. Are you unsure which insurer to select in 2025? This comprehensive comparison of Care Health Insurance and Niva Bupa Health Insurance will provide you with updated features, advantages, and disadvantages and real-life examples to make an informed choice.
Both Care Health Insurance and Niva Bupa have millions of Indians insured through different kinds of health insurance policies. Their health insurance schemes are best suited to individuals, families and senior citizens and both possess a wide network of cashless hospitals and online claim procedures. However, variations in policy coverage, claim experience, add-ons, waiting periods, and pricing can make a big difference to your decision.
To know what best suits your needs, it is important to compare their 2025 offerings head-to-head with key areas.
Did you know it?
A 2024 survey revealed that families with digital-first health insurance providers such as Care and Niva Bupa settled their claims 30 percent quicker than those with traditional insurance providers, primarily due to eKYC and online claims processing.
To come to the correct choice, you should have a clear side-by-side comparison of the key features of the two most popular health insurers. The table below shows the data that is relevant in 2025.
| Important Parameters | Care Health Insurance | Niva Bupa Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Established | 1912 | 2008 |
| No. of Policies | 20+ individual, family, senior, group | 25+ individual, family, top-up, group |
| Network Hospitals | 30,000+ cashless (2025) | 10,000+ cashless (2025) |
| Claim Settlement | 96.9 percent (FY 2024-25) | 98.36 percent (FY 2024-25) |
| Max Sum Insured | Up to Rs 6 crore (in select plans) | Up to Rs 3 crore |
| No Claim Bonus | Up to 150 percent additional SI in 5 years | Up to 200 percent in 5 years |
| Maternity Cover | Available (waiting 9-24 months) | Available (waiting 9-24 months) |
| PD & Dental | Included in some comprehensive plans | Included in best plans |
| Critical Illness | Rider options 32+ conditions | Rider and standalone CI protection |
| PED Waiting | Usually 2-4 years | 2-4 years (reduced in “ReAssure” plan) |
| Restore Benefit | Available in nearly all family products | Provided in ReAssure, Health Companion |
| Wellness Benefits | Annual health, fitness rewards, Health Coach, fitness rewards | |
| Digital Services | Yes (App, WhatsApp, eKYC, e-claim) | Yes (App, e-Payment, video claims) |
| Renewal Age | Lifelong | Lifelong |
[Sources listed in footnotes at end]
Both insurers have good claim settlement records, but customer experience may differ depending on how claims are treated at hospitals, collection of documents and turnaround time.
People also enquire
Which is better in terms of claim settlement between Care and Niva Bupa?
Niva Bupa is ranked a bit higher in terms of quicker and direct claim settlement especially on planned treatments. However, Care Health Insurance has good customer service and online tracking to enhance transparency.
Cons of Care Health Insurance
Disadvantages of Niva Bupa Health Insurance
Experts’ insights:
Niva Bupa is popular among urban working professionals and younger families because of digital claim settlement and minimal paperwork. Larger or combined families, particularly those residing outside metros, might find Care Health Insurance more suitable in terms of access to hospitals and portability of plans.”
Insurance Consultant, Mumbai 2025
Some families look for health insurance that can be tailored to their medical history or special needs (maternity, chronic illness, OPD care). Both Care Health Insurance and Niva Bupa are good in this category.
What people ask is:
Which is more suitable maternity health insurance, Care or Niva Bupa?
Both have good maternity covers, but the ReAssure and Health Premia plans of Niva Bupa are highly rated on broader newborn cover and shorter waiting periods.
A joint family in Pune was looking to cover 6 members of the family, including maternity and regular check-ups. Their priorities were primarily a smooth online renewal, lots of cashless hospitals and maximum claim bonus.
They compared on online marketplaces and found both Care Health Insurance and Niva Bupa plans, with details, add-ons and premium breakup side by side. Their reasons to pick Niva Bupa were the direct claim settlement and the low waiting time during maternity, whereas the network of hospitals offered by Care and wellness check-ups were the second-best option.
Did you know?
By 2024, the majority of new health insurance plans in India were purchased after researching features and premium on digital aggregators, as opposed to visiting insurers websites one at a time. This enabled buyers to avoid missing out on hidden features and discounts.
Selecting the appropriate add-ons will make sure that your plan addresses unique requirements, including critical illness, accident, or ambulance.
The premiums vary on the basis of family size, city, sum insured and plan type. Here is an example for a nuclear family (2 adults aged 35 & 33, 1 child age 5, sum insured Rs 10 lakh for 1 year, metro city):
| Insurer | Annual Premium (Rs) | What’s Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Care Health Insurance | 14,200 - 17,500 | Basic, OPD included, wellness rewards |
| Niva Bupa Health Insurance | 16,100 - 20,000 | Basic, maternity optional, OPD as add-on |
These are estimates, updated to 2025; actual may vary depending on the age of the member, city, and plan version.
These services lower your out of pocket expenses and promote preventive health.
People enquire about
Which is more digital claim process: Care or Niva Bupa?
Both have good app-based claim settlement and digital cashless approval. However, Niva Bupa is known for direct handling (no TPA), which can reduce claim delays.
Fast, reliable customer service now matters as much as coverage!
Online marketplaces allow you to compare not only premiums, but also user reviews, claims experience, and post-sales services, allowing you to identify red flags or hidden costs.
| Type of Customer | Care Health Insurance | Niva Bupa Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Metro family | Excellent | Excellent |
| Rural or semi-urban | Very wide hospital access | Expanding network |
| Maternity needs | Good (Care Joy, Care Supreme) | Very good (ReAssure, Health Premia) |
| Senior citizens | Senior First, high bonuses | Lifelong renewal, Care Senior |
| Chronic diseases | Diabetes, Heart, Cancer specialty | Chronic add-ons, CI standalones |
| NRI | Coverage in leading plans, refund on NRI | International cover in top plans |
| Technologically advanced users | Claiming in app/WhatsApp | Claiming instantly, app-based service |
Expert insight:
You should always compare policy brochure wordings online before you purchase. The 15 days free look period allows you to cancel in case the terms of the plan are not clear.
Health Insurance Advisor Delhi
1. Which is better Niva Bupa or Care Health Insurance?
Niva Bupa is chosen as the fastest claim settlement and transparent digital experience. Wider hospital access and higher sum insured amounts are more preferable.
2. What is the best health insurance in India 2025 to senior citizens?
Both offer senior-friendly schemes, with Niva Bupa and Care having one of the best in 2025, called Senior First and Care Senior respectively.
3. What are the differences between claim processes in Care and Niva Bupa?
Niva Bupa offers direct, in-house claim processing (no TPA). Care has a combination of in-house and network TPAs. Both now have powerful app/online claim functionality.
4. Are both insurers COVID-19 and new-day disease coverage?
Yes, all new policies (bought and renewed in 2025) include pandemic and modern treatment protections.
5. Is it possible to switch my health insurance provider at renewal?
Yes, IRDAI permits insurer-to-insurer portability. You may change at renewal without loss of waiting period credit, provided you apply in time.
6. What happens when my city has less Niva Bupa hospitals?
Care also has a broader cashless hospital network in case you live in rural or tier III cities. Before purchasing, always check the online hospital list.
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).
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