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Last updated on: May 20, 2025
Care Health Insurance and SBI General Health Insurance are two leading providers in India, each offering a range of health insurance plans to suit diverse needs. Care Health Insurance is known for its comprehensive coverage options, including specialized plans for critical illnesses, maternity, and family floaters, often featuring higher sum insured options and a vast hospital network. SBI General Health Insurance, backed by SBI’s trust, offers competitive premiums with widespread accessibility, user-friendly claim processes, and a strong presence even in semi-urban and rural areas. While Care excels in plan variety and added wellness benefits, SBI General appeals to policy seekers valuing brand trust and simplified services. Choosing between them depends on your priorities—opt for Care Health Insurance for broader coverage and variety, or SBI General Health Insurance for affordability and nationwide accessibility.
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Read BioSelecting the appropriate health insurance plan is one of the most critical decisions you make to secure your family. Both Care Health Insurance and SBI General Health Insurance have good reputations in India, but what is the difference between them in 2025? Researching on their differences, benefits, and customer experiences can help you make an informed decision.
This article provides a clear, current, and comprehensive comparison of Care Health Insurance and SBI General Health Insurance based on expert-supported research, real-life experience, and in-depth information on a broad range of issues such as policy features, claim process, customer service, and premium value.
Both insurance companies provide a diverse range of health plans that are designed to suit Indian families, individuals, seniors, and corporate groups. Care Health Insurance (formerly Religare) is known for its extensive hospital network and comprehensive plans, while SBI General Health Insurance, backed by the State Bank of India, offers robust coverage and a reputation for trust.
The main features at a glance:
You didn’t know that?
As per IRDAI’s 2024-2025 annual report, over 55 percent of new health insurance buyers in metro cities used online comparison platforms to assess different plans from major insurers.
Care Health Insurance has diversified its services to address the various needs. The following are some of the highlights:
SBI General Health Insurance has the advantage of government affiliation and competitive rates:
Expert opinion:
As per the industry surveys, 8 out of 10 first-time policy buyers in the tier 2 cities choose government-backed insurers like SBI General Health due to the perceived higher claim trust.
| Care Health Insurance | SBI General Health Insurance |
|---|---|
| Cashless Network Hospitals | 22,300+ |
| Sum Insured Maximum | Up to 6 crore |
| No Claim Bonus | Up to 200 percent |
| Restoration of Sum Insured | Yes (100 percent) |
| Health Check-ups | Annual, all plans |
| OPD Cover | Yes (optional) |
| Maternity Cover | Yes (top-ups) |
| Pre-Existing Disease Wait | 2-4 years |
| Global Coverage | Choose plans |
| Claim Approval (Avg Days) | 2-5 |
Comparing premiums is an important step. Here’s an average range for a family floater plan (2 adults, 1 child, ₹10 lakh sum insured, for ages 30):
| Insurer | Annual Premium 2025 (approx) |
|---|---|
| Care Health Insurance | 18,000 - 21,500 |
| SBI General Health Insurance | 16,700 - 20,900 |
It is necessary to mention that the premiums can be different due to age, health condition, city, add-ons, and inflation. Both companies have online premium calculators on their official websites to get exact quotes. A large number of users prefer to compare policies on the main online comparison websites that save time and present all insurer plans side by side.
Policyholders are greatly concerned about claim settlement. Both companies have enhanced their digital claim systems:
| Insurer | Claim Settlement Ratio 2023-24* | Average Settlement Time |
|---|---|---|
| Care Health Insurance | 97.23 percent | 2-4 days (cashless) |
| SBI General | 96.85 percent | 3-6 days (cashless) |
Both insurers enable users to upload all documents and monitor the status of the claim through mobile applications and web-based portals.
Real Example:
Ramesh, an IT professional in Kolkata, said,
My mother was hospitalized to undergo angioplasty. Care Health approved my case cashless within two hours and I did not pay any money in advance. Their app was easy to document.”
Which is the quickest health insurance claim approval company?
Care Health tends to have slightly quicker average approval rates according to customer data in 2025, but both are efficient.
You didn’t know that?
SBI General has recently launched WhatsApp-based customer care, eliminating the need of many to call or email to get routine queries answered.
The customer reviews in the recent past have shown that both have been very satisfying.
| Aspect | Care Health Insurance | SBI General Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| General Satisfaction | 4.5 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Claim Process | 4.7 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Customer Support | 4.4 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Value for Money | 4.3 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Digital Experience | 4.6 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
Online consumer feedback Q1 2025
The decision between these two depends on your individual requirements.
Case study:
In 2025, Shruti, a 29-year-old Gurgaon entrepreneur, compared plans using a large online health insurance marketplace. She selected SBI General because of its low premiums and the government-owned brand, though she had considered Care because of its broader benefits.
I felt safer with a bank insurer, but my close friend with chronic illness preferred Care as it has more developed add-ons, she said.
Do I need to use online marketplaces to compare health insurance?
Yes. Platforms allow you to compare prices, features, network hospitals and actual user reviews of these and other top insurers in a short time.
Both insurers now enable policy management to be done online completely:
The number of portability requests has increased by 32 percent in 2024-25, with the major reason being customers who want better value or digital services.
Both companies have specific plans and add-ons to:
They both have lists of inclusions and waiting periods and each has its own list so it is important to review these depending on your demographic.
Due to the sophistication and customisation of health insurance, more Indians are now browsing through online marketplaces to:
This is not only time-saving, but also helps make a more informed, pressure-free choice.
You didn’t know that?
In 2024, more than 4 crore Indians compared at least two health insurers online before purchasing or renewing their health plans.
Which has the superior claims approval process?
Both Care Health and SBI General are quick and clear. Care Health is slightly faster according to user surveys in 2025.
Can I transfer my old plan to these insurers?
A: Yes. Both allow portability provided that it is requested prior to the expiry of the current policy.
Who is a suitable buyer of a family floater in SBI General?
A: Suitable to joint families or those who would like to have government supported companies and low premiums.
Does Care Health Insurance suit senior citizens?
Yes, the senior citizen plans offered by Care have higher sum insured, annual health check-up, and dedicated customer care.
How can I see whether my hospital is covered?
You may find hospital networks on the websites of companies or through major online markets.
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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