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Last updated on: September 22, 2025
The Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani Plan and the Star Comprehensive Plan with Ped Buyback Rider cater to different health insurance needs. The Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani is a standardized, affordable policy with coverage between ₹1 lakh and ₹5 lakh, basic features like hospitalization, AYUSH, and no-claim bonus, but limited customization. In contrast, the Star Comprehensive Plan offers broader coverage, including higher sum insured options, maternity, health check-ups, and enhanced benefits; when paired with the PED Buyback Rider, it significantly reduces pre-existing disease waiting periods, making it ideal for those with existing health issues. While Reliance’s plan suits budget-conscious individuals seeking essential coverage, Star Comprehensive with PED Buyback justifies its higher premium by providing more flexibility, extensive features, and faster access for those with pre-existing conditions.
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When you will be seeking efficient health insurance in 2025, you might encounter two most demanded options Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani Plan and Star Comprehensive Insurance with the PED (Pre Existing Disease) Buyback Rider. Making a decision between these plans may be confusing to people and families that want to be safe in terms of financial security in case of increased medical monetary costs in India. Both of these choices are discussed in this guide and you should be able to know the features, differences, and how they fit your individual needs.
The issue of selecting the appropriate health policy can lead to an extra need to look past the premium price. The amount of money insured, the process of claims, the hospital network, the waiting time on pre-existing diseases, the covers of new treatments, maternity benefits, added ons like rider options, and others are all contributing factors to the peace of mind to you and your loved ones. You will find in this current 2025 update of Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani vs. Star Comprehensive Insurance (with PED Buyback) how each plan fits into the current evolving healthcare environment.
Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani is a standard health insurance coverage, which is aimed to get the basic medical cover at a low cost. Introduced in accordance with the rules of the IRDAI, it is a convenient policy of entry level, which any person or a family can use to protect their further in case of hospitalisation and other costs.
People also ask:
What are the diseases that Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani plan covers?
Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani Plan takes care of all the diseases that involve hospitalisation but with waiting periods and exclusions as indicated in the policy.
Star Comprehensive Insurance is a developed health insurance which is characterized by wide coverage such as maternity, dental and outpatient care. Its ability to incorporate PED Buyback Rider also makes it unlike other plans, it diminishes the time required before the coverage of a pre-existing disease.
Did you know?
Over 40 percent of the policyholders of Star Health in 2025 chose at least one rider to increase coverage on health citing the increased lifestyle diseases.
People also ask:
Does Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani suffice to undergo surgeries?
Most of the regular hospitalisations are covered but in case of critical surgeries and bills are higher the sum insured may not be enough.
Experts’ insight
It makes sense to buyback riders to reduce waiting times in people of over 35 years or those having lifestyle diseases. It enables one to access treatment without protracted delays," Arun Bansal, insurance consultant, Mumbai.
| Characteristic | Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani | Star Comprehensive with PED Buyback Rider |
|---|---|---|
| Sum insured | 1 lakh to 5 lakh | 5 lakh to 1 crore |
| Entry Age | 18 to 65 years | 18 to 65 years (to 70 years renewed) |
| Pre Existing Disease | 4 years waiting | 3-4 years normal, 1-2 years with rider |
| OPD and Dental | Not covered | Covered |
| Maternity Benefit | Not covered | Covered |
| Modern Treatments | Covered according to IRDAI | Comprehensive coverage |
| Room Rent | 2 percent sum insured limit max | No sublimit |
| Co Payment | 5 percent required | Nil except where voluntarily chosen and most ages |
| Hospital Network | All major cities in India | More than 14000 hospitals |
| Premium (approximately, 2025) | Rs. 3500-6000 per annum (5 lakh SI) | Rs. 9500-25000 per annum (5 lakh-10 lakh SI with rider) |
| Renewal | Lifetime | Lifetime |
People also ask:
What plan serves the most number of hospitals and city locations?
Star Comprehensive has a much larger hospital network, which is suitable in both the metro or smaller urban areas.
What is the actual benefit of PED Buyback Rider to the policyholders?
In 2025, PED Buyback Rider is one of the rare pastimes so that you can cover your already existent ailments (such as diabetes, high blood pressure) much earlier after acquiring the policy. Normally, you’d wait 3 or 4 years. The rider offered at Star Comprehensive minimizes this waiting time to a maximum of one or two years upon another premium.
Experts explain
It was revealed by the claim data in 2024 that more than half of the hospitalisation bills exceeding Rs. 5 lakh were associated with already diagnosed conditions. PED Buyback assists individuals to redeem huge bills faster following the policy acquisition.
What is the price of the PED Buyback Rider?
Premiums are age and condition dependent and anticipate 15 to 25 percent premium increment over the foundation policy price.
People also ask:
Is the Star plan not costly to the youths?
Although the price of Star Comprehensive is higher, additional features and large sum insured can be justified in case of families planning children or who are likely to have greater costs.
Star Comprehensive policy with PED Buyback was one of the top bought family floater policies in the major cities of India in 2024 and is likely to gain further popularity in 2025 because of the rising lifestyle diseases.
Two plans are still good options but your specific needs will determine the option to choose. Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani has a good market with first timers, singles and young families depending on them. Star Comprehensive with PED Buyback is better adapted to those who want long-term coverage, families, and in particular those who have an established risk of illnesses.
Real world tip
A lot of young technicians buy employer health cover along with a simple personal Arogya Sanjeevani, and upgrade to Star Comprehensive with riders as life and health requirements increase.
Is Arogya Sanjeevani substitutable with Star Comprehensive in the future?
Yes, you may transfer your health insurance cover to any other insurer, although on the condition of underwriting and subject to waiting period as stipulated in IRDAI.
Q. Does health insurance in India cover maternity and newborns? 2025.
Star Comprehensive has maternity and baby care built-in where Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani does not.
Q. How long is the waiting period on the pre existing diseases in the two plans?
Reliance Arogya Sanjeevani has a normal four year PED waiting time. Star Comprehensive also lowers it down to four years down to one year with the PED Buyback Rider.
Q. Is it possible to purchase such plans online in 2025?
Yes, the two policies allow purchase and renewal digitally.
Q. Are they both covered under AYUSH treatment?
The AYUSH cover is available in both plans, albeit Star Comprehensive is more comprehensive.
Q. What will become of me in case of missing renewal?
There is a grace period which is short, yet further benefits must be renewed appropriately.
Q. Which is the best in families having senior citizens?
The most suitable is Star Comprehensive with PED Buyback Rider because of high sum insured and shortened PED waiting period, which is beneficial to the elderly.
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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