Standalone Health Insurance Companies in India (2026)
India has 8 IRDAI-registered standalone health insurers — companies that sell only health policies. They are not automatically better than a general insurer's health plan, but they often specialise in hospitalisation, critical illness and senior-citizen covers. Compare claim settlement ratio, network hospitals and room-rent limits, not just premium.
- 8 IRDAI-registered insurers
- Health-only specialists
- AMFI ARN-151469
- Last verified: November 2026
Complete list of standalone health insurers in India
India has 8 IRDAI-registered standalone health insurers. Star Health and Care Health are the largest by retail premium; Niva Bupa and Aditya Birla Health have grown fast on group and retail health; ManipalCigna and Galaxy specialise in hospital-linked plans; Narayana Health Insurance is the newest entrant (2023) and Prudential HCL Health (2025) is the most recent. All eight are private.
- Verified official number
- "Not offered" = insurer does not publish this facility
| Company | Missed call | Claim helpline | Login | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star HealthChennai · 2006Private | 95976 52225 | Not offered | 1800 425 225524×7 | Sign In |
| Care HealthGurugram · 2012Private | 88604 02452 | Not offered | 1800 102 4488 | Login |
| Niva Bupa HealthNew Delhi · 2008Private | 98119 56696 | Not offered | 1860 500 8888 | Customer Service |
| Aditya Birla HealthMumbai · 2016Private | 88288 00035Cashless desk | Not offered | 1800 270 7000 | Login |
| ManipalCignaMumbai · 2013Private | 90358 54236 | Not offered | 1800 102 446224×7 | e-Servicing |
| Galaxy HealthChennai · 2022Private | — | Not offered | 1800 203 0007 | Login |
| Narayana Health InsuranceBengaluru · 2023Private | — | Not offered | 98210 3407124×7 | Login |
| Prudential HCL HealthMumbai · 2025Private | — | Not offered | 1800 268 2000 | Login |
Health-only insurer की general insurer चा health plan? WhatsApp +91 94059 08605 — आम्ही exclusions, room-rent caps आणि network hospitals तुलना करून सांगतो.
Standalone health insurance in India — frequently asked questions
How many standalone health insurers are there in India?
India has 8 IRDAI-registered standalone health insurers as of November 2026: Star Health, Care Health, Niva Bupa, Aditya Birla Health, ManipalCigna, Galaxy Health, Narayana Health Insurance and Prudential HCL Health. All are private.
Is a standalone health insurer better than a general insurer's health plan?
Not automatically. Standalone insurers specialise in health — product design, hospital networks and claim teams are usually tighter. General insurers may bundle motor and health at a lower combined premium. Compare the claim settlement ratio, cashless hospital list in your city, room-rent cap and pre-existing disease waiting period on both.
Which standalone health insurer has the best network of hospitals?
Star Health and Care Health have the largest cashless hospital networks nationally; Niva Bupa and ManipalCigna are also strong in metros. Check the insurer's hospital list filtered by your pin code — a big national network with no cashless hospital in your area is worse than a smaller network that includes your local hospital.
What is the waiting period for pre-existing diseases?
Most health policies impose a 2–4 year waiting period before pre-existing conditions are covered. IRDAI has capped the maximum waiting period for lifestyle diseases, but always read the specific policy's wording. Conditions disclosed and accepted at proposal stage are covered after the waiting period; undisclosed conditions may be rejected at claim time.
Can I port my existing health policy to a standalone health insurer?
Yes. IRDAI allows portability between any two health insurers (general or standalone). You must apply at least 30 days before renewal. The new insurer must offer at least the same sum insured, and your accrued waiting periods (including pre-existing disease) carry forward if you port without a break. Do not let the policy lapse before porting — that resets the waiting period.
Is Advisor4u recommending any of these insurers?
No. This page is a directory, not a ranking. Advisor4u (AMFI ARN-151469) advises on insurance separately and is not compensated for listing any insurer here.
Verification & disclaimer. Company details are cross-checked against the IRDAI register (policyholder.gov.in) and official insurer websites as of November 2026. Numbers, WhatsApp channels and login URLs can change without notice — always confirm on the insurer's official website before calling or entering credentials. This page is for information and education only and is not a recommendation of any specific insurer.
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