Health insurance policies are a vital component of your overall financial plan. Medical insurance policies provide a safety net to cover medical expenses that can be substantial and unexpected.
Health insurance is a core part of any financial plan. It covers medical expenses that can be both significant and unexpected, and with medical inflation running at 14% in India (the highest in Asia), getting coverage right matters more than ever.
But most companies stop at selecting an insurer. That's just the beginning. What happens after enrollment is what determines whether health benefits actually work: claims support, employee engagement, preventive care. Modern insurtech platforms like Loop address exactly this gap, bringing prevention, protection, and care together so healthcare feels frictionless rather than frustrating.
Looking for health insurance in Bangalore? Here are the top companies and what they offer.
Top 10 Health Insurance Companies In Bangalore
Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, is home to the top health insurance companies. Each offers a range of benefits and services to its customers. Thinking of buying a health insurance policy in Bangalore? Here are some of the best health insurance companies in Bangalore and the benefits they offer.
1. ICICI Lombard General Insurance
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited is a joint venture between ICICI Bank Limited and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. The company offers various health insurance plans, including individual, family, critical illness, and group health insurance plans.
Notable features
- Cashless treatment in over 6,500 hospitals across India
- Coverage for pre and post-hospitalization expenses
- Lifelong renewability
2. HDFC ERGO General Insurance
HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited is a joint venture between HDFC Limited and ERGO International AG, the primary insurance entity of Munich Re Group. HDFC ERGO is one of the top health insurance companies in Bangalore.
Note: In November 2020, HDFC ERGO merged with HDFC ERGO Health Insurance (formerly Apollo Munich Health Insurance Company Limited), making it the second-largest private insurer in the accident and health insurance business.
The company offers various health insurance plans, including individual, family, critical illness, and group health insurance plans.
Notable features:
- Over 10,000+ cashless hospitals across India
- Coverage for pre and post-hospitalization expenses
- Critical illness cover
- 24x7 customer support in 10 different languages
- Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR) of 80.98% (FY 2023-24)
3. Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance
Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance is a joint venture between Bajaj Finserv Limited and Allianz SE. The company offers various health insurance plans, including individual, family, critical illness, and group health insurance plans.
Notable features
- 6,500+ network hospitals all over India
- Coverage for pre and post-hospitalization expenses
- 24x7 customer support
4. Star Health Insurance
Star Health and Allied Insurance Co Ltd is an Indian multinational health insurance company headquartered in Chennai. The company provides services in health, personal accident and overseas travel insurance, directly as well as through various channels like agents, brokers and online.
Notable features
- 14000+ Network Hospitals
- High claim ratio of 89.9%
- Pre-insurance medical screening is not mandatory in most policies
5. Niva Bupa Health Insurance
Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited (rebranded from Max Bupa in 2021) is a joint venture between Niva India Limited and Bupa, a leading international healthcare group. The company offers various health insurance plans, including individual, family, and critical illness health insurance plans.
Notable features:
- Over 8,000+ hospitals across India
- Coverage for pre and post-hospitalization expenses
- Lifelong renewability
- Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR) of 59.02% (FY 2023-24)
Also read: Is Medical Insurance Mandatory for Employees in India?
6. TATA AIG
Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited is a joint venture between the Tata Group and American International Group (AIG).
Notable features
- A high health insurance claim settlement ratio of 94.21%
- A discount for additional enrolment of family members
- A substantial Cumulative Bonus for Claim-free Years
7. Care Health Insurance
Care Health Insurance Limited (formerly Religare Health Insurance Company Limited) was established in July 2012 and is part of the Religare Group and a direct subsidiary of Religare Enterprises. The company offers a special senior citizen insurance which offers benefits customized for senior citizens.
Notable Features:
- 95.2% claim settlement ratio
- 24X7 claim support
- Network of 10,000-24,800 hospitals (varies by plan)
- Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR) of 57.69% (FY 2023-24)
8. Apollo Munich Health Insurance
Apollo Munich Health Insurance Company Limited is a joint venture between the Apollo Hospitals Group and Munich Health, a subsidiary of Munich Re. The company offers a range of health insurance plans, including individual, family, and senior citizen health insurance plans.
Notable features
- Wide range of insurance plans
- Cashless treatment in over 5000 hospitals across India
- Pre and post-hospitalization expenses covered
9. Reliance General Insurance
Reliance General Insurance Company Limited is a subsidiary of Reliance Capital Limited. The company offers various health insurance plans, including individual, family, and group health insurance plans.
Notable Features
- Cashless hospitalization in over 4,000 hospitals across India
- Coverage for pre and post
- Lifelong renewability
10. ManipalCigna ProHealth Insurance Plan
Manipal Group is India’s Second Largest healthcare chain. Manipal owns and operates 27 patient-friendly hospitals across 15 cities with 7600+ beds and a pool of 4000+ doctors.
Cigna is a Global Healthcare service company with roots as deep as 225+ years. Cigna has sales capability in 30+ countries and jurisdictions. Cigna has 1 Million + relationships with healthcare providers, clinics, and facilities.
Notable Features
- AYUSH cover
- Domiciliary hospitalization
- Worldwide emergency cover
Employee Mental Health Handbook
Learn how mental illness is costing your employees and your business, and what you can do about it.
Understanding Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR)
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) now publishes the Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR) instead of the Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) in its annual reports. ICR measures the total claims paid by an insurance company against the total premiums collected in a financial year.
What does ICR tell you?
- An ICR of 88% means the insurer pays ₹88 in claims for every ₹100 collected in premiums
- The remaining ₹12 represents the insurer's operational profit
- An ideal ICR falls between 70-90%
- ICR above 100% indicates the company is paying more in claims than it collects in premiums
Health Insurance ICR Data for FY 2023-24
Here are the latest Incurred Claim Ratios for major health insurers operating in Bangalore, with year-over-year comparison:
Important note: The overall health insurance industry ICR improved from 88.89% in FY 2022-23 to 88.15% in FY 2023-24, indicating better claims management across the sector. During 2023-24, insurers settled approximately 83% of total claims registered, repudiated about 11%, and the remaining 6% were pending settlement as of March 31, 2024.
Industry-wide ICR comparison:
- Overall health insurance sector: 88.89% (2022-23) → 88.15% (2023-24)
- Public sector insurers: 104.91% (2022-23) → 103.38% (2023-24)
- Private sector insurers: 86.82% (2022-23) → 88.71% (2023-24)
- Standalone health insurers: 62.17% (2022-23) → 64.71% (2023-24)
(Source: IRDAI Handbook on Indian Insurance Statistics 2023-24)
{{divider}}
How to choose the best health insurance policy in Bangalore?
Here are some things to consider when choosing a health insurance policy from the list of health insurance companies in Bangalore.
1. Coverage:
One of the most crucial factors to consider when choosing a health insurance plan is coverage. Look for a plan that covers most of your medical expenses, including hospitalization, doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, and medication.
2. Network:
Check whether the plan has a network of hospitals and doctors in your area. A plan with a wide network of hospitals and doctors will provide you with more options and flexibility.
3. Premium:
The premium is the amount you pay for the health plan. Consider your budget and choose a plan that fits within it. Keep in mind that a higher health insurance premium does not necessarily mean better coverage.
4. Co-payments and deductibles:
Co-payments and deductibles are the amounts you pay out of your pocket when you receive medical services. Check the plan's co-payment and deductible amounts and choose one that you can afford.
5. Pre-existing conditions:
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, check whether the plan covers it. Some plans have waiting periods before they cover pre-existing conditions.
6. Renewability:
Choose a plan that allows you to renew it every year without any restrictions.
7. Customer service:
Check the plan's customer service reviews and ratings to ensure that they provide excellent customer service.
{{divider}}
Which is the best health insurance in Bangalore for corporates?
Health insurance is a mandatory benefit for corporations to offer their employees. However, it is essential to choose the right health insurance plan for your corporation.
Loop, a leading employee health benefits platform, offers one of the best health insurance for corporates in Bangalore. Here are some reasons why choosing the health insurance plan from Loop is essential for corporations.
1. Attracting and retaining employees:
Providing health insurance is one of the essential benefits that employees look for when considering job offers. Offering the right health insurance plan can help attract top talent and retain employees, reducing turnover rates and associated costs.
Secrets To Attract Talent Beyond Compensation
Bring innovation to your hiring and win over candidates beyond salary.
2. Promoting employee well-being:
A good health insurance plan can help promote the well-being of your employees. By providing coverage for preventive care, routine check-ups, and necessary medical treatments, employees are more likely to seek medical attention when needed.
This can help prevent more severe health issues and improve overall employee productivity.
3. Reducing healthcare costs:
Choosing the right health insurance plan can help reduce healthcare costs for both the corporation and employees. By providing coverage for preventive care, early detection of illnesses, and necessary treatments, healthcare costs can be significantly reduced.
Additionally, offering wellness programs and incentives can encourage healthy behaviors and further reduce healthcare costs.
Also read: Why Your Employees Need a Doctor They Can Actually Reach
4. Compliance with regulations:
Corporations are required to comply with certain healthcare regulations, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Choosing the right health insurance plan can help ensure that your corporation complies with these regulations and avoids penalties.
5. Customization:
Choosing the right health insurance plan allows corporations to customize the benefits and coverage they provide to their employees. Customization can help meet the unique needs of your corporation and employees, promoting employee satisfaction and engagement. At Loop, we work with companies to design benefits that match specific workforce needs, be it mental health support, diabetes management, or enhanced maternity coverage.
HR’s guide to employee engagement
Transform your workplace with these proven engagement strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum sum insured I should consider in Bangalore?
With medical inflation at 14% (the highest in Asia) and average hospitalization costs rising 11.35% year-over-year, ₹10 lakh is now considered baseline adequate coverage for metro residents. Procedures like angioplasty have doubled in cost since 2018.
What's the difference between ICR and Claim Settlement Ratio?
IRDAI now publishes Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR) instead of Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR). ICR measures total claims paid against total premiums collected. An ideal ICR falls between 70-90%.
Is group health insurance mandatory for companies?
Yes. Since April 2020, companies with 10+ employees must provide group health insurance coverage as per Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines.
How does an insurtech platform like Loop differ from traditional insurance brokers?
Traditional brokers help with policy selection. An employee health benefits platform like Loop combines insurance broking with preventive healthcare. Beyond policy selection, Loop offers 24/7 medical advisors, unlimited doctor consultations, wellness programs, and digital claims filing and support. Loop's focus is on preventing claims, not just processing them.
What health challenges are specific to Bangalore's workforce?
According to Loop's WHI data, Bangalore professionals show high awareness but poor execution. 69.8% are Vitamin D deficient despite year-round sunshine and 52.1% supplement use.
What waiting period should I expect for pre-existing conditions?
IRDAI's 2024 reforms reduced pre-existing disease waiting periods from four years to three. Some insurers offer shorter waiting periods as a competitive advantage.
How do wellness programs reduce insurance costs?
Preventive care catches health issues early, before they require hospitalization. Loop's data shows that employees who engage with wellness programs and doctor consultations have fewer claims. Fewer claims translate to better renewal pricing for companies.
Why should corporates consider an employee health benefits platform instead of just buying insurance?
Insurance covers you when something goes wrong. An employee health benefits platform like Loop helps prevent things from going wrong in the first place. With 24/7 medical advisors, wellness programs, and proactive health management, employees stay healthier. Healthier employees mean fewer claims, lower premiums, and better productivity.
{{divider}}
Insurance Is the Starting Point, Not the Finish Line
Bangalore has no shortage of good health insurance options. The ten insurers listed here all offer solid coverage, extensive hospital networks, and competitive claim ratios. Any of them can protect your employees when medical emergencies arise.
But protection is only half the equation.
Loop's Workforce Health Index shows that Bangalore's professionals are among the most health-aware in India. They take supplements. They know the risks. Yet 69.8% remain Vitamin D deficient. 33.1% show liver dysfunction. 21.4% are nicotine dependent. Awareness without action doesn't move the needle.
For corporates, this means the real question isn't just "which insurer should we choose?" It's "how do we help employees stay healthy in the first place?"
That's where the shift from traditional insurance to a complete employee health benefits platform matters. When employees have 24/7 access to medical advisors, free doctor consultations, and wellness programs that fit into their workday, they're more likely to catch problems early.
Early intervention = fewer hospitalizations = lower claims. Lower claims mean better renewal pricing and a healthier workforce.
The best health insurance decision you can make for your Bangalore team isn't just picking the right policy, it's choosing a partner who helps your people stay out of the hospital in the first place.
Loop was built for this. As an employee health benefits platform, Loop focuses on keeping employees healthy, not just covering them when they're not.
Ready to make health benefits work harder for your organization? Get in touch with Loop to learn more.
