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Critical illness insurance pays out a lump sum on diagnosis of conditions like cancer, heart attack, or stroke — separate from your regular health cover. We compare payout amounts, covered illnesses, and waiting periods across India's top insurers.
Ranked by claim settlement ratio, network size, plan quality, and customer experience. Tap "Compare" on any 2 companies to see them side by side.
HDFC ERGO offers one of the most comprehensive critical illness covers with lump-sum payout on diagnosis of 15+ illnesses including cancer, heart attack, and stroke.
HDFC ERGO Critical Illness stands out for its high claim settlement ratio, wide illness coverage, and hassle-free digital claim process. Ideal for salaried professionals seeking income protection.
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Cons
ICICI Lombard Critical Illness Plan provides coverage for 20 critical illnesses with fast claim settlement and a robust digital platform for policy management.
ICICI Lombard is a top pick for tech-savvy buyers who want a seamless online experience. Strong claim track record and wide illness coverage make it a reliable choice.
Pros
Cons
Aditya Birla Critical Illness Assure Plan covers 64 critical illnesses — one of the highest in the industry — with multiple payout options including lump sum and income benefit.
If breadth of coverage matters most, Aditya Birla wins hands down with 64 illnesses covered. The income benefit option is a unique add-on for long recovery periods.
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Cons
Care Critical Illness insurance offers affordable coverage for 32 critical illnesses with a straightforward claim process and a strong hospital network across India.
Care CI is the go-to plan for buyers who want solid coverage without burning a hole in their pocket. Good illness list and decent claim ratio make it a reliable budget pick.
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Cons
Star Health Critical Illness plan provides coverage for 37 critical illnesses with one of the largest hospital networks in India and a dedicated health insurance focus.
Star Health brings its renowned hospital network expertise to CI insurance. With 11,000+ hospitals and a health-only focus, it is a trustworthy option for those who value cashless access.
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Niva Bupa Critical Illness plan (formerly Max Bupa) covers 20 critical illnesses with a strong reputation for transparent claims and customer-first service.
Niva Bupa is known for its no-surprises claim process. If you have had bad experiences with claim rejections elsewhere, Niva Bupa is a breath of fresh air with clear policy terms.
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Bajaj Allianz Critical Illness Insurance covers 10 major illnesses with competitive premiums and a solid track record in the general insurance space.
Bajaj Allianz keeps it simple — 10 major illnesses, low premium, reliable claims. Best for buyers who want no-frills protection against the most common critical conditions.
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Cons
Tata AIG Critical Illness plan offers coverage for 15 critical illnesses backed by Tata group trust and AIG global expertise, with a high claim settlement ratio.
Tata AIG brings the reliability of the Tata brand with global insurance expertise. A slightly higher premium is justified by the strong claim ratio and brand credibility.
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Cons
SBI General Critical Illness plan is backed by India largest bank, offering affordable CI cover for 13 illnesses with easy policy purchase through SBI branches.
If you already bank with SBI, this plan offers the easiest purchase experience. Premiums are among the lowest, though the claim ratio and network are slightly below top peers.
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Cons
New India Assurance Critical Illness plan is a PSU-backed option offering basic CI cover for 11 illnesses at the most affordable premium in the market.
New India Assurance is the most affordable option on this list and carries the credibility of a government-backed insurer. Best suited for those who prefer PSU insurers on principle.
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All key metrics at a glance.
| # | Company | Claim Settlement | Starting Premium | Max Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  HDFC ERGO Critical Illness | 98.2% | ₹3,500/yr | ₹1 Crore |
| 2 |  ICICI Lombard Critical Illness | 97.8% | ₹3,800/yr | ₹1 Crore |
| 3 |  Aditya Birla Critical Illness | 96.5% | ₹4,000/yr | ₹2 Crore |
| 4 |  Care Critical Illness | 95.2% | ₹3,200/yr | ₹50 Lakh |
| 5 |  Star Health Critical Illness | 94.8% | ₹3,600/yr | ₹75 Lakh |
| 6 |  Niva Bupa Critical Illness | 96.1% | ₹3,900/yr | ₹1 Crore |
| 7 |  Bajaj Allianz Critical Illness | 95.7% | ₹3,300/yr | ₹50 Lakh |
| 8 |  Tata AIG Critical Illness | 97.1% | ₹4,200/yr | ₹1 Crore |
| 9 |  SBI General Critical Illness | 93.5% | ₹2,800/yr | ₹50 Lakh |
| 10 |  New India Assurance Critical Illness | 92.3% | ₹2,500/yr | ₹25 Lakh |
Key features you must check before buying any critical illness plan in India.
Check how many critical illnesses are covered — good policies cover 20-40+ conditions including all major cancer stages, not just 8-10 basic ones.
Many cheap policies only pay out for major/advanced stage cancer. Choose a plan that also pays a partial benefit for early or minor stage diagnosis.
Most policies require you to survive 15-30 days post-diagnosis to claim. Prefer plans with the shortest survival period, ideally 14 days.
Standard plans pay out once and terminate. Look for multi-claim options that allow payouts across different illness categories in the same policy.
Since critical illness risk often correlates with existing conditions, a shorter pre-existing disease waiting period of 1-2 years is valuable.
A standalone critical illness policy usually offers a bigger payout and more conditions covered than a rider attached to your life or health policy.
Critical illness insurance provides a lump-sum payout upon diagnosis of a covered serious illness like cancer, heart attack, or stroke, helping cover treatment and other expenses.
Common covered illnesses include cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, major organ transplant, and paralysis, though the exact list varies by insurer.
Health insurance reimburses actual medical expenses, while critical illness insurance pays a fixed lump sum on diagnosis, regardless of the actual treatment cost incurred.
Yes, most policies have an initial waiting period, often 90 days, and a survival period after diagnosis before the claim is payable.
Yes, premiums generally qualify for deduction under Section 80D, similar to health insurance, subject to applicable limits.
Critical illness cover can be purchased as a standalone policy or added as a rider to an existing life or health insurance plan.
The lump-sum payout can be used for any purpose, including medical treatment, loss of income, debt repayment, or lifestyle adjustments during recovery.
Depending on age and sum insured, insurers may require medical tests to assess health risk before issuing the policy.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only. Premium amounts are indicative and may vary based on age, health, and plan selected. Please verify all details directly with the insurer before purchasing. Finzony is not an insurance broker or agent.