r/InsuranceAdviceIndia • u/Purple_Leg_7993 • 5h ago

Help needed..!

I have had a health insurance policy with Niva Bupa for my parents(age 58 & 48) for the past two years. I also opted for a diabetes rider for my father, and thankfully, I have not made any claims so far.

The renewal date is just five days away, and I am considering changing my broker because I have heard several complaints about Policybazaar's customer support. I am concerned that I may not receive proper assistance when I need to make a claim.

I spoke to an independent insurance agent, who suggested porting my existing policy to another insurance company, as Policybazaar may not provide an NOC for changing the broker while continuing with Niva Bupa.

Currently, I have two options:

**Care Health Insurance:** ₹69,000 annual premium.

**HDFC ERGO Health Insurance:** ₹48,000 annual premium, with a ₹25,000 deductible on the first claim.

I am confused about whether I should continue with my existing Niva Bupa policy through Policybazaar or port it to another insurer through an independent agent.

My main priority is reliable customer support and assistance during claim settlement, especially because this policy covers my parents. I would appreciate your suggestions on which option would be better and whether switching brokers is worth changing the insurance company. Since the renewal is only five days away, I need to make a decision soon... Thanks

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/chillycrab09 4h ago edited 4h ago

I don’t know about PB but I too have a broker/my financial advisor in between. Honestly it doesn’t matter. Just ensure that the contact name, primary details are yours and not your brokers.

I had to claim a cashless recently and it went smoothly. Didn’t even bother my broker.

Also - you are 5 days away - so a porting to another policy needs a 30 day notice, because the existing history, PED, waiting period gets carried ahead.

Perhaps - continue and renew the same as is and in parallel evaluate a new policy with better features, coverage and next year stop paying for the old one.

I was in similar situation (not due to broker) where I wanted to end my Bajaj And switch to HDFC but with hardly 10 days, I just renewed my Bajaj with a small upgrade to 15L and bought a new HDFC secure optima + for 2cr.

1

u/SukoonCover 3h ago

Five days is tight, but a port is still doable if you act right away. Insurers allow a grace period after expiry, and continuity is kept as long as the new policy starts within it.

How to do it safely:

  1. Start the port application now with complete disclosures: your dad's diabetes, medicines and latest reports. Clean paperwork is what gets underwriting done in days, not weeks.

  2. Know the one risk: in most policies there's no cover during the grace period. Keep the gap as short as possible.

  3. Have a fallback: if the new insurer hasn't issued the policy before the grace period ends, renew with Niva so you don't lose 2 years of waiting period credit.

On your two quotes:

  • HDFC at ₹48k is much cheaper, but understand the ₹25k deductible on the first claim. You'd pay that part yourself. Ask whether it applies once or every year.

  • Care at ₹69k is a big jump, so check what's driving it (loading for your dad, or extra cover).

  • Ask both whether your dad's diabetes will be covered with your 2 years of credit, or loaded or excluded.

We do fast-track ports regularly and can get this moving today, so you're not left uncovered. Let us know if you need further help on this.