Health Insurance Porting

Unhappy with claim delays, poor network hospitals, or rising premiums? Port your health insurance to a better plan—without resetting PED waiting periods, NCB, or moratorium. IRDAI mandates continuity, but 45-day timing is critical. In 2025, with better features (unlimited restore, Day 1 PED), porting upgrades Rs. 5L covers to Rs. 20L+ seamlessly. Here's the step-by-step process, rules, and pitfalls.​ 

What is Health Insurance Portability?

Portability lets you switch insurers at renewal while preserving continuity benefits:

• Waiting Periods: PED (3 years), specific diseases (36 months)—proportional credit.​
• NCB/Cumulative Bonus: Transfers fully (e.g., 50% bonus intact).​
• Moratorium: 5-year non-contestability continues.​
• Accrued Benefits: No reset on loyalty discounts.

Eligibility: Individual/family floaters only (no group-to-retail mid-term).​

Not Migration: Port = different insurer; migration = same insurer, just a plan upgrade.

What is Health Insurance Migration?

Migration is the process of shifting your existing health insurance policy to a similar policy within the same insurance company. 

Eg ​: Migrating from Aditya Birla Activ Health Platinum Essential to Aditya Birla Active One Max.

If you’re migrating your policy, you’ll have to inform the insurer 30 days before your policy renewal date.

Why Port? (Top Reasons)

• Better Features: Unlimited restoration, No Room Rent cap, No Claim Bonuses, Inflation Protection, AYUSH treatment cover, Day 1 PED cover.
• Wider Cashless Network: 10k+ hospitals vs old 3k.​
• Lower Premiums: Competitive quotes (20-30% savings).​
• Claim Ratio: Switch from <90% CSR insurers.​
• Upgrade SI: From Rs. 5L to Rs. 25L without full underwriting (not all insurers provide this benefit)

Usual Issue: Increased Sum Insured portion gets fresh waiting periods.​ in above example, the difference sum insured of Rs. 20 (25-5) lakh gets fresh waiting period. So please be wary while increasing the cover during porting. 

Porting Process: Start 45-60 days early

Step	Action	Timeline ​
1: Choose New Plan	Compare (SI, NCB, network, CSR)	60 days pre-renewal
2: Apply to New Insurer	Submit portability + proposal form	45-60 days before expiry
3: New Insurer Requests Data	Old insurer shares via IRDAI IIB portal	Within 7 days
4: Underwriting	New insurer reviews (may need tests)	15 days max decision
5: Approval	New policy issued; old auto-cancels	Renewal date
6: Confirm Continuity	Check policy schedule (NCB, waits)	Post-issue

Docs: Old policy, ID/address proof, medical records, claim history.​

No Gap: New starts when old ends.​

Which Policies can you Port Or Migrate?

You can port or migrate from one individual policy to another individual policy. And, if you’re covered under a group policy, you can port or migrate to an individual policy (Not common). 

Types of policies that you can port or migrate include - 

1. Indemnity-based policies :  where the insurer compensates you for the exact expenses you incurred. Regular health insurance policies are indemnity-based policies.
2. Hospital cash policies :  where you’re paid a fixed sum insured for each day you’re hospitalised. Usually these are Add-ons to your existing health insurance policies. 
3. Critical illness insurance policies : pays a fixed amount if you’re diagnosed with any critical disease that is listed in the policy document. These can be purchased separately or these usually available as Add-ons in Term Insurance or other Life Insurance policies.

What Transfers? (IRDAI Mandates)

✅ Waiting Periods: Proportional (3 years served = 0 wait on base SI).​

✅ NCB: 100% (Say, Rs. 10L SI + 50% Bonus = Rs. 15L carries).​

✅ Moratorium: 5-year clock continues.​

✅ No-Claim Years: Loyalty benefits.

What Doesn't Transfer?

❌ Increased Sum Insured (fresh waits).​ 

❌ Add-ons/riders (buy new).​

❌ Group policies (employer-specific).​

Porting vs Renewal: When to Switch?

Factor	Stay	Port ​
Network	Good (10k+)	Poor (<5k)
CSR	>95%	<90%
Premium Hike	<15%	>25%
Features	Unlimited restore	Room cap/claims delays
SI Upgrade	Costly	Seamless

Common Pitfalls & Fixes

Issue	Fix ​
Late Application	Start 60 days early (not 45)
Rejection	Medicals/claims history—appeal via IRDAI
SI Increase	Fresh waits on extra; plan ahead
Family Split	Port all or none (floater)
Grace Period	Renew old if delayed

Rejection Rights: New insurer must justify; IRDAI portal tracks.​

Checklist: Ready to Port?

✅ 45-60 Days Pre-Renewal (mark calendar).​

✅ Compare Minimum 3 Plans (SI, NCB, CSR >95%).​

✅ Gather Docs (old policy, KYC, records).​

✅ Same Category (base-to-base, not top-up).​

✅ Verify Continuity post-port (email new insurer).​

❌ Avoid: Mid-term, group-to-retail.

Important notes while Porting or Migrating:

• No gaps in old policy
  A lapsed policy generally cannot be ported or migrated, so keep your existing cover continuously in force.
• Transfer continuity benefits
  Ensure your waiting period credit, base sum insured, and no-claim bonuses are carried over; treatment can vary by insurer, so get it confirmed in writing.
• Full and honest medical disclosure
  Declare all past and current illnesses, treatments, and tests from before and during the old policy to avoid claim disputes later.
• Newly diagnosed conditions
  For diseases detected during the old policy, the new insurer may impose fresh waiting periods, exclusions, or extra premium (Loading), depending on severity.
• Porting is not guaranteed
  Insurers can decline or load porting/migration requests if age, health, lifestyle, or claim history make the risk unacceptable.
• Confirm portability in the new policy
  After approval, check that the policy schedule explicitly mentions portability/migration and continuity benefits, so you don’t unknowingly end up with a fresh policy.
  

Conclusion: Port for Future-Proof Coverage

Porting = free upgrade without resets. 2025's better plans (no caps, unlimited) make switching timely. Rs. 10L → Rs. 25L + 50% NCB seamlessly.

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose the No Claim Bonus while Porting?

No, New Insurer suppose to provide you any accumulated bonus in your current policy.

A Fresh Medicals needed for Porting ?

Possible, The PED and Specific Illnesses waiting period mentioned in the current policy will be waived off to the extent served in the new policy. For any new condition/s developed during current policy tenure, The new insurer as part of underwriting processmay ask for medicals especially while porting for Individuals above age 55.

Are there additional costs for Porting ?

No, Only premium for new insurance need to be paid.

Regards,

Honvest Team.