When comparing HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus vs Aditya Birla Activ One MAX, Optima Secure Plus stands out for immediate protection, offering 2X coverage from day 1, in-built unlimited restoration, and Infinity Bonus. Activ One MAX differentiates itself through HealthReturns rewards and the ability to build coverage up to 500% of the base Sum Insured (SI).
Both are comprehensive health insurance plans that come with no room-rent limits and in-built coverage for consumables. HDFC ERGO suits those prioritizing immediate protection, while Aditya Birla appeals to wellness-focused policyholders.
At Ditto, both policies are among the best health insurance plans we recommend, while HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus is our current top recommendation, depending on the customer profile. This guide suits those who want to explore both plans in depth.
Choosing between two health insurance plans in India is rarely about finding a perfect winner. The real question is which health plan aligns better with your priorities: stronger claims support, larger hospital access, wellness rewards, or long-term protection against medical inflation.
In the next few minutes, this guide will break down the features, premiums, and help you understand whether HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ or Aditya Birla Activ One MAX is a better fit for your medical needs.
Coverage Compared: Optima Secure+ vs Aditya Birla Activ One MAX
Features
HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+
Aditya Birla Activ One MAX
Sum Insured (SI)
₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore
₹5 lakh to ₹2 crore
Minimum Entry Age
18 years for adults and 91 days for children
18 years for adults and 91 days for children
Maximum Entry Age
60 years for adults and 25 years for children
No age capping for adults and 25 years for children
Exit Age
Lifelong renewability for adults and 26 years for children in a family floater policy (offered a separate individual plan on exit)
Adults have lifelong renewability, dependent children remain covered up to age 26, after which they can move to an individual policy (accrued benefits are carried forward)
Policy Tenure
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 years
1 / 2 / 3 years
Air Ambulance
Covered up to ₹5 lakh per policy year
None
Pre & Post-Hospitalization Expenses
60 to 180 days
90 to 180 days
Bonus
Secure Benefit doubles your base cover from day 1, while Infinity Benefit adds 100% of the base sum insured every year with no cap, regardless of claim history
Super Credit increases your sum insured by 100% of the base cover every year, irrespective of claims, up to 500% of the base sum insured, subject to an overall cap of ₹3 crore
Available Riders
Optima Wellbeing, ABCD chronic Care, Parenthood, Limitless, and more
Chronic Care, Reduction in PED, and more
Note: In the above table, PED stands for pre-existing diseases.
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HDFC ERGO vs Aditya Birla: Performance Metrics
Metrics (Average FY 2022-25)
HDFC ERGO
Aditya Birla
Industry Average
Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR)
96.71%
95.81%
91.22%
Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR)
81.62%
68.16%
81.88%
Complaints Received (per 10,000 Claims)
9.28
18.67
27.06
Gross Written Premium (GWP) / Annual Business - Total Health (in Crore)
₹6,118
₹3,290
₹3,969
Note: All figures in this table are sourced from IRDAI annual reports and insurers' public disclosures. Complaint data reflects HDFC ERGO's overall general insurance business, including health, motor, and other insurance segments, and is not limited to health insurance alone.
Key Insights
Claim Settlement Strength: HDFC ERGO holds a slight edge over Aditya Birla, and both comfortably outperform the industry average. This suggests a greater likelihood that claims will be approved and settled successfully. Additionally, both insurers use in-house claim settlement teams for retail claims.
Customer Service Experience: While both insurers perform better than the industry average, HDFC ERGO's lower complaint volume points to a smoother claims and servicing experience. This can be attributed to the fact that Aditya Birla is a standalone health insurer (primarily dealing in health, travel, and personal accident products), whereas HDFC ERGO’s complaints span multiple products.
Financial Balance and Sustainability: HDFC ERGO's ICR is broadly in line with the industry average, indicating a mature claims-paying operation. Aditya Birla's lower ICR of 68.16% reflects a slightly more conservative claims payout profile while remaining within the healthy recommended range of 55% to 85%.
Market Presence and Scale: HDFC ERGO's health insurance business is nearly twice the size of Aditya Birla's. Additionally, HDFC ERGO has over 13,000 network hospitals, while Aditya Birla has over 12,000.
HDFC ERGO ranks fourth among the top health insurers in India by CSR, while Aditya Birla ranks seventh. Check the infographic below to see which other insurers make it to the list.
To explore health insurer metrics in greater detail, including claims performance, complaint ratios, solvency, and market share, refer to Ditto Data Lab.
Premium Comparison: Optima Secure+ vs Activ One MAX
Profiles
Optima Secure+
Activ One MAX
(Individual Plan): Age 25
₹13,459
₹10,149
(Family Floater, 2A): Ages (31, 32)
₹21,128
₹16,299
(Family Floater, 2A 1C): Ages (35, 34, 5)
₹26,017
₹21,478
(Family Floater, 2A 2C): Ages (45, 43, 12, and 8)
₹36,666
₹33,048
Note: A denotes Adult and C denotes Child. Premiums are indicative annual estimates for a ₹15 lakh sum insured in Delhi (110010). Actual premiums may vary based on age, health condition, underwriting outcome, family composition, and city of residence.
Activ One MAX is comparatively cheaper than Optima Secure+, but the latter justifies its higher premiums with strong in-built features and a seamless customer experience.
Optima Secure+ is currently not available for 60+ senior citizens. If you want a plan from HDFC ERGO, please explore Optima Secure.
Wellness Benefits: HealthReturns vs Infinite Cover Accumulation
HealthReturns: Rewards policyholders for maintaining healthy habits and achieving wellness goals. Earned HealthReturns are credited to a digital wallet within the Activ Health App and can be used for future premiums and eligible health-related services, subject to policy terms. If you earn 13 Active Dayz in a month, you receive up to 30% of your premium back, and if you hit 325 Active Dayz in a year, you can get up to 100% of your premium.
Infinity Benefit: Your sum insured increases by 100% of the base cover every policy year, regardless of whether you have made claims, with no upper limit on accumulation, helping your coverage keep pace with long-term medical inflation.
Instead of wellness-linked rewards, Optima Secure Plus focuses on expanding protection. The Infinity Benefit creates a steadily growing health cover designed to combat long-term medical inflation. On the other hand, HealthReturns is particularly attractive for health-conscious individuals who actively engage with the insurer's wellness ecosystem.
Waiting Periods and Restoration Benefits Compared
01
HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus
Offers up to 100% restoration of the base sum insured, available unlimited times in a policy year for related or unrelated illnesses, after partial or complete exhaustion.
02
Aditya Birla Activ One MAX
Offers up to 100% restoration of the base sum insured, available an unlimited number of times for any illness, even after partial or complete exhaustion.
Note: Both Optima Secure+ and Activ One MAX have a 30-day initial waiting period, except for accidental hospitalizations, which are covered from day 1. Specified illnesses like Sinusitis are covered after 2 years, while pre-existing diseases are covered after 3 continuous policy years.
Which Should You Buy: Optima Secure+ or Aditya Birla Activ One MAX?
Choose HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ if You:
Prioritize stronger protection from day 1 with 2X coverage available immediately.
Prefer unlimited cover growth under the Infinity Benefit, with no accumulation cap.
Value a smoother claims experience, broader hospital access, and stronger claims metrics.
Focus on building a long-term shield against medical inflation through automatic cover expansion.
Choose Aditya Birla Activ One MAX if You:
Embrace a wellness-focused lifestyle and want to earn HealthReturns through healthy habits.
Need longer pre-hospitalization coverage and stronger preventive-care engagement.
Enjoy tracking fitness goals, health assessments, and app-based wellness rewards.
Require flexibility to explore chronic-condition benefits and wellness features, subject to underwriting terms.
Why Choose Ditto for Health Insurance?
At Ditto, we’ve assisted over 8,00,000 customers with choosing the right insurance policy. Why customers like Pallavi below love us:
No-Spam & No Salesmen
Rated 4.9/5 on Google Reviews by 24,000+ happy customers
Backed by Zerodha
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100% Free Consultation
Confused about the right insurance? Speak to Ditto’s certified advisors for free, unbiased guidance. Book your call or chat on WhatsApp with us now!
Conclusion
Both plans are among the strongest health insurance options available today, but they cater to different priorities.
HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ stands out for its superior bonus structure, stronger insurer track record, larger scale, and smoother claims experience. Aditya Birla Activ One MAX shines with its wellness rewards ecosystem, PED waiting-period reduction options, lower premiums, and more innovative product design.
If reliability and long-term protection are your top priorities, HDFC ERGO has the edge. If you value engagement, flexibility, and wellness-driven benefits, Aditya Birla makes a compelling case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sum insured range for Optima Secure Plus and Activ One MAX?
HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ offers sum insured options ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore. Aditya Birla Activ One MAX starts at ₹5 lakh and also extends up to ₹2 crore. The lower entry point gives Activ One MAX greater flexibility for buyers seeking modest initial coverage, while Optima Secure Plus is positioned as a premium plan with a higher minimum cover. At Ditto, we recommend selecting a minimum coverage of ₹15 lakh based on healthcare costs in your city, family size, income level, and long-term medical inflation rather than simply choosing the lowest available sum insured.
Which plan has a better claim settlement ratio, HDFC ERGO or Aditya Birla?
Based on average FY 2022–25 IRDAI data, HDFC ERGO reports a Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) of 96.71%, compared to Aditya Birla's 95.81%. Both comfortably exceed the industry average of 91.22%, indicating strong claims-paying ability. While the difference is not dramatic, HDFC ERGO's slightly higher ratio complements its stronger complaint metrics and larger market presence. At Ditto, we view both insurers as reliable from a claims-settlement standpoint, but HDFC ERGO holds a modest edge when the broader claims experience is considered alongside settlement ratios.
How do the bonus benefits differ between Optima Secure Plus and Activ One MAX?
HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ combines a day 1 Secure Benefit, which effectively doubles coverage immediately, with the Infinity Benefit that adds 100% of the base sum insured every year without any accumulation cap. Aditya Birla Activ One MAX offers Super Credit, which also adds 100% of the base cover annually, regardless of claims, but caps growth at 500% of the base sum insured, subject to an overall ₹3 crore limit. At Ditto, we consider HDFC ERGO's uncapped accumulation structure more powerful for buyers seeking long-term protection against medical inflation. However, higher long-term benefits may sometimes come with slightly steeper renewal premium increases over time.
How do premiums compare for HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ or Aditya Birla Activ One MAX?
Aditya Birla Activ One MAX is generally more affordable across age groups. For example, a 25-year-old individual may pay around ₹10,149 annually versus ₹13,459 for Optima Secure+, while a family floater covering two adults aged 31 and 32 may pay about ₹16,299 compared to ₹21,128. However, Optima Secure+ justifies its higher premium through features like 2X cover from Day 1, uncapped Infinity Benefit, stronger claims metrics, and a smoother claims experience. Buyers above 60 should note that Optima Secure+ is currently unavailable, making Activ One MAX or HDFC ERGO Optima Secure potential alternatives.
Can I get premium discounts on HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ and Aditya Birla Activ One MAX?
Yes, both plans offer discounts for choosing longer policy terms, though the structures differ slightly. Aditya Birla Activ One MAX provides a 7.5% discount when you pay for a 2-year policy term upfront and a 10% discount for a 3-year policy term. HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ offers a 6% discount on 2-year policies and an 8% discount on 3, 4, or 5-year policy terms. In addition, buyers whose eldest insured member is 35 years or younger at entry can receive a lifetime 5% discount on HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ fresh policies, which continues at renewal.
Is HDFC ERGO a general insurer or a standalone health insurer?
HDFC ERGO is a general insurance company offering health, motor, travel, and other insurance products. Aditya Birla Health Insurance, by contrast, operates as a standalone health insurance company focused primarily on health insurance. This distinction matters when interpreting complaint statistics because HDFC ERGO's complaint data reflects its entire general insurance portfolio rather than health insurance alone. At Ditto, we account for this difference when comparing customer-service metrics, ensuring that broader portfolio structures do not distort the overall assessment of health insurance performance.
What is the Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR) for HDFC ERGO and Aditya Birla?
Based on FY 2022–25 averages, HDFC ERGO reports an incurred claim ratio or ICR of 81.62%, closely aligned with the industry average of 81.88%. Aditya Birla's ICR stands at 68.16%, comfortably within the generally accepted healthy range of 55% to 85%. An ICR near industry levels often indicates a mature claims-paying operation, while a lower ratio may reflect a more conservative claims profile. At Ditto, we view both insurers as financially stable from an ICR perspective, though HDFC ERGO's numbers align more closely with broader industry claims trends.
Which plan offers better pre- and post-hospitalization coverage?
Aditya Birla Activ One MAX provides 90 days of pre-hospitalization coverage, compared with 60 days under HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus. Both plans offer 180 days of post-hospitalization expenses. The longer pre-hospitalization window can be beneficial when substantial diagnostic tests, consultations, and treatment planning occur before admission. At Ditto, we view this as one of Activ One MAX's strongest features, especially for individuals managing conditions that require extended medical investigation before a formal hospitalization takes place.
How does HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ ABCD Chronic Care add-on differ from Aditya Birla Activ One MAX's Chronic Care add-on?
Both add-ons are designed for people with pre-existing chronic conditions, but they work differently. ABCD Chronic Care covers Asthma, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Type 2 Diabetes (oral medication) after a 30-day waiting period and waives loading charges for selected conditions. You can choose up to three eligible conditions. Chronic Care, on the other hand, provides day 1 hospitalization coverage for a broader list of conditions, including Obesity and certain Coronary Artery Disease cases, subject to underwriting. ABCD focuses on faster access and waived loadings, while Chronic Care focuses on wider condition coverage.
Do HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ and Aditya Birla Activ One Max cover non-medical consumables?
Yes, both HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ and Aditya Birla Activ One Max cover non-medical consumable expenses as in-built features. This means expenses such as gloves, masks, syringes, PPE kits, oxygen masks, and other medically required equipment. They are commonly used during medical procedures but are often excluded from standard health insurance coverage unless you have a consumables add-on. Since consumables can significantly increase hospitalization bills, especially during major surgeries or critical illnesses, this feature helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses and improves overall claim value.
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