Overview

When comparing HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus vs ICICI Lombard Elevate, both stand out as top-tier comprehensive health insurance plans, but they cater to different needs. Optima Secure Plus excels in robust base coverage, reliable claim settlement, and a unique Secure Benefit that doubles your cover from day 1. ICICI Lombard Elevate, on the other hand, is suitable for younger or healthier individuals, those seeking global coverage, or buyers who want optional add-ons like maternity.

If you value claim confidence and a structured, set-and-forget plan, Optima Secure Plus is likely the better fit. If feature flexibility and customization matter more, ICICI Lombard Elevate becomes a strong contender. 

This guide is ideal for those who are unsure whether to opt for ICICI Lombard Elevate or Optima Secure Plus.

Picking a health insurance plan gets harder when both options on your shortlist are genuinely good. That's the problem with comparing Optima Secure Plus and Elevate.

But before looking into the plan's features, we should understand the insurer behind them. Both HDFC ERGO and ICICI Lombard are well-established general insurers. HDFC ERGO, founded in 2002, runs 200+ branches across 170+ cities and manages a 13,000+ cashless hospital network after its merger with Apollo Munich. ICICI Lombard, founded in 2001 as a joint venture between ICICI Bank and Fairfax Financial Holdings, is one of India's leading private-sector non-life insurers with a solid operational track record.

This article compares Optima Secure Plus and Elevate in terms of coverage, performance metrics, premiums, and suitability.

Confused between HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus and ICICI Lombard Elevate plan? Book a free call or WhatsApp us. 

Coverage Compared: Optima Secure Plus vs ICICI Lombard Elevate

FeaturesHDFC ERGO Optima Secure PlusICICI Lombard Elevate
Sum Insured (SI)₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore₹5 lakh to ₹3 crore and unlimited cover
Minimum Entry Age 18 years for adults and 91 days for children18 years for adults and 91 days for children
Maximum Entry Age 60 years for adults and 25 years for children125 years for adults and 30 years for children
Exit Age Lifelong renewability for adults and 26 years for children in a family floater (children are offered a separate individual plan on exit)Lifelong renewability for adults and 31 years for children in a family floater (children are offered a separate individual plan on exit)
Policy Tenure 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 years1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 years
Copayment NoneNone
Room Rent LimitsNoneSingle private AC room (can be upgraded to any room through add-on)
Disease-Wise Sub-LimitsNot applicableNot applicable
BonusInfinite benefit, where your base SI increases by 100% every year with no maximum limit on accumulation, given irrespective of claims20% yearly bonus up to 100% of SI, irrespective of claims (not applicable for unlimited SI), Power Booster add-on offers 100% yearly bonus irrespective of claims
Restoration100% restoration unlimited times in a policy year for any illness, whether your cover is partially or fully exhausted100% restoration unlimited times in a policy year for any illness, whether your cover is partially or fully exhausted (not applicable for unlimited SI)
Pre- and Post- Hospitalization Expenses 60 and 180 days, respectively 90 and 180 days, respectively
Consumables Covered up to SI (Inbuilt)Can be covered with the Claim Protector rider

HDFC ERGO vs ICICI Lombard: Performance Metrics

Metrics (Average FY 2022-25)HDFC ERGOICICI LombardIndustry Average
Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR)96.71%84.50%91.22%
Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR) 81.62%79.47%81.88%
Complaints Received (per 10,000 Claims)9.2810.6727.06
Gross Written Premium (GWP) / Annual Business - Total Health (in Crore) ₹6,118₹6,794₹3,969

Source: IRDAI annual reports, HDFC ERGO, and ICICI Lombard public disclosures

Key Insights

    • HDFC ERGO's CSR outperforms ICICI Lombard and the industry average. This indicates HDFC Ergo is more consistent and reliable in claim settlement, while ICICI Lombard may have a comparatively higher likelihood of claim rejections or stricter processing.
    • Both insurers fall within or close to the healthy ICR range of 50-80%. This indicates a balanced claims experience for both without compromising financial stability. 
    • HDFC ERGO and ICICI Lombard report far fewer complaints than the industry average. This indicates a smoother service experience with both insurers.
    • Both insurance companies are well above the industry average in annual business volume. This reflects scale, market trust, and operational efficiency.

Premium Comparison: Optima Secure Plus vs ICICI Lombard Elevate

ProfilesOptima Secure PlusICICI Lombard Elevate
(Individual Plan): Age 25₹13,459₹11,434
(Family Floater, 2A): Ages (31, 32)₹21,128₹17,156
(Family Floater, 2A 1C): Ages (35, 34, 5)₹26,017₹22,258
(Family Floater, Senior Citizens): Ages (60, 59)₹72,648₹47,681

Note: A refers to adult and C refers to child. Premiums shown are annual estimates for a ₹15 lakh cover in Delhi (110010). Actual premiums may vary based on age, health profile, underwriting, discounts, and city of residence. Premiums for Elevate include add-ons for annual health checkups, non-payable items, air ambulance coverage, and a room modifier for any room category.

Unique Features: What Each Plan Does Differently

Both share a solid common foundation, but their standout features pull in different directions.

HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus

    • 2x Cover From Day One (Secure Benefit): From the moment your policy starts, your effective cover is double the sum insured you bought. Buy a ₹15 lakh policy, and you're covered for ₹30 lakh immediately. 
    • Wide Hospital Network: With 13,000+ cashless hospitals, HDFC ERGO has one of the widest networks in the country. This ensures easy access to hospitals nationwide for quality healthcare. 
    • Consumables Cover: Non-payable items, including gloves, syringes, PPE kits, and similar hospital consumables, are covered by default. This is a real difference at claim time. Most plans either exclude these entirely or require you to pay for a rider.
    • Annual Health Checkup: It is available after the first renewal, on a reimbursement basis. No riders needed. The cost is capped based on the SI opted and policy structure (floater/individual). 

ICICI Lombard Elevate Health Insurance

    • Unlimited Sum Insured: If you want coverage with no upper cap, Elevate is a solid option. This suits buyers in metros with high medical costs or those with a history of large and frequent hospitalizations.
    • Modular Design: Elevate lets you build the plan around your specific health profile. Outpatient Department (OPD) cover, maternity, worldwide treatment, Pre-Existing Disease (PED) waiting-period reduction, and critical-illness boosters are all available as riders. Very few mainstream plans offer this level of add-on flexibility.
    • Bariatric Surgery Cover: Obesity surgery expenses are covered up to the SI, subject to a 2-year waiting period. This is rare on standard health plans and is a genuine differentiator for buyers who need it.
    • Surrogate Mother Cover: If you are using surrogacy, Elevate covers hospitalization expenses for the surrogate mother in case of pregnancy complications, up to ₹5 lakh. A 30-day waiting period applies, and you must have purchased a 3-year policy term.
    • Oocyte Donor Cover: For buyers undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or egg donation procedures, Elevate covers the oocyte donor's hospitalization for retrieval complications, up to ₹5 lakh. This benefit is valid for up to 12 months after a successful retrieval.

Waiting Periods and Add-Ons Compared 

Both Optima Secure Plus and ICICI Lombard Elevate come with a 30-day initial waiting period, except for accidents, which are covered from day one. Specific illnesses have a 2-year waiting period, while pre-existing diseases are usually covered after 3 continuous policy years.

Have a look at the infographic below to know the add-ons available under the Elevate Plan: 

ICICI Lombard Elevate Add-ons List

Here’s the list of add-ons available under the Optima Secure Plus Plan:

Serious Illness Booster

Extra 100% SI for 9 critical illnesses, cancer, heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), and more, once your base cover runs out.

ABCD Chronic Care

Cuts the waiting period for Asthma, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Type 2 Diabetes from 3 years to just 30 days. Lifelong add-on once opted.

Parenthood

Covers up to 2 deliveries, pre/post-natal care, embryo freezing, and 2 IVF cycles. Needs at least one female (18+) on the policy. Newborn coverage is not included.

Optima Wellbeing

Unlimited doctor visits, free home lab collection, wellness sessions, and up to 50% off on tests and 20% on medicines. Available in select cities only on a cashless basis.

Which Should You Buy: Optima Secure Plus or ICICI Lombard Elevate?

HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus stands out for its stronger claims track record and simple coverage structure. ICICI Lombard Elevate suits buyers who want maximum flexibility in features and are willing to carefully configure the plan with the right add-ons.

Choose HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus if You:

    • Want a clean base plan where strong coverage is inbuilt, not add-on dependent.
    • Prefer a plan where cover grows 2x immediately and increases predictably each year.
    • Are a conservative buyer who values insurer reliability and claim-process confidence over feature volume.
    • Are under 60 and looking for a long-term plan you can set up once and not revisit.

Choose ICICI Lombard Elevate if You:

    • Want maximum feature flexibility and are comfortable choosing from add-ons.
    • Are covering older parents (above 60), where Optima Secure Plus's entry age cap rules it out.
    • Understand the CSR trade-off and are okay with it, given the breadth of coverage Elevate can offer.

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:

HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus vs ICICI Lombard Elevate
    • No-Spam & No Salesmen
    • Rated 4.9/5 on Google Reviews by 24,000+ happy customers
    • Backed by Zerodha
    • Dedicated Claim Support Team
    • 100% Free Consultation

Confused about the right insurance? Speak to Ditto’s certified advisors for free, unbiased guidance. Book your call now or chat with our advisors on WhatsApp.

Conclusion

When it comes to HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus vs ICICI Lombard Elevate, both are genuinely strong plans. Optima Secure Plus brings 2x cover from day one, an uncapped annual bonus, inbuilt consumables cover, and one of the best CSRs in the industry. Elevate brings unmatched flexibility, around 30 add-ons, unlimited SI, and features like worldwide cover that Optima Secure Plus simply does not offer.

For most buyers, Optima Secure Plus is the safer, smarter choice. The claim confidence that comes with HDFC ERGO's track record is hard to overlook. Elevate works well for buyers with specific coverage needs, but only if it's configured correctly with the right riders.

Ditto's Take: Consider HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus as your first choice. If you are over 60 and need coverage, Optima Secure is a good option. If pricing is a concern, better options such as Care Supreme and Aditya Birla Activ One Max are available and have strong insurer metrics. For a broader comparison, refer to our guide on the best health insurance plans in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which plan is better for claim settlement, HDFC ERGO or ICICI Lombard Health Insurance?

HDFC ERGO Health Insurance has a significantly stronger claim settlement record than ICICI Lombard Elevate. Its average Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) over FY 2022-25 was 96.71%, compared to ICICI Lombard's 84.50%, which is also below the industry average of 91.22%. A higher CSR means fewer rejections and a smoother claims process overall. At Ditto, we recommend Optima Secure Plus as the safer choice for claim confidence. ICICI Lombard's comparatively lower CSR suggests a higher likelihood of claim rejections or stricter processing, which is a meaningful trade-off to consider before buying.

Does HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus give 2x cover from day one?

Yes. One of HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus's most distinctive features is the Secure Benefit, which doubles your effective cover from the very first day of the policy. If you purchase a ₹15 lakh plan, you are covered for ₹30 lakh immediately, with no additional waiting period for this benefit. This means you get significantly higher protection right at the start, which is especially valuable if you face an unexpected hospitalization early in the policy year. No additional premium or add-on is required to access this feature, as it comes built into the base plan.

What is the difference between ICICI Lombard Elevate and HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus in terms of room rent limits?

HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus has no room rent limits whatsoever, meaning you can be admitted to any room type, including suites and ICUs, without facing proportionate deductions on your overall claim. ICICI Lombard Elevate, in its base form, restricts you to a single private AC room. If you want the flexibility to choose any room category, you need to add the Room Rent Modifier add-on. So while Optima Secure Plus includes this protection by default, Elevate buyers must pay more to access the same coverage, making Optima Secure Plus a better value for this specific benefit.

Does ICICI Lombard provide coverage for consumables like gloves and syringes?

ICICI Lombard Elevate does not cover consumables such as gloves, syringes, and PPE kits by default under its base plan. To get this benefit, you need to purchase the Claim Protector add-on separately, which adds to your overall premium. In contrast, HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus includes consumables coverage as an inbuilt feature at no extra cost. This is a meaningful difference at claim time because hospitals routinely bill consumables separately, and these charges can add up to a significant amount, especially during longer hospital stays or surgeries involving extensive medical supplies.

Can people above 60 buy HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus?

No. HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus has a maximum entry age of 60 years for adults, which is one of its key limitations. If you or your parents are above 60, you cannot enroll in this plan. ICICI Lombard Elevate allows entry up to age 125 with lifelong renewability, making it a practical option for older buyers. At Ditto, for those over 60 who cannot opt for Optima Secure Plus, we suggest exploring HDFC ERGO Optima Secure as an alternative, or comparing plans such as Care Supreme and Aditya Birla Activ One Max, which also offer strong insurer metrics.

Does ICICI Lombard Elevate cover maternity and surrogacy?

Yes, ICICI Lombard Elevate covers both maternity and surrogacy-related expenses, which is quite rare in standard health insurance plans. The Surrogate Mother Cover provides hospitalization coverage for the surrogate mother in case of pregnancy complications, up to ₹5 lakh, for a policy tenure of 3 years, with a 30-day waiting period. The Oocyte Donor Cover is available for IVF or egg donation procedures, covering the donor's hospitalization for retrieval-related complications up to ₹5 lakh, and is valid for 12 months after a successful retrieval. HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus offers the Parenthood add-on, which covers deliveries and IVF cycles.

What is the restoration benefit in HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus vs ICICI Lombard Elevate?

Both HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus and ICICI Lombard Elevate offer 100% restoration of the sum insured, unlimited times within a policy year, for any illness, regardless of whether your cover was partially or fully exhausted. This means that if you use up your entire sum insured in a single claim, it is fully replenished for future hospitalizations in the same year, covering your family for subsequent events at no additional cost. The key difference is that Elevate's unlimited restoration feature does not apply if you have opted for the unlimited sum insured variant. Optima Secure Plus has no such restriction, making its restoration benefit more straightforward and consistent.

Should I buy HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus or ICICI Lombard Elevate for a family where all adults are under 60?

For families where all adults are under 60 and who prioritize simplicity and claim reliability, HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plus is the stronger choice. It delivers 2x cover from day one, has no room rent restrictions, includes consumables coverage by default, covers annual health checkups from the first renewal, and carries an outstanding CSR of 96.71%. At Ditto, we actively recommend Optima Secure Plus for buyers in this category. ICICI Lombard Elevate makes more sense if your family specifically needs features like maternity cover, surrogacy benefits, worldwide hospitalization, or OPD coverage, and you are comfortable selecting and managing the right add-ons to build out those benefits.

Last updated on: