Individual Health Insurance

Choosing the right health insurance today is not just about the price you pay, it's also about the control and long-term protection it gives you. Individual health insurance gives you dedicated coverage that is not impacted by anyone else’s claims, making it a strong alternative to shared plans. 

In this guide, we break down individual health insurance plans and compare them with multi-individual and family floater options. We also explain how to convert corporate health insurance into individual coverage and help you decide which structure suits your life stage and health needs best.

Why Choose Individual Health Insurance?

1. Dedicated Coverage With No Sharing:

Individual health insurance gives one person exclusive access to the entire sum insured. This makes an individual health insurance policy easier to predict and manage over time.

2. Better for Pre-Existing Diseases and Seniors:

Individual health insurance plans are ideal for people with pre-existing diseases or senior citizens who face higher claim chances. Each person gets coverage priced to their own risk which makes individual health insurance more practical than shared covers for long-term needs.

3. Easier Transition from Corporate Health Cover:

When you leave a job, your company’s health cover ends, leaving a gap in protection. Switching to an individual policy lets you continue coverage and carry over waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.

4. Protection from premium Shocks Within the Family:

In family floater plans, premiums are calculated based on the eldest member’s age, not individual risk. This means one senior member or a large claim can increase premiums for the entire family. Individual health insurance isolates this risk. Your premium is linked only to your own age and health, which makes an individual health insurance policy more stable and predictable over time.

5. Clear Advantage over Multi-Individual Plans:

Multi-individual plans give separate sums insured but link premiums and renewals. Individual plans keep claims, bonuses, and underwriting fully independent. Some features in multi-individual plans apply per person (like waiting periods), others per policy (like add-ons), so check the wording carefully. This makes individual plans ideal for families with uneven health risks.

How to Convert Corporate Health Insurance to Individual Policy?

Moving from a corporate/group health plan to an individual policy in India involves a simple two-step process under IRDAI guidelines:

• Step 1: Migrate within the same insurer
  • Done when leaving the organization, if the group policy changes, or if it’s withdrawn.
  • Continuity benefits apply; waiting period credits and cumulative bonus are carried forward.
  • Migration is subject to underwriting; insurers may assess health, ask for tests, adjust premiums, or apply exclusions.
    
    Note: IRDAI requires insurers to communicate their underwriting decision within 15 days. Also make sure there is no break in coverage. Your individual policy should start immediately after the corporate plan ends to retain waiting period benefits.
• Optional Step 2: Port to another insurer
  • Once you are on an individual indemnity policy, you may choose to port to another insurer. Portability is typically initiated 60–30 days before renewal (and sometimes within 15 days after), with regulated timelines for data sharing and insurer decisions.

Important Practical Notes

• Direct porting from a group policy to another insurer is usually not allowed—you must migrate first.
• Credits are generally limited to your earlier sum insured; higher coverage often comes with fresh waiting periods.
• Corporate premiums are subsidized—individual policy premiums will reflect your age and health profile.

Note: The annual premiums shown above are indicative and calculated for individuals opting for a ₹15 lakh sum insured under individual health insurance plans in New Delhi, with no pre-existing diseases. Premiums may vary based on city of residence, medical history, insurer underwriting, and selected riders or add-ons.

Why Approach 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 15,000+ 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 WhatsApp us slots fill up fast!

Who Should Buy Individual Health Insurance & How Much Cover to Choose

Individual health insurance is best suited for people who want full control over their coverage. It is better for individuals with pre-existing conditions, senior citizens, or families where members have very different health needs and risk profiles. Separate individual policies offer maximum independence, ensuring one person’s claims or age do not affect others’ premiums or benefits. 

As for coverage, a sum insured of ₹15–25 lakh is a practical starting point in metro cities. Higher coverage is recommended for those with medical conditions, high hospitalization costs, or long-term planning needs, to stay protected against rising healthcare inflation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. Some insurers featured are partner insurers of Ditto. The information presented is based on insurers’ websites, policy wordings, official disclosures, IRDAI-published data, and Ditto’s claims-handling experience across thousands of customers. You can read more about how we evaluate insurers on Ditto’s Cut.