At Ditto, our advisors often get a common question: “Which health insurer truly stands out?” While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, today we shine the spotlight on two giants in the market: Star Health and ICICI Lombard. Both have been around for years and evolved significantly, but how do they compare today in terms of coverage, claim settlement, and overall customer value?
We’ve analyzed insurer public disclosure data, reviewed policy documents in detail, and assessed what each insurer brings to the table. In this guide, we’ll explore the strengths, weaknesses, and key metrics of Star Health and ICICI Lombard across their features, premiums, and overall performance.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have the insights you need to choose the insurer that best matches your health needs and peace of mind.
Not sure which plan suits you best? That’s where Ditto can help. Our advisors compare your options, break down the fine print, and guide you through claims — all for free. Book a free call to get honest, unbiased advice before you decide.
Star Health Insurance vs ICICI Lombard Health Insurance: Overview
About Star Health Insurance
Star Health is a specialist health insurance provider known for its dedicated focus on retail health insurance products. It was the first standalone health insurance company in India. Its entire business revolves around health, personal accident, and travel insurance.
- Founded: 2006
- Type: Standalone Health Insurance (SAHI) company.
- Key Development: Star Health has introduced a variety of health plans designed for different needs, whether you’re buying for yourself, your family, or senior citizens. Many of these plans come with higher sum insured options and focus on health-specific requirements.
The company also manages its retail claims directly, without using third-party administrators (TPAs). Having an in-house claims team gives the company better control over how claims are handled, though the speed and experience may differ from case to case. With its large hospital network, you can access cashless treatment more easily whenever you need medical care. - Popular Plans: Super Star, Assure and Star Comprehensive.
About ICICI Lombard Health Insurance
ICICI Lombard is a leading private sector general insurance company offering a diverse portfolio of insurance products, including motor, health, travel, home, and more. It is a joint venture between ICICI Bank Ltd. and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, a Canadian firm.
- Founded: 2001
- Type: General insurance company, offering health insurance as part of its broad product range.
- Key Development: ICICI Lombard offers a strong and comprehensive portfolio that includes indemnity plans, super top-up plans, and critical illness coverage. The company is placing a major focus on the retail insurance segment and aims to expand its presence among individual and family policyholders.
Backed by a major Indian bank and global financial group, ICICI Lombard brings strong financial stability and reliability. Its focus on technology-driven solutions like AI-powered solutions and a dedicated customer app aims to provide a quick, hassle-free, and digitally advanced customer experience from policy purchase to claim settlement. - Popular Plans: Elevate, Max Protect and AdvantEdge.
Star Health Insurance vs ICICI Lombard Health Insurance: Operational Metrics Comparison
As you can see in the above metrics table, Star Health Insurance and ICICI Lombard Health Insurance are closely matched in several operational areas. Star Health’s slightly larger hospital network gives customers wider access to cashless treatment which makes it easier to find quality healthcare without worrying about upfront payments.
When it comes to Annual Business Volume (AVG. GWP 2022–25), Star Health has a much higher figure as compared to ICICI Lombard on the Health Insurance segment though overall ICICI is a much bigger insurer. The higher volume shows that Star Health has a stronger presence in the retail health insurance market and a larger customer base.
Now, let’s break down the key metrics in more detail:
Star Health vs ICICI Lombard: Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR)
Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) represents the percentage of claims settled by the insurer against the total claims received. Both insurers show an average CSR of 85% (2022–25), suggesting a comparable and reliable record in claim settlement efficiency. Customers can expect consistent performance from both in terms of timely and fair claim settlements.
Star Health vs ICICI Lombard: Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR)
Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR) indicates the percentage of total claims paid against the total premiums collected. Star Health has an ICR of 73%, while ICICI Lombard’s ICR stands higher at 83%. A higher ICR can reflect a greater payout proportion to customers, but if it’s too high, it might also indicate thinner profit margins. Here, ICICI Lombard’s higher ICR suggests it pays out a larger share of premiums in claims that implies stronger claims responsiveness.
Star Health vs ICICI Lombard: Complaint Volume
Average Complaints (2022–25) reflect the number of complaints received relative to operations. Star Health reports 52 complaints, whereas ICICI Lombard has a much lower figure of 11. This suggests that ICICI Lombard performs better in terms of customer satisfaction, with fewer policyholder grievances and potentially better post-sales service quality.
Note: ICICI Lombard, being a general insurer, spreads its focus across motor, travel, and other insurance products, so it naturally generates lower complaints volume.
Star Health Insurance vs ICICI Lombard Health Insurance: Plan Comparison
Below, we take a closer look at the flagship plans from both insurers: ICICI Lombard Elevate and Star Health Super Star Plan, to see how they compare side by side.
Disclaimer: This comparison is based on the general features available in the latest version of the specified flagship plans. Always refer to the official policy wordings before purchasing.
Note: Star Health and ICICI Lombard offer several common benefits that includes coverage for pre- and post-hospitalization, day care and modern treatments, domiciliary/home care, AYUSH treatments, unlimited restoration benefits, and standard waiting periods.
Star Health Insurance vs ICICI Lombard Health Insurance: Premium Comparison
To give you a clear view of how costs vary between two major insurers, Star Health and ICICI Lombard, we've put together a premium comparison of their most recommended comprehensive plans: Star Health Super Star and ICICI Lombard Elevate, across various age groups.
Star Health Super Star Vs ICICI Elevate: Premium Comparison (₹15 Lakh Sum Insured, Delhi)
Note: Premiums listed are indicative annual costs for a policyholder with no declared pre-existing conditions (PEDs). Both plans offer good customizations, and add-ons can be selected based on specific needs. The add-ons mentioned here reflect common selections for illustration purposes.
Star Health Insurance vs ICICI Lombard Health Insurance: Which One Should You Opt For? (Ditto’s Take)
When comparing Star Health and ICICI Lombard, you need to look beyond the policy features and focus on reliability. Star Health has faced IRDAI scrutiny for lapses and has a significantly higher number of customer complaints. This suggests their claim experience can be difficult.
In contrast, ICICI Lombard has a much better reputation for timely claims and far fewer customer issues, making them the safer choice for peace of mind. While Star Health offers competitive product features, ICICI Lombard’s better track record in settling claims makes it a more reliable choice for policyholders who value trust and timely payouts.
Both Star Health and ICICI Lombard are partner insurers for Ditto, but we do not actively recommend their products at this time due to low claim settlement ratios (CSR). You can read more about it in the full article: Ditto’s Cut.
Why Choose Ditto For Health Insurance?
At Ditto, we’ve helped 7,00,000+ customers become smart insurance buyers by matching their unique needs to the right health insurance policy. That’s why customers like Pramey trust Ditto and recommend us to others.
✅ Honest advice – no sales pitches, no commission-driven recommendations
✅ 12,000+ 5-star reviews (Rated 4.9 on Google)
✅ Real claim experience – we've helped customers through actual claims
✅ Backed by Zerodha and other leading fintech companies
Conclusion
Both Star Health and ICICI Lombard offer strong health insurance options with wide hospital networks and good features. Star Health has a larger market presence, but its regulatory challenges, lower incurred claim ratio, and higher complaint volume raise concerns about consistent claims experience. ICICI Lombard excels in claim settlement efficiency and customer satisfaction which makes it a more reliable choice.
Not sure which plan suits you best? That’s where Ditto can help. Our advisors compare your options, break down the fine print, and guide you through claims — all for free. Book a free call to get honest, unbiased advice before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Based on operational metrics, which insurer is considered more reliable for claims, Star Health or ICICI Lombard?
ICICI Lombard is considered more reliable for claims, despite having a lower business volume in the health segment compared to Star Health. ICICI Lombard has a significantly lower average complaint volume (11 complaints vs. Star Health's 52) and a higher Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR) (83% vs. Star Health's 73%). This suggests better customer satisfaction and a higher proportion of premiums being paid out in claims.
Which company has the larger network of cashless hospitals?
Star Health Insurance has a significantly larger network. It has over 14,000+ cashless network hospitals across India, compared to ICICI Lombard's strong network of over 10,200+ hospitals. For policyholders prioritizing the widest availability of cashless treatment, Star Health holds the edge.
Why do you recommend ICICI Lombard over Star Health, even though both have a similar Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR)?
While both insurers have a similar average CSR (around 85%), Ditto's assessment focuses on long-term reliability and customer experience. ICICI Lombard's much lower complaint volume and better track record in timely claims makes it the safer, more trustworthy choice for peace of mind.
Last updated on: