Overview
The Royal Sundaram Lifeline Elite plan is a premium health insurance policy offering extensive coverage with sum insured options ranging from ₹25 lakhs up to ₹1.5 crores. Designed for individuals and families, it provides comprehensive essential coverage, including worldwide emergency hospitalization (excluding USA and Canada by default) with a deductible of $1,000 per hospitalization, and critical illness treatment abroad. The plan features no room rent caps or sub-limits, automatic sum insured restoration, accelerated no-claim bonus, and access to over 10,000 cashless network hospitals.
Experts Review
Written by Nikhil Nair
Senior Writer
Royal Sundaram’s Lifeline Elite plan is a top-tier health insurance product that offers a massive coverage range (₹25 lakhs to ₹1.5 crores) with a rich set of benefits tailored for high-net-worth individuals and frequent international travelers.
Standout features include maternity coverage up to ₹2.5 lakh, new born baby cover up to ₹37.5 lakh, and vaccination for the new born, along with outpatient treatment and worldwide emergency hospitalization (excluding the USA and Canada).
The plan also covers international treatment for 11 specified critical illnesses, with reimbursement for return airfare up to ₹3 lakh—a significant advantage for those seeking treatment abroad.
Importantly, the policy imposes no room rent caps or disease-specific sub-limits, ensuring comprehensive claim support with no hidden restrictions.
Sum insured is automatically restored after exhaustion, and an accelerated 20% No Claim Bonus for every claim-free year can double the sum insured within five years (up to 100% of the base sum insured). For day-to-day practicality, an add-on covers otherwise excluded consumables such as syringes, gloves, and PPE kits.
Another add-on enhances the health experience with teleconsultation services, a virtual health coach, and a dedicated app to manage your health and wellness.
Pros
Feature set is satisfactory.
Insurer has a solid track record with great claim and service metrics.
Cons
Special Bonus for being healthy and not claiming insurance, which is a notable gap.
Royal Sundaram
Key Insights
Founded
2001
Royal Sundaram was established 24 years ago and has built strong credibility over time, backed by its long-standing presence in the market.
Claims Experience
93% claims settled in 30 Days
Royal Sundaram settles 93% of all claims it receives demonstrating strong credibility.
Network Hospitals
10,000+
Royal Sundaram maintains a moderate network of 10,000 hospitals, offering reasonable coverage across key locations.
Complaints
17 complaints per 10,000 claims registered
Royal Sundaram experiences a moderate number of complaints, indicating room for improvement in addressing customer concerns.
Features
All
Great
Good
Maternity
STANDOUT
The insurer will also cover expenses related to maternity— Think hospitalization expenses incurred while giving birth. But they’ll only pay upto ₹2,00,000 and make you wait 3 years before covering this expense. Also, you’ll only get the benefits if both, you and your spouse are enrolled in a single-family floater plan.
Co-payment
The insurer will bear the entire cost of treatment (up to the sum insured). You won’t have to pay a single penny. Meaning this policy has no co-payment.
Customisable
Choose a co-payment between 5% and 30% to reduce premiums.
Room Rent
Shared room, single room, deluxe room or any room that’s available. The insurer won’t nitpick on your choice of room since the policy has no restrictions on room rent.
Disease sub-limit
No funny business here. If your insurer hasn’t explicitly stated they won’t cover a certain illness, you can claim the full amount up to the sum insured, irrespective of the disease you’re dealing with. Meaning this policy doesn't impose the dreaded disease wise sub-limits.
Pre existing diseases waiting
If you’re already dealing with diabetes, cardiovascular problems or any such illnesses, the insurer will cover all costs arising out of these pre-existing problems after just 2 years. It’s probably the best deal you can get to be honest.
Add-ons
Consumables
Recommended
Covers list of 68 non-medical items as per list I
Hospital Cash
Hospital cash benefit paid out if hospitalization is at least 2 days, with a maximum payout of ₹1000 for up to 30 days.
Health & Wellness
Get tele-consultations with doctors whenever you require, a virtual health coach to help you boost your health and Health & Wellness app to manage yours health status.
Voluntary Co-Payment
Choose a co-payment between 5% and 30% to reduce premiums.
Elite Plus
Get additional benefits like App-based cabs for ambulance cover, restoration for same illness and In-patient hospitalisation cover for pre-existing disease in life-threatening condition once in policy lifetime along with coverage for bariatric surgery, mobility devices like wheelchairs, walkers, etc. and second opinion for additional 11 critical illnesses, international treatment for 3 additional critical illnesses and In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment upto defined limits.
Permanent Exclusions
Conditions or treatments that the policy clearly says it will not cover.
Hereditary conditions
STDs
Treatment for developmental problems
Ancillary Hospital Charges
Expenses related to any admission primarily for diagnostics and evaluation purposes are excluded.
Disclaimer: For illustration purposes only - exact terms are in the policy wording.
Specific Illness
The following illnesses are not covered under the policy for 2 years.
Cataract
Stones in biliary and urinary systems
Hernia / Hydrocele (all types)
Hysterectomy for any benign disorder
Lumps / Cysts / Nodules / Polyps / Internal tumours
Waiting Period
30 days Initial waiting period
2 years Specific illness waiting period
2 years Pre-existing disease waiting period
Ditto's Take
◦ Excellent ◦
After a close look at the waiting periods, we can say that the waiting periods on this policy are excellent. Especially the PED waiting period which is better than usual.
What's missing in the policy
Special Bonus for being healthy and not claiming insurance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lifeline Elite have waiting periods?
- 30-Day Waiting Period: Hospitalizations won’t be covered for the first 30 days of the policy unless it’s an accident.
- Specific Illness Waiting Period: There’s a 2-year waiting period for a list of diseases which is a mandate before you can start claiming.
- Pre-Existing Disease Waiting Period: There's a 2-year waiting period for any pre-existing disease you may have while buying the policy.
- Maternity and Newborn Waiting Period: There’s a 3-year waiting period before you can make claims related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Does Lifeline Elite have room rent restrictions?
Does Lifeline Elite offer a restoration benefit?
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