Health Insurance Portability: How to Switch Your Plan Without Losing Benefits

“Insurance, Made Simple — With PolicyBird“

If your health insurance is no longer serving you well, you don’t have to stick with it. Portability gives you the option to explore different insurers while retaining certain benefits from your existing policy, as per IRDAI guidelines.

What is Health Insurance Portability?

Health insurance portability is an option that allows you to apply to switch your existing policy from one insurer to another, as per IRDAI regulations. In certain cases, benefits such as completed waiting periods, No Claim Bonus (NCB), and continuity of coverage may be considered by the new insurer in line with applicable guidelines.

Whether you hold an individual or a family floater plan, you may request portability to a new insurer that offers features or pricing you find more suitable. The transfer of benefits is subject to the new insurer’s underwriting process and policy terms.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has outlined portability provisions with the intent to give policyholders the opportunity to explore other insurer options, while following the prescribed process.

Step-by-Why Would You Want to Port Your Health Policy?

Let’s explore real reasons why many families across Gujarat choose to port their health insurance — and how doing so can empower your financial and health decisions.

1. ❌ Poor Claim Support or Customer Service

Health insurance is ultimately about peace of mind during emergencies. But if your insurer takes days to approve claims, rejects them without clarity, or gives you the runaround during hospitalisation — that peace is lost.

👉 PolicyBird Insight: Some clients have chosen to explore other insurers after facing challenges during the claim process with their previous policies. Each insurer may have different service processes, and understanding these differences can help policyholders select an option that aligns with their expectations.

2. 📉 Limited or Outdated Coverage

Your current policy may not cover:

Maternity expenses
Mental health treatment
Daycare procedures
OPD consultations
New-age illnesses (e.g., COVID-19, lifestyle disorders)

If the world of healthcare is evolving, your insurance should too.

👉 Example: A young couple expecting their first child found their existing plan didn’t offer maternity or newborn coverage. Porting helped them switch to a plan that did — without restarting waiting periods.

3. 🧾 No Option to Increase Sum Insured or Add Covers

Over time, your health needs grow. You may want to:

Increase your cover from ₹5L to ₹15L+
Add specific riders (e.g., critical illness, accidental cover)
Include new family members like spouse or aging parents

But if your insurer refuses or delays such upgrades, Porting allows you to apply for a policy with features that may offer greater flexibility, subject to the new insurer’s terms.

4. 💸 Premiums Keep Rising, But Benefits Don’t

If you’re paying more every year but your coverage or services aren’t improving, it’s time to compare better plans. Some policies in the market may offer different features or pricing structures, and portability allows you to explore such options.

👉 PolicyBird Tip: Always check how your premium compares with similar plans in the market — we help clients do this during every review.

5. ⚠️ Too Many Sub-Limits or Hidden Clauses

Sub-limits restrict your coverage like:

₹2,000 room rent caps
Disease-specific caps (e.g., ₹50,000 for cataract surgery)
Low ICU or surgery limits

Such conditions reduce the value of your policy. If your policy has too many such restrictions, portability may be an option worth considering.

6. 🏥 Hospital Network Doesn’t Match Your Needs

If your insurer has a limited cashless hospital list, or doesn’t cover reputed hospitals in your city, it becomes a problem during emergencies.

👉 With portability: You can shift to an insurer whose network includes major hospitals in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, and beyond — which may help in facilitating hospitalisation and possible cashless treatment, subject to insurer approval.

7. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Life Changes — But Policy Doesn’t

Maybe you’ve gotten married, had a baby, moved to a new city, or taken on more health responsibilities. Your policy should reflect these changes.

Porting allows you to:

Move to family floater plans
Add new dependents
Choose policies that suit your stage of life

What Rights Do You Have While Porting?

As per the guidelines published by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), certain provisions are available for policyholders opting for portability. Key points include:

✅ Option to Choose Any IRDAI-Registered Insurer — Porting can be requested to or from any general or health-specific insurer registered with IRDAI.
✅ Applicable to Individual & Family Policies — Portability can be requested for both types of health insurance policies.
✅ Consideration of Waiting Periods — Waiting periods already served under the existing policy may be considered by the new insurer, subject to their underwriting and policy terms.
✅ Coverage Amount — The new insurer may offer coverage at least equivalent to the current sum insured, with the option to request a higher sum insured if available.
✅ Processing Timeline — As per IRDAI norms, insurers are expected to process portability requests within defined timelines after receiving complete documentation.

How to Port Your Health Insurance Step-by-Step

Switching insurers may feel intimidating, but it’s actually quite structured. Here’s how it works:

🗓 Step 1 : Start 45 Days Before Renewal
Inform your current insurer in writing about your intention to port. Mention the new insurer (PolicyBird will help you choose).

📞 Step 2: Talk to a Trusted Advisor
At PolicyBird, we guide you through comparison, selection, and paperwork — without sales pressure.

📄 Step 3: Submit Documents
You’ll need:

ID and Address Proof
Copy of existing policy
Medical history / past claims (if any)
IRDAI Portability Form
New insurer’s proposal form

🧾 Step 4: Application Review
The new insurer will assess your:

Claims history
Medical conditions
Overall risk profile

They may ask for tests if needed.

⏳ Step 5: Get Final Decision in 15 Days
Once approved, your new policy starts immediately after your old one ends — no gap in coverage.

👉 Need assistance? WhatsApp PolicyBird Now

Porting from a Group Health Plan to Individual Policy

If you’re covered under your company’s group health policy but plan to leave your job — consider porting to an individual plan.

Why?

Group plans end when you leave the company

Coverage is basic and not personalized

You may lose protection in job gaps

Porting from group to individual ensures continuity, better coverage, and control over your health plan.

✅ Start the process before your last working day

✅ Choose a plan that matches your life stage (solo, couple, or family)

✅ Carry forward your existing benefits

✅ Submit required documents and take medical tests if asked

✅ Finalize the switch — no coverage gap

Pros of Health Insurance Portability

✅ Continued benefits like NCB and waiting period credits

✅ Better service and claims experience

✅ More relevant, flexible, and affordable plans

✅ Suitable coverage as your needs evolve

✅ Empowered decision-making — you're in control

Limitations to Be Aware Of

✅ The new insurer may apply underwriting rules based on your health, age, and claim history

✅ Fresh waiting periods may apply to new riders or additional benefits you add

✅ If you delay the process or miss submitting required documents, your portability request can be rejected

✅ Premiums may change depending on your overall risk profile

When Can Porting Be Denied?

Late application (less than 45 days before renewal)
Gaps in policy renewal (beyond grace period)
Incomplete or misleading information
Too many recent claims
Advanced age (depending on plan)
Severe health conditions not covered by new policy
Missing medical documents or proposal form

Don’t worry — we conduct a pre-check to identify possible issues before submitting the portability request

Let’s Simplify Your Health Insurance Switch

Whether you're unhappy with your current policy or simply want to explore better options, you deserve coverage that grows with you.

At PolicyBird, we offer:

Honest advice
Custom plan suggestions
Claim support when you need it most
Ongoing help beyond purchase

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There is no extra fee charged specifically for porting your policy. However, your premium may change depending on:

The sum insured you choose
Your age and medical history
The insurer’s underwriting policies

For example, if you opt for a higher coverage or additional riders during porting, the premium will naturally increase. But the porting process itself is free of cost.

Most insurers do accept portability requests, but they are allowed to evaluate your proposal before accepting. They may review:

Your age and health conditions
Past claims (if any)
Documents submitted

If everything is in order and the risk profile is acceptable, the insurer will approve the portability. If there are red flags (like high claim frequency or missing paperwork), it may be declined — which is why having an advisor like PolicyBird makes the process smoother.

If your existing policy lapses before the new one is approved, your portability request can be rejected. That’s why IRDAI allows a 30-day grace period — but it’s best not to depend on it.

✅ To avoid this, always:

✅ Start the porting process at least 45 days before renewal
✅ Ensure your current policy remains active until the new one begins

PolicyBird ensures you don’t miss these timelines and stays in touch throughout the process.

Need personalized assistance?

📞 Call Us | 💬 WhatsApp Now | ✅ Get a Free Quote

The Power of Portability

PolicyBird Insight

Switching your health insurance isn’t just about changing plans — it’s about reclaiming control. Portability empowers you to demand better care, transparent service, and coverage that fits your life. Because your health deserves more than compromise.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only. Health insurance portability is subject to the respective insurer’s underwriting, policy terms, and IRDAI regulations. Please verify all details with your insurer or a licensed insurance advisor before making any decision.

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