In 2025, India’s health insurance landscape is undergoing significant transformations, particularly concerning agent commissions. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has implemented new guidelines, granting insurers more autonomy in determining commission structures within specified expense limits. This shift aims to enhance insurance penetration, foster innovation, and ensure fair compensation for agents. In this article, I am giving top 6 health insurance companies with the highest agent commissions in 2025.
Top 6 Health Insurance Companies Offering Competitive Agent Commissions in 2025:
Table of Contents
Here’s a detailed description of the Top 6 Health Insurance Companies in India in 2025, focusing on their reputation, services, innovations, and market presence:
1. Star Health Insurance:
Founded: 2006
Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Type: Standalone Health Insurance Company
Ownership: Publicly listed, backed by investors like Safecrop Investments and prominent shareholders.
Overview:
Star Health is India’s first and largest standalone health insurance provider. With a focused approach to health insurance, it has built a strong brand reputation for affordability, innovation, and service quality. It serves individuals, families, senior citizens, and those with chronic or critical illnesses.
Key Features:
- Over 14,000 network hospitals for cashless treatment.
- Specializes in policies for senior citizens, diabetes, cancer, and maternity.
- Seamless digital claim settlement process.
- Excellent support for individual agents and brokers.
Popular Insurance Plans:
The popular insurance plans are…
Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy:
- No room rent limits
- Maternity & newborn coverage
- Health check-up every year
Star Health Senior Citizens Red Carpet Plan:
- Designed for individuals aged 60+
- Covers pre-existing diseases from day 1 (conditions apply)
- No pre-policy medical tests
Star MediClassic Insurance Policy:
- Basic plan for individuals and families
- Cost-effective with lifelong renewability
Star Diabetes Safe Plan:
- Tailored for diabetic patients
- Coverage from day 1 for diabetes-related hospitalization
Star Health’s deep focus on medical insurance, innovative policy options, and strong agent networks have made it a market leader in the standalone health segment.
2. Niva Bupa Health Insurance:
Founded: 2008
Headquarters: New Delhi, India
Type: Standalone Health Insurance Company
Ownership: Joint venture between Fettle Tone LLP (an affiliate of True North) and Bupa (a global healthcare group based in the UK)
Overview:
Niva Bupa is one of India’s leading health insurance companies, known for its customer-first approach, digital innovation, and fast claim processing. It offers a wide range of plans that cater to individuals, families, senior citizens, and those looking for premium or global health coverage.
Key Features:
- Cashless claims in 10,000+ network hospitals.
- Fast claim approvals (some within 30 minutes).
- Critical illness and family floater policies.
- High sum insured options up to ₹3 crore.
Popular Plans from Niva Bupa:
The popular insurance plans are…
ReAssure 2.0 Plan:
- Unlimited reinstatement of the sum insured
- No room rent capping
- 30-minute cashless claims
- Global coverage for major illnesses (in higher variants)
- Loyalty Additions and Booster Benefits
Health Companion Plan
- Budget-friendly plan for individuals and families
- Covers hospitalization, diagnostics, and day-care treatments
- Optional top-up for higher protection
Senior First Plan
- Designed for people aged 60+
- Lower waiting period for pre-existing conditions (2 years)
- High sum insured options with affordable premiums
GoActive Plan
- Wellness-focused plan for younger, urban customers
- Covers diagnostics, OPD, fitness tracking
- Discounts for healthy behavior
Health Recharge (Top-Up Plan)
- Affordable top-up for people with existing basic policies
- High deductible options with large sum insured
- Best for increasing coverage at low cost
With international expertise and a strong digital infrastructure, Niva Bupa is a favorite among tech-savvy customers and health insurance agents.
3. HDFC ERGO Health Insurance:
Founded: 2002
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Parent Company: Joint venture between HDFC Ltd. and ERGO International AG (a part of Munich Re Group, Germany)
Merger Note: HDFC ERGO merged with Apollo Munich Health Insurance in 2020, enhancing its health insurance portfolio.
Overview:
HDFC ERGO is one of India’s top general insurance providers, offering a broad spectrum of health insurance products. The company is known for technological innovation, fast claims, and a customer-centric approach. This is one of the leading health insurance companies.
Key Features:
- Policies for individuals, families, and senior citizens.
- AI-enabled claim tracking.
- 13,000+ cashless network hospitals.
- Wellness and preventive care benefits.
Its reliability, customer service, and integration of technology make it one of the most dependable health insurance providers.
Popular Health Insurance Plans from HDFC ERGO:
The popular insurance plans are…
Optima Restore:
- Sum insured: ₹3–50 lakhs
- Key features: Automatic restore of full sum insured after first claim, no room rent capping, maternity benefits in select variants
- Ideal for: Families and individuals seeking full coverage with extra protection
my:Health Suraksha
- Variants: Silver, Gold, and Platinum
- Features: Pre/post hospitalization, preventive health checkups, wellness rewards, and free e-consultations
- Platinum variant: No room rent limits, higher wellness rewards, wider coverage
my:Health Medisure Super Top-up
- For: Existing policyholders who want extra coverage at low cost
- Deductibles: Multiple options available
- Sum insured: Up to ₹20 lakhs
Critical Illness Insurance Plan
- Coverage for: 15–38 major illnesses depending on the variant
- Lump sum payout: Upon diagnosis of covered illness
- Best for: High-risk professionals or people with family history of illness
Individual and Family Floater Plans
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Available across different plans with flexibility in sum insured and features
4. Care Health Insurance:
Established: 2012
Headquarters: Gurgaon, Haryana
Parent Group: Religare Enterprises (now part of Care Health under Kedaara Capital and other investors)
Regulated By: IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India)
Overview:
Care Health Insurance is a prominent standalone health insurer that has built a strong presence in retail health, group health, personal accident, top-up plans, and critical illness coverage. It’s known for offering budget-friendly plans, wide hospital networks, and comprehensive features. This is one of the leading health insurance companies.
Key Features:
- Over 12,000+ cashless hospitals.
- Wide range of health, top-up, and critical illness plans.
- Quick claim processing and 24×7 customer assistance.
- High renewal rates and customer satisfaction scores.
Its deep focus on health protection and affordability makes it a favorite for middle-income families and agents alike.
Popular Care Health Insurance Plans:
The popular insurance plans are…
Care (Formerly Care Health Plan):
- Core health plan for individuals & families
- Sum insured from ₹3 lakh to ₹6 crore
- Unlimited e-consultations, NCB up to 150%
- No room rent limit in higher variants
Care Advantage:
- High sum insured starting from ₹25 lakhs to ₹1 crore
- Comprehensive features with affordable premium
- Suitable for metro city residents
Care Freedom (For Senior Citizens)
- No pre-policy medical tests for those aged 46+
- Covers diabetes and hypertension
- Lifelong renewability and fixed room rent
Care Enhance (Super Top-Up Plan)
- Increases coverage at low cost over a deductible
- Ideal for supplementing employer health insurance
- Flexible deductible options
Care Heart Plan
- Tailored for cardiac patients or those with heart conditions
- Covers pre-existing heart ailments with reduced waiting period
Care Joy (Maternity Plan)
- Covers delivery expenses, newborn care, and vaccinations
- 9-month waiting period for maternity in some variants
5. ManipalCigna Health Insurance:
Founded: 2014
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Type: Standalone Health Insurance Company
Joint Venture Between:
- Manipal Group: A renowned healthcare and education conglomerate in India
- Cigna Corporation: A global health services company based in the USA
Overview:
ManipalCigna is a fast-growing player in India’s health insurance sector, known for its customizable plans, focus on chronic care, and high-quality customer service. It provides a wide array of plans for individuals, families, senior citizens, and people with pre-existing conditions. This is one of the leading health insurance companies.
Key Features:
- Diverse plans for wellness, OPD, critical illness, and chronic care.
- Global treatment coverage options.
- Personalized wellness coaching and telemedicine services.
- High claim settlement ratio.
ManipalCigna is known for niche products like global health insurance and well-being-linked plans, appealing to urban and premium segments.
Popular ManipalCigna Health Insurance Plans:
The popular insurance plans are…
ManipalCigna ProHealth Prime Plan
Variants: Protect, Advantage, Active
Key Benefits:
- OPD cover, mental healthcare, unlimited restoration of sum insured
- No room rent capping
- Chronic care benefits
Ideal For: Families and individuals seeking extensive protection
ManipalCigna Lifetime Health Plan
- Sum insured: ₹50 lakh to ₹3 crore
- Global coverage: For 27 major illnesses (in select variants)
- Includes: Air ambulance, international hospitalization, OPD, and maternity
- Ideal For: HNIs, business owners, and global travelers
ManipalCigna Health Guard (Critical Illness Cover)
- Coverage for: 30+ listed illnesses
- Lump sum payout on diagnosis
- No hospital bills needed
- Best for: Cancer, heart, liver, kidney, or stroke protection
ManipalCigna ProHealth Select Plan
- A cost-effective plan for individuals or small families
- Offers fixed room rent, pre-post hospitalization, and restoration
- Good option for young professionals and small families
ManipalCigna Super Top-up Plan
- Enhances existing base cover with higher sum insured at a low premium
- Deductible options available from ₹1 lakh upwards
- Ideal for upgrading older or employer-provided policies
6. Aditya Birla Health Insurance:
Founded: 2015
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Parent Group: Joint venture between Aditya Birla Capital Ltd. and MMI Holdings Ltd., South Africa
Type: Standalone Health Insurance Company
Regulated by: IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India)
Overview:
Aditya Birla Health Insurance is a fast-growing player in the Indian health insurance space, offering health-focused, digitally integrated, and wellness-driven insurance products. Its Activ Health plans reward policyholders for staying fit — a unique feature in the Indian market. This is one of the leading health insurance companies.
Features:
- OPD consultations and treatment are included in select plans
- Maternity & Newborn Cover: Covered under specific plans like Activ Health – Platinum Enhanced (after waiting period)
- Emergency Services: Includes ambulance, air ambulance (in premium variants), and global emergency coverage
- OPD Benefits: Doctor consultations, diagnostics, and pharmacy expenses are covered in higher plans
Popular Aditya Birla Health Insurance Plans:
The popular insurance plans are…
Activ Health – Platinum Enhanced:
- Sum insured: ₹5 lakh to ₹2 crore
- Unlimited reinstatement of SI for unrelated illnesses
- Chronic management, OPD, mental illness, dental, and wellness rewards
- Best for: Families and professionals seeking all-in-one coverage
Activ Assure Diamond Plan:
- Sum insured up to ₹2 crore
- HealthReturns, booster benefits (up to 50% No Claim Bonus), room flexibility
- Maternity & newborn cover (after a 2-year waiting period)
- Best for: Individuals & couples planning to expand their family
Entry age: 55–80 years:
- 586 daycare treatments, pre-/post-hospitalization, health checkups
- Chronic illness coverage from Day 1 (with a higher premium)
Activ Secure – Critical Illness Plan:
- Lump sum payout upon diagnosis of 64 listed critical illnesses
- No hospital bills or documentation required
- Optional riders: hospital cash, accidental death, permanent disability
Activ Health – Essential Plan:
- Budget-friendly health insurance
- Includes HealthReturns and 100% SI restoration
- Suitable for first-time buyers and small families
Comparative Commission Structure:
| Health Insurance Company | Commission Structure | Key Benefits | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Health Insurance | 15% – 20% (Average on regular plans) |
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| Niva Bupa Health Insurance | 12% – 18% (Varies with policy type) |
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| HDFC ERGO Health Insurance | 10% – 18% (Based on policy type and coverage) |
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| Care Health Insurance | 14% – 18% (On regular and top-up policies) |
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| ManipalCigna Health Insurance | 15% – 20% (Typically higher on premium plans) |
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| Aditya Birla Health Insurance | 12% – 18% (Varies based on policy size and type) |
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Conclusion:
The revised IRDAI guidelines in 2025 have ushered in a new era for health insurance agents in India. By allowing insurers greater flexibility within defined expense limits, agents stand to benefit from enhanced earning opportunities. Companies like Star Health, Niva Bupa, and Care Health are at the forefront, offering competitive commissions that reflect the evolving landscape.