Care Health vs ICICI Lombard — Health Insurance Comparison
Claim Settlement
86.5%vs85.8%
Network Hospitals
9,800vs11,500
Claims Difficulty
MediumvsMedium
Category Wins
5vs1
Oquilia Verdict: Care Health edges ahead
Winning 5 out of 6 scored categories in this comparison
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Care Health 7.5 | ICICI Lombard 7.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Oquilia Score | 7.5/10Winner | 7.1/10 |
| Claim Settlement Ratio | 86.5%Winner | 85.8% |
| Network Hospitals | 9,800 | 11,500Winner |
| Incurred Claim Ratio | 65.3%Winner | 74.2% |
| Top Plan Score | 7.9/10Winner | 7.5/10 |
| Insurer Type | Standalone HealthWinner | General Insurer |
Score Comparison
Which Should I Choose?
Select your top priority to get a tailored recommendation.
Care Health wins overall with 5 category wins. It is the stronger choice across the board.
This is an editorial assessment. Always read the policy wording and consult a licensed advisor before purchasing.
Claims Experience Comparison
Care Health
Some documentation requirements, occasional follow-ups
ICICI Lombard
Some documentation requirements, occasional follow-ups
Gotcha Alerts
Fine-print items from both insurers that can catch you off guard at claim time. Compare the gotchas side by side to understand the risks.
Care Health Gotchas
Specific disease waiting period extends to 4 years
Pre-existing conditions and specified diseases like knee replacement, hernia, and cataracts have a 48-month waiting period. Some competitors have reduced this to 24-36 months on premium plans.
Source: Care Supreme, Section 4 — Waiting Periods, Clause 4.3
Co-payment applicable for senior citizens above 61
A 10-20% co-payment is mandatory for policyholders above 61 years of age on most plans. This co-pay cannot be opted out regardless of sum insured chosen.
Source: Care Health Elderly Plan Addendum, Clause 3.1
ICICI Lombard Gotchas
Disease-wise sub-limits on certain ailments
Cataract surgery is capped at 40,000 per eye regardless of actual cost. Knee replacement and similar procedures have fixed caps. These are not proportionate to sum insured — they remain fixed even for high SI policies.
Source: Health Shield, Annexure B — Disease-wise Sub-limits
Daycare procedures list is not exhaustive
Only daycare procedures explicitly listed in the policy document are covered. If a new daycare procedure is not on their approved list, cashless claims can be rejected even if medically necessary.
Source: ICICI Lombard Health, Section 2.5 — Daycare Procedures
Our Verdict: Care Health vs ICICI Lombard
Care Health comes out ahead in this comparison, winning 5 out of 6 scored categories against ICICI Lombard. The key differentiators are a higher Oquilia Score and competitive financial health indicators. However, ICICI Lombard still holds ground in areas where it outperforms, so your choice should ultimately depend on your specific coverage needs, preferred hospital network, and budget.
When to Choose Care Health
Choose Care Health if you prioritise competitive pricing and strong brand backing. As a standalone health insurer, they bring focused health insurance expertise. Their Care Supreme offers coverage starting at 6,100/yr* with sum insured options up to 5L - 6Cr. Highly competitive premium pricing for young, healthy individuals.
When to Choose ICICI Lombard
Choose ICICI Lombard if hospital network breadth matters most to you. Their general insurance scale translates to wider distribution and competitive pricing. Their top-rated plan, IL Health Booster, scores 7.5/10 on Oquilia and is available from 7,800/yr*. Strong institutional brand backed by ICICI group.
Ultimately, the right insurer depends on your individual health profile, family size, city of residence, and risk tolerance. A policy that works brilliantly for a young professional in Mumbai may not suit a senior citizen in a tier-2 city. We recommend checking both insurers' network hospitals in your area, reading the actual policy wording for your chosen plan, and paying close attention to the gotcha alerts flagged above. For a personalised recommendation, use Oquilia's Oquilia Advisor.
This is an editorial assessment based on publicly available IRDAI data and company disclosures. Oquilia is not a licensed insurance advisor. Always consult a qualified professional before purchasing insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Care Health better than ICICI Lombard for health insurance?+
Based on Oquilia's analysis, Care Health scores 7.5/10 while ICICI Lombard scores 7.1/10. Care Health has a 86.5% claim settlement ratio compared to ICICI Lombard's 85.8%. The better choice depends on your priorities: ICICI Lombard may have smoother claims handling, while ICICI Lombard has more network hospitals (11,500 vs 9,800).
Which has a better claim settlement ratio, Care Health or ICICI Lombard?+
Care Health has the higher claim settlement ratio at 86.5%, compared to 85.8% for ICICI Lombard. The industry average is approximately 85%, so both insurers perform above average. Beyond the ratio, consider claims difficulty: Care Health is rated Medium while ICICI Lombard is rated Medium.
What are the top plans from Care Health and ICICI Lombard?+
Care Health's top-rated plan is Care Supreme with an Oquilia Score of 7.9/10, offering sum insured from 5L - 6Cr starting at 6,100/yr*. ICICI Lombard's best offering is IL Health Booster scoring 7.5/10, with coverage from 5L - 50L at 7,800/yr*. Always compare the specific plan features, sub-limits, and waiting periods before deciding.
Explore both insurers in detail
Read full profiles with complete plan breakdowns, claims data, and gotcha alerts.