Key Takeaways
- Health insurance portability allows switching insurers without losing accumulated waiting period credits.
- Apply at least 45 days before renewal — portability cannot be initiated after your policy lapses.
- The new insurer must respond within 15 days — IRDAI mandates this response time.
- Sum insured increases during portability restart the waiting period only for the enhanced portion — not the original sum insured.
- Compare premium, sum insured, network hospitals, no-claim bonus structure, and sub-limits before porting — not just premium cost.
Introduction
Your current health insurer has increased your premium by 40%. You have been a loyal customer for 5 years. You want to switch. But you worry: will you lose your waiting period benefit and start all over? The answer is no — and understanding the portability rules gives you real negotiating power.
What Is Health Insurance Portability?
Health insurance portability — mandated by IRDAI — allows policyholders to switch from one health insurance company to another (or one plan to another within the same company) without losing the waiting period credits accumulated under the previous policy. Both the PED waiting period and the 30-day initial waiting period are portable.
| Portability Feature | What Is Carried Forward | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| PED waiting period | Number of years served with old insurer counts | Must apply for portability before renewal — not after lapse |
| Initial 30-day waiting period | Waived at new insurer | Only if portability is done at renewal |
| No-claim bonus / cumulative bonus | Typically carried forward | Check specific insurer rules — varies |
| Sum insured | Can increase but PED wait restarts on enhanced portion | Wait period only resets for the increased amount |
How to Port: Step-by-Step
- Apply for portability at least 45 days before your current policy renewal date — not after.
- Submit the portability proposal form to the new insurer with your current policy details and medical history.
- The new insurer is required to respond within 15 days — IRDAI mandates this timeline.
- If approved, your new policy starts from the renewal date of your old policy — no gap in coverage.
- Ensure you receive the new policy document and verify that accumulated waiting periods are correctly credited.
When Portability Makes Sense
Consider portability when: premium increases are disproportionate to market rates for equivalent cover; claim experience has been poor; your insurer's network hospitals do not include your preferred hospital; better products with wider coverage are available at comparable premiums.
Disclaimer
Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. Please read the policy terms and conditions carefully before purchase. Baid Solutions Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd. is an IRDAI-registered Direct Insurance Broker (Reg. No.: 831). This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised advice.
Want help comparing health insurance plans before porting? Inbest experts can do the comparison for you — visit www.inbestnow.com or call +91 9903921999.
