Overview
Star Comprehensive is a health insurance policy designed to offer a broad range of protections for both families and individuals. It includes features like the option to reduce waiting periods for pre-existing diseases (PEDs) and no pre-acceptance medical screening. However, prospective buyers should note that the plan comes with various sub-limits on diseases and treatments, and room rent limits.
Experts Review
Written by Nikhil Nair
Senior Writer
Star Health’s Comprehensive Insurance Policy is feature-rich, aiming to address diverse healthcare needs. Its wellness program offers premium discounts for healthy lifestyles, and the policy allows for midterm inclusion of newly married spouses or newborns, as well as lifelong renewals.
Despite these benefits, the policy has several notable drawbacks. Firstly, Star Health has a reputation for poor claim settlement support and post-sales service, which can be a significant issue during emergencies or when assistance is most needed. From a policy perspective, the Star Comprehensive imposes a variety of sub-limits on specific diseases and treatments, as well as room rent limits.
Its restoration of the sum insured is allowed only once per year and only after the base cover is completely exhausted, which may not be sufficient for families facing multiple large claims in a year. Also, the policy’s premium might be on the higher side due to its extensive coverage. In addition, while the wellness rewards are attractive, earning significant discounts requires consistent participation in wellness activities, which may be difficult for many individuals.
Pros
Feature set is satisfactory.
Insurer has a solid track record with great claim and service metrics.
Cons
No significant drawbacks found.
Star Health
Key Insights
Founded
2006
Star Health was established 19 years ago and has built strong credibility over time, backed by its long-standing presence in the market.
Claims Experience
85% claims settled in 30 Days
Star Health settles only 85% of claims it receives, which is relatively low and may raise concerns about reliability during claim payouts.
Network Hospitals
14,000+
Star Health has a strong network with over 14,000 hospitals, ensuring wide accessibility and convenience for policyholders.
Complaints
52 complaints per 10,000 claims registered
Star Health has a relatively high volume of complaints, which may point to ongoing issues in customer service or claim handling.
Features
All
Great
Good
Co-payment
If you bought this policy after you turned 61, you have to pay 10% of the bill every time you make a claim. Otherwise, you are good to go. The insurer will pay all costs up to the sum insured.
Room Rent
You can share a room or you could have a single room for yourself. But if you are looking for anything slightly fancy, be ready to foot a part of the bill.
Disease sub-limit
Your insurance cover won’t be fully available in case you are treated for modern treatments and a few other diseases. Meaning the insurance company has a cap on the total amount they’ll pay out if you are treated for these specific illnesses.
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 you wait for 3 years.
Customisable
For any illness: Pre existing disease waiting period is modified/reduced from 3 years to 1 year.
Pre/Post hospitalization
No worries if the doctor had to run a host of diagnostic tests before or after hospitalizing you. The insurer has your back. They will cover this amount in full for a pretty reasonable duration - 60 days before you are hospitalized and 90 days after discharge. This includes the cost of medication by the way.
Add-ons
PED Buyback
Recommended
For any illness: Pre existing disease waiting period is modified/reduced from 3 years to 1 year.
Permanent Exclusions
Conditions or treatments that the policy clearly says it will not cover.
Expenses incurred on Enhanced External Counter Pulsation Therapy and related therapies, Chelation therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Rotational Field Quantum Magnetic Resonance Therapy, VAX-D, Low level laser therapy, Photodynamic therapy & other therapies similar to those mentioned herein under this exclusion
(Code Excl 26)
Autologous-derived Stromal vascular fraction, Chondrocyte Implantation, Procedures using Platelet Rich plasma and Intra-articular injection therapy (Code Excl 28)
Expenses related to any admission primarily for diagnostics and evaluation purposes are excluded.
Diagnostic expenses not related or incidental to current diagnosis and treatment 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.
Piles, fissures, fistula‑in‑ano
Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
Sinusitis and related disorders
Menorrhagia, fibromyoma/myoma, uterine prolapse
Hernia (all types)
Waiting Period
30 days Initial waiting period
2 years Specific illness waiting period
3 years Pre-existing disease waiting periodCustomisable
Ditto's Take
◦ Excellent ◦
Waiting periods on this policy are excellent. This policy also further allows to reduce the PED waiting period to 1 year for all diseases.
Customer Reviews
A
Aryan Mishra
Wellness program offering premium discounts is a good incentive for healthy lifestyle.
A
Avani Iyer
Midterm inclusion for newly married spouse was a very helpful feature for me. Lifelong renewals also good.
A
Ayaan Menon
Wide range of coverages under one plan, seems to cover most things one would need.
G
Gayatri Chandra
Restoration of sum insured only once a year and after full exhaustion is not enough for big families.
F
Fatima Das
Claim settlement support thoda slow tha. Expected better post-sales service.
E
Eesha Jain
Good for families, covers a lot of different health needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Comprehensive 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 3-year waiting period for any pre-existing disease you may have while buying the policy.
- Maternity and Newborn Waiting Period: There’s a 2-year waiting period before you can make claims related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Does Star Comprehensive offer any additional riders?
Does Comprehensive have room rent restrictions?
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