ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance vs Care Health Insurance (Formerly Religare)— Detailed Comparison 2026
ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance and Care Health Insurance (Formerly Religare) are two of the most searched insurance options in India. While ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance is rated 4.2/5, Care Health Insurance (Formerly Religare) carries a 4.1/5 rating on our platform. Let us walk you through a detailed feature-by-feature comparison to help you pick the right one for 2026.
ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance
ICICI Lombard
Those who prioritize high claim settlement ratio and brand trust
Care Health Insurance (Formerly Religare)
Care Health Insurance
Budget-conscious buyers who want the largest hospital network
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance | Care Health Insurance (Formerly Religare) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Starts From | Rs 5,000/year (for 25-year-old, Rs 5 lakh cover) | Rs 4,800/year (for 25-year-old, Rs 5 lakh cover) | Tie |
| Min Coverage | ₹3 Lakh | ₹3 Lakh | Tie |
| Max Coverage | ₹1 Crore | ₹6 Crore | Care Health Insurance |
| Claim Settlement Ratio | 98.74% (FY 2023-24) | 77.46% (FY 2023-24) | Tie |
| Network Hospitals | 9,000 | 19,500 | Care Health Insurance |
| Waiting Period | 30 days initial waiting period | 30 days initial waiting period | Tie |
| Pre-Existing Disease Waiting | 48 months | 36 months | Tie |
| Renewal Age | Lifetime renewability | Lifetime renewability | Tie |
| Min Entry Age | 18 | 5 | Care Health Insurance |
| Max Entry Age | 65 | 65 | Tie |
| Best For | Those who prioritize high claim settlement ratio and brand trust | Budget-conscious buyers who want the largest hospital network | Tie |
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★4.2 | ★★★★★4.1 | ICICI Lombard |
Pros & Cons
ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance
+Advantages
- ✔High claim settlement ratio of 98.74%
- ✔Covers pre and post hospitalization extensively
- ✔Good network of 9,000+ hospitals
- ✔Teleconsultation and wellness benefits
- ✔No co-payment for most plans
−Disadvantages
- ✘Room rent capping on base plans
- ✘Pre-existing disease waiting period of 48 months
- ✘Certain advanced treatments need add-on riders
Care Health Insurance (Formerly Religare)
+Advantages
- ✔Affordable premiums — among the cheapest in market
- ✔No room rent capping on higher plans
- ✔Coverage up to Rs 6 crore
- ✔Smart Select feature — customize your plan
- ✔Large network of 19,500+ hospitals
−Disadvantages
- ✘Pre-existing disease waiting period of 36 months
- ✘Claim process can be slow in some regions
- ✘Brand reputation lower than HDFC Ergo or Star
Our Verdict: ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance vs Care Health Insurance (Formerly Religare)
Based on our analysis, ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance edges ahead with a rating of 4.2/5 compared to Care Health Insurance (Formerly Religare)'s 4.1/5. With a difference of 0.1 points, ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance offers a stronger overall package. However, Care Health Insurance (Formerly Religare) may be better suited for specific use cases — review the feature-by-feature comparison above to decide what works best for your needs.