Maternity Insurance Policy In India 2024

By Okbima 30 Nov 2024 186
maternity-insurance-policy

Maternity insurance policy makes the journey of motherhood even more secure and fulfilling. While motherhood brings immense joy, it also comes with responsibilities, including financial planning for medical care during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care. The rising cost of healthcare services in India can place a heavy burden on families, making this type of insurance a necessity for expecting parents.

This guide provides an in-depth understanding of maternity insurance, importance, coverage, benefits, and the best policies available in India to help you make an informed decision for your growing family.

 

What Is Maternity Insurance?

Maternity insurance is a specialized type of health insurance policy that covers expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth. These plans ensure that the financial stress associated with pregnancy and delivery is significantly reduced, enabling you to focus on your health and your baby.

Key Features of Maternity Insurance

Maternity insurance policies typically provide coverage for:

  • Delivery expenses (both normal and C-section)

  • Pre-natal care, including doctor consultations and diagnostic tests

  • Post-natal care for the mother and baby

  • Hospitalization costs, including room charges and medical bills

  • Newborn baby care, including treatments, vaccinations, and congenital condition care

  • Complications during pregnancy or childbirth

  • Advanced procedures like IVF treatments and stem cell preservation.

 

Why Is Maternity Insurance Important?

Pregnancy is a major financial commitment. The cost of delivery in India ranges between ₹25,000 and ₹2,00,000 depending on the city, hospital, and type of delivery. Regular health insurance policies generally do not cover maternity-related expenses unless it is explicitly included.

Maternity insurance ensures:

  1. Financial Security: It eliminates the need to pay hefty medical bills out of pocket.

  2. Comprehensive Coverage: From pre-natal care to post-delivery baby care, these policies cover a wide range of expenses.

  3. Peace of Mind: It allows families to focus on the joyous journey of parenthood without worrying about finances.

 

List Of Best Maternity Insurance Plans in India

Plans Name

Delivery Expenses Limit (₹)

Waiting Period

Premium (₹)

 

Aditya Birla ActivOne Maternity Plan

50,000

3 Months

32,540 (For a policy tenure of 3 years)

View Plan

Care Joy Tomorrow Maternity Insurance Plan

50,000

2 Years

29,132 (For 5 lakh sum insured)

View Plan

ICICI Lombard Elevate Plan

1 Lakh

2 Years

52,557 (With maternity rider)

View Plan

ManipalCigna ProHealth Prime Advantage Insurance Plan

1 Lakh

3 Years

24,458 (With prime enhanc plus rider)

View Plan

Niva Bupa Aspire Plan

12,000

4 Years

15,200

View Plan

Reliance Health Infinity Insurance Plan

1 Lakh or 2 Lakh

1 Year/ 2 Years

70,593 (With more cover option)

View Plan

Star Women Care Insurance Plan

25,000 - 1 Lakh

2 Years

18,012

View Plan

Star Health Young Star Gold Plan

30,000

3 Years

13,646

View Plan

Tata AIG Medicare Premier Plan

1 Lakh (For a boy child) - 1.2 Lakh (For a girl child)

4 Years

21,861

View Plan

Zuno Health Insurance Plan

50,000 (For Gold variant) - 2 Lakh (For Platinum variant)

4 Years

18,195 (For ₹15 lakh sum insured under Gold variant) - 25,320 (For ₹15 lakh sum insured under Platinum variant)

View Plan

 

Find The Perfect Maternity Plan — Compare Now

 

Top 10 Maternity Insurance Plans in India

Welcoming a new life into the world is a joyous occasion, but it comes with significant financial responsibilities. Maternity insurance plays a crucial role in ensuring that you and your family are financially secure during this special time. With various plans available in India, choosing the right maternity insurance policy can feel overwhelming. To make it easier, we have detailed the top 10 maternity insurance plans in India, including their features and benefits, to help you make an informed decision.

1. Aditya Birla ActivOne Maternity Plan

The Aditya Birla ActivOne Maternity Plan stands out as one of the few options that provide coverage to women who are already pregnant. It has one of the lowest waiting periods in the industry, ensuring timely coverage for pregnancy-related expenses.

Key Features:

  • Waiting Period: Only 3 months.

  • Coverage: Both normal and C-section deliveries.

  • Additional Benefits: Coverage for medically necessary pregnancy terminations and free health check-ups.

  • Sum Insured: Unlimited restoration of the sum insured from day 1.

  • Renewal Bonus: 5x renewal bonus.

  • No Room Rent Limit: No restrictions on hospital room rent.

This plan is an excellent choice for women who want quick coverage and comprehensive benefits, making it a popular choice among expecting mothers.
 

2. Care Joy Tomorrow Maternity Insurance Plan

Designed with the healthcare needs of pregnant women in mind, the Care Joy Tomorrow plan offers robust coverage for both the mother and newborn.

Key Features:

  • Maternity Expenses: Includes both pre-natal and post-natal care.

  • Newborn Baby Coverage: Covers medical expenses and treatments for newborns.

  • No Medical Check-up: No pre-policy medical screening is required.

This plan ensures a smooth transition into motherhood with a focus on comprehensive care for both mother and child.
 

3. ICICI Lombard Elevate Plan

The ICICI Lombard Elevate Plan is an excellent choice for families, as it offers pregnancy-related coverage under its family floater scheme.

Key Features:

  • Maternity Rider: Covers medical expenses for up to three deliveries or terminations.

  • Delivery Costs: Coverage for normal and C-section deliveries.

  • Newborn Benefits: Vaccinations and treatments for newborns.

  • Eligibility: Available for women up to the age of 50.

This plan provides flexibility and caters to families planning multiple pregnancies during the policy tenure.
 

4. ManipalCigna ProHealth Prime Advantage Insurance Plan

The ManipalCigna ProHealth Prime Advantage Plan is known for its extensive coverage under the "Advantage" and "Protect" variants with the Prime Enhanc Plus rider.

Key Features:

  • Delivery Costs: Covers both normal and C-section deliveries.

  • Newborn Expenses: Includes treatment and vaccination for the first year.

  • Policy Lifetime: Maternity coverage for up to two deliveries or terminations.

  • Pre & Post-natal Care: Comprehensive coverage for maternity-related expenses.

This plan is a reliable option for parents seeking extensive maternity and newborn care.
 

Get Maternity Insurance And Ease Your Pregnancy – Buy Now

 

5. Niva Bupa Aspire Plan

The Niva Bupa Aspire Plan offers a unique "M-iracle Benefit" for comprehensive maternity coverage.

Key Features:

  • Waiting Period: Ranges from 9 months to 2 years, depending on the variant.

  • M-iracle Benefit: Unutilized sum insured can be carried forward up to 10x with the Booster+ benefit.

  • Delivery Costs: Covers both normal and caesarean deliveries.

  • Surrogacy: Includes delivery expenses of the surrogate mother.

  • Additional Coverage: Assisted reproduction techniques, infertility treatments, and adoption charges.

With its wide range of benefits, this maternity insurance policy is ideal for families exploring advanced maternity care options.
 

6. Reliance Health Infinity Insurance Plan

This comprehensive health insurance plan covers maternity expenses and newborn baby treatments, making it a holistic choice for families.

Key Features:

  • Delivery Coverage: Covers medical expenses for childbirth.

  • Newborn Benefits: Includes treatment and vaccination.

  • Policy Tenure: Maternity coverage is available only for 3-year policy tenures.

  • Add-on Option: "More Cover" feature to increase the maternity coverage limit.

This plan is best suited for families seeking additional maternity coverage alongside comprehensive health insurance benefits.
 

7. Star Women Care Insurance Plan

The Star Women Care Insurance Plan is a trailblazer, offering coverage to women who are already pregnant, as well as those planning pregnancies.

Key Features:

  • Pregnancy Coverage: Requires submission of scans between the 12th and 20th week of pregnancy for existing pregnancies.

  • Delivery Costs: Covers both natural and C-section deliveries.

  • Unique Benefits: Coverage for assisted reproduction treatments, in-utero fetal surgery, and external & internal congenital expenses.

  • Additional Benefits: Vaccination, pediatric consultations, and accidental miscarriage expenses

  • No Pre-screening: No pre-acceptance medical screening is required except for pregnant women.

This plan caters specifically to women seeking extensive maternity coverage with minimal restrictions.
 

8. Star Health Young Star Gold Plan

Star Health’s Young Star Gold Plan is ideal for women planning to expand their families with reliable coverage.

Key Features:

  • Maternity Coverage: Available for up to two deliveries.

  • Waiting Period: A fresh 2-year waiting period applies after the first claim.

  • Newborn Care: Covers delivery and post-natal expenses.

  • Pre-screening: No pre-acceptance medical screening is required.

This plan provides peace of mind with its focus on maternity and newborn care.
 

9. Tata AIG Medicare Premier Plan

The Tata AIG Medicare Premier Plan is an all-inclusive option for maternity and newborn care.

Key Features:

  • Delivery Costs: Covers expenses for normal and C-section deliveries.

  • Newborn Benefits: Includes first-year vaccinations.

  • Special Benefit: Higher maternity coverage for delivering a girl child.

This plan’s emphasis on gender-specific benefits makes it a thoughtful choice for families.
 

10. Zuno Health Insurance Plan

The Zuno Health Insurance Plan offers coverage for maternity expenses under its Gold and Platinum variants, making it a cost-effective choice for expectant mothers.

Key Features:

  • Delivery Coverage: Includes both voluntary and involuntary pregnancy terminations.

  • Pre-screening: No pre-policy medical check-up required.

  • Limitations: Does not cover newborn baby expenses.

This plan is a suitable option for those seeking affordable maternity coverage without additional newborn benefits.

 

When Should You Buy Maternity Insurance?

Timing is crucial when purchasing maternity health insurance. Most policies come with a waiting period ranging from 3 months to 4 years. This means you need to buy the policy well in advance to claim benefits when required.

Tips for Buying Maternity Insurance

  • Plan Early: Buy a policy as soon as you start planning for a family to complete the waiting period.

  • Compare Waiting Periods: Some policies, like Aditya Birla ActivOne Maternity Plan, have a waiting period as low as 3 months.

  • Check Coverage: Ensure the policy covers delivery expenses, pre and post-natal care, and newborn care.

 

Benefits Of Maternity Insurance Plans 

1. Financial Security

Maternity insurance eliminates financial strain during pregnancy, ensuring families are prepared for all medical expenses related to childbirth.

2. Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Care

Comprehensive coverage for medical care during and after pregnancy ensures that both mother and baby receive the best possible care.

3. Coverage for Complications

Pregnancy complications, including premature delivery and high-risk cases, are covered under most pregnancy insurance plans.

4. Newborn Baby Care

Expenses related to newborn treatments, vaccinations, and congenital condition management are included, giving your baby the best start in life.

5. IVF and Advanced Treatments

Policies like the Niva Bupa Aspire Plan cover assisted reproduction techniques, ensuring financial support for couples facing fertility challenges.

 

Cost Of Maternity Care In India

Maternity care in India is expensive, and the costs are rising steadily. According to an IIT Madras study, cesarean deliveries have increased significantly, making them a common yet costlier option for childbirth.

  • Normal Delivery: ₹25,000 to ₹75,000

  • C-Section Delivery: ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000

With regular health insurance policies not covering these costs, maternity insurance becomes a necessity for managing expenses effectively.

 

Maternity Insurance Plans With No Waiting Period

Finding maternity insurance plans with no waiting period is challenging. However, some plans like Aditya Birla ActivOne Maternity Plan offer the shortest waiting period of 3 months, ensuring quick coverage for those who need it.

 

How To Choose The Right Maternity Insurance Plan?

  1. Compare Waiting Periods: Choose a policy with the shortest waiting period to start availing benefits sooner.

  2. Check Coverage: Ensure the plan covers delivery, pre-natal, post-natal care, and newborn expenses.

  3. Look for Additional Benefits: Policies with IVF, surrogacy, and stem cell preservation add significant value.

  4. Assess Premium Costs: Balance the premium amount with the coverage offered to ensure affordability.

 

Choose Hassle-Free Maternity Insurance Today – Compare Now

 

Summing It Up…

Pregnancy is a life-changing journey, and having a maternity insurance policy ensures that this journey is financially stress-free. From covering delivery expenses to providing advanced treatment options, these policies are designed to support families at every step of parenthood.

Planning early and choosing the right policy can make all the difference, ensuring that you and your baby receive the best possible care without financial worries. Start exploring maternity insurance plans today to secure a bright and healthy future for your family.

FAQs

Maternity insurance policy is a health insurance plan specifically designed to cover expenses related to pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care. It is crucial for managing high medical costs, including hospitalization, delivery charges, and newborn care, ensuring financial stability during this life stage.

The waiting period for maternity insurance plans in India varies between 9 months and 4 years, depending on the insurer and policy. Planning early is essential, as coverage benefits can only be availed after completing the stipulated waiting period.

Generally, pre-existing pregnancy conditions are not covered under most maternity insurance plans. However, some policies, like Star Women Care Insurance, may provide limited coverage for pregnancy-related pre-existing conditions under specific terms.

Yes, certain maternity insurance plans offer coverage for assisted reproductive treatments like IVF. Plans such as Niva Bupa Aspire and Star Women Care Insurance include benefits for ART procedures, subject to policy terms and conditions.

Most maternity insurance plans cover newborn baby expenses, including vaccinations, treatment for congenital conditions, and medical care for illnesses during the first few weeks or months after birth. Policies like Tata AIG Medicare Premier and Reliance Health Infinity offer comprehensive newborn care benefits.

Individual maternity insurance focuses solely on covering maternity-related expenses, while family floater plans include maternity benefits as part of a larger health insurance package. Plans like Max Bupa Heartbeat protect the entire family while also covering maternity and newborn care.

Yes, cesarean delivery expenses are typically covered under maternity insurance plans alongside normal delivery. Policies such as Care Joy Tomorrow and Aditya Birla ActivOne include both delivery types, offering financial support irrespective of the delivery method.

Most insurers do not offer maternity insurance to women who are already pregnant due to the waiting period clause. However, certain plans, like Star Women Care Insurance, provide coverage even for women who are already expecting, subject to specific conditions.

Some maternity insurance policies cover congenital conditions in newborns. Plans like Bharti AXA Smart Super Health and Star Women Care include such coverage, helping parents manage medical expenses for congenital diseases or birth complications.

Choosing the right maternity insurance policy involves evaluating factors like the waiting period, coverage for delivery types, pre- and post-natal care, and newborn coverage. Comparing premiums and benefits across policies can help ensure you select a plan that suits your family’s needs.

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