A good health insurance policy does more than pay hospital bills. Some plans can also increase your available health cover when you remain claim-free, giving you additional financial protection over time. This benefit is commonly called a No-Claim Bonus (NCB) or Cumulative Bonus.
For Indian consumers comparing health insurance plans in 2026, the bonus structure is worth checking alongside premiums, exclusions, waiting periods and hospital networks.
Here are five health insurance plans that stand out for their coverage-growth or no-claim bonus features.
1. HDFC ERGO my:health Suraksha
HDFC ERGO my:health Suraksha offers a cumulative bonus that can increase the sum insured at renewal. Depending on the plan selected, the bonus can range from 10% to 25%, with the maximum accumulation reaching up to 200% of the base sum insured.
This can be useful for policyholders who want their coverage to grow over several claim-free years without immediately purchasing a larger base policy.
HDFC ERGO also offers other health insurance products with cumulative bonus benefits, including plans where a 10% bonus can accumulate up to 100%.
Best for: People looking for a traditional cumulative-bonus structure with broad health coverage options.
2. Care Health Insurance Ultimate Care
Care Ultimate Care takes a different approach to the traditional no-claim bonus. The plan can increase the sum insured by 100% every year, even if the policyholder makes a claim, up to 500% of the annual sum insured.
Care also offers an optional Infinity Bonus, under which the insured can receive an additional 100% of the base sum insured on an unlimited basis, subject to the applicable policy terms. Importantly, this bonus is not reduced because of claims.
Best for: Consumers who want aggressive coverage growth rather than a conventional claim-free-only bonus.
3. Star Flexi Preferred
Star Flexi Preferred provides a clearly defined cumulative bonus. If the policy remains claim-free, the sum insured receives a 50% cumulative bonus after each renewal, with the maximum bonus reaching 100% of the sum insured.
The plan also includes automatic restoration of the sum insured up to 100%, subject to its policy conditions.
Best for: Buyers who specifically want a straightforward cumulative-bonus benefit alongside restoration features.
4. Niva Bupa ReAssure 2.0
Niva Bupa ReAssure 2.0 uses a feature called Booster+ to reward policyholders for unused coverage. The unused base sum insured can be carried forward to the next policy year, with accumulation of up to 10 times the base sum insured.
The policy also has ReAssure Forever, which can restore the base coverage after the first paid claim and can be used repeatedly, subject to the policy terms.
Niva Bupa describes its annual booster as a no-claim bonus that increases the sum insured when no claims are made.
Best for: Buyers who want substantial accumulation of unused health cover.
5. Aditya Birla Activ One
Aditya Birla Activ One offers a different type of reward-based health insurance structure. Depending on the variant, the plan provides significant coverage growth over the policy years, with the Activ One range advertising up to 6X cover by the sixth year.
The plan also includes HealthReturns, allowing eligible policyholders to earn back part of their premium by meeting specified activity and wellness conditions. Some variants advertise up to 100% of the premium as HealthReturns.
This is not identical to a conventional no-claim bonus, so buyers should check the exact variant and policy wording before comparing it directly with traditional NCB plans.
Best for: Health-conscious buyers interested in both coverage growth and wellness-linked rewards.
What Is a No-Claim Bonus in Health Insurance?
A No-Claim Bonus is a benefit offered by some health insurers when a policyholder completes a policy year without making a claim. The bonus may increase the available sum insured at renewal.
For example, a policy with a ₹5 lakh base cover could potentially become ₹5.5 lakh after a 10% cumulative bonus, depending on the policy terms.
However, every insurer calculates NCB differently. Some bonuses are reduced after a claim, while certain modern products may protect or continue the bonus even after claims.
What Should You Check Before Buying?
The highest NCB percentage should not be the only reason to choose a health insurance plan. Compare:
- Base sum insured
- Cumulative bonus limits
- Whether the bonus is reduced after a claim
- Restoration or recharge benefits
- Waiting period for pre-existing diseases
- Room-rent restrictions
- Co-payment requirements
- Network hospitals in your city
- Permanent and specific exclusions
- Premium increases at renewal
IRDAI documents demonstrate that cumulative-bonus rules can differ substantially between policies, including how bonuses accumulate and how claims affect previously earned bonuses.
A strong no-claim bonus can make a health insurance policy more valuable over the long term by increasing available coverage without requiring the policyholder to start with an extremely large base sum insured.
Among the options discussed, HDFC ERGO my:health Suraksha and Star Flexi Preferred offer more conventional cumulative-bonus structures, while Care Ultimate Care and Niva Bupa ReAssure 2.0 use broader coverage-growth mechanisms. Aditya Birla Activ One adds wellness-linked rewards to its coverage structure.
The best choice ultimately depends on the policyholder’s age, family size, medical history, budget, preferred hospitals and the exact policy terms applicable at the time of purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a No-Claim Bonus in health insurance?
It is a benefit that can increase your health insurance coverage after a claim-free policy year, subject to the insurer’s terms.
Is No-Claim Bonus the same in every health insurance plan?
No. Some plans increase the sum insured by a fixed percentage, while others offer larger accumulation, restoration or claim-protected bonus features.
Can I claim insurance and still retain my bonus?
It depends on the policy. Some products reduce the cumulative bonus after a claim, while others protect certain bonus benefits.
Should NCB be the main factor when choosing health insurance?
No. Premium, coverage, exclusions, waiting periods, co-payment, room-rent rules and hospital network should also be compared.
