Health Insurance comparison
HDFC Ergo vs Royal Sundaram
HDFC Ergo leads on overall score, but the better choice depends on your priorities. Here is how they compare, dimension by dimension.
IRDAI figures side by side
| Measure | HDFC Ergo | Royal Sundaram |
|---|---|---|
| Claim settlement ratio (latest year)Claims paid out of claims decided, by number. 95% or more is strong; below 90% is a flag. | 97.47% in FY 2024-25 | Not available |
| Claims counted in that yearBelow 1,000 claims, the ratio swings too much to compare. Each insurer's review names the exact IRDAI table used. | 10,67,035 reported, 10,42,906 paid | Not available |
| Three-year average claim settlement ratioShown only when all three years are available. | Not available | Not available |
| Incurred claims ratioClaims incurred as a share of premium earned, from IRDAI's Annual Report. | 87.04% in FY 2024-25 | 97.20% in FY 2024-25 |
| Complaints to IRDAIGrievances reported, from IRDAI's Handbook. | 7,326 in FY 2024-25, 22.6 per 10,000 claims | 1,052 in FY 2024-25, 28.4 per 10,000 claims |
| Solvency ratioIRDAI's minimum is 1.50. | 2.00 at 31 Mar 2025 | 2.20 at 31 Mar 2025 |
Sources: IRDAI Handbook on Indian Insurance Statistics 2024-25, IRDAI Annual Report 2024-25 and insurers' NL-37 public disclosures. Each insurer's review lists the exact table and link. See how we calculate these.
Side-by-side scores
| Dimension | HDFC Ergo | Royal Sundaram | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | HDFC Ergo |
| Claim settlement | 8.6/10 | 7.4/10 | HDFC Ergo |
| Value | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | HDFC Ergo |
| Customer service | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | HDFC Ergo |
| Digital experience | 8.4/10 | 7.5/10 | HDFC Ergo |
| Flexibility | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | HDFC Ergo |
HDFC Ergo
8.4/10Strong large-brand option with excellent network depth and standout Optima Secure plans.
Pros
- Very large hospital network
- Strong Optima Secure structure
- Good digital servicing
Cons
- Premiums can be high
- Older or basic variants need careful comparison
- Global cover may not be needed by most buyers
Royal Sundaram
7.7/10Private insurer with strong Lifeline plans and good family-cover choices.
Pros
- Strong Lifeline lineup
- High-cover Elite option
- Good listed hospital network
Cons
- Global benefits may add cost without everyday value
- Classic variant can be too small
- Health claim settlement ratio not yet verified; FY 2024-25 health ICR was 97.2% (IRDAI Handbook Table 62)
The verdict
On our scoring, HDFC Ergo edges ahead overall. That said, the loser may still win for you on a dimension you weight heavily, so match the table above to your priorities and read both full reviews.