Niva Bupa Embraces the Ambit of the Missing Middle with the Launch of Rise in India
Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited, a leading standalone health insurer in India, has launched a new health insurance plan called “Rise” to address the health insurance needs of India’s “Missing Middle” segment. The plan is designed to make quality healthcare more accessible to this segment, which includes individuals who earn too much to qualify for government-sponsored health schemes but too little to afford private health insurance.
The “Rise” plan offers a range of features that cater to the unique needs of this segment, including:
* Flexi-Pay Benefit: Flexibility to pay premiums in installments, allowing customers to start their policy with a small token amount and pay the rest later.
* Smart Cash Benefit: A guaranteed cash payout of INR 5,000 for customers who choose to treat themselves in a government hospital.
* Return Benefit: A 50% refund of the total premium paid, with an additional 10% bonus added every year.
* Unlimited digital consultations in 16 vernacular languages.
* Optional benefits, such as modifying room type category, removing capping on modern treatments, and increasing the limit.
The plan is available in individual, multi-member, and family floater variants, with zone-wise pricing starting from INR 6,416 to INR 8,669 for a 35-year-old individual with a sum insured of INR 10 lakh.
According to Dr. Bhabatosh Mishra, Director – Underwriting, Products, and Claims, Niva Bupa, “Rise is not only a step forward in bridging the insurance gap for India’s Missing Middle but also aligns with IRDAI’s vision of Insurance for All by 2047.”
The launch of “Rise” is intended to bring about a paradigm shift in the way health insurance is perceived and consumed in India, making it more flexible, rewarding, and accessible to all. With its unique features and affordable pricing, “Rise” is poised to revolutionize the health insurance landscape in India.
A Chennai-based consumer court has ordered an insurance firm and a bank to collectively pay a compensation of Rs 51 lakh to the widow of a customer who had filed a complaint against them.
A widow and her son, Santosh and Sandeepan Sudhersan Sharma, have won a case against Niva Bupa Health Insurance and Karur Vysya Bank in the Chennai North District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The commission ordered the companies to pay the family a compensation of Rs 51,00,000 and additional 9% interest on it, along with Rs 1,05,000 in compensation for deficiency in service, mental agony, pain, and suffering, and Rs 5,000 in litigation costs.
The case arose when Sudhershan Pohloram Sharma, Sandeepan’s father, took a housing loan of Rs 50,47,000 from Karur Vysya Bank in 2021. The bank required him to purchase a health insurance policy from Niva Bupa, which he did, paying a premium of Rs 2,99,956. When Sudhershan died in 2022 due to acute coronary syndrome, his wife Santosh and son Sandeepan tried to claim the insurance policy, but Niva Bupa denied their claim, citing that the cause of death did not fall under the critical illness benefits.
However, the commission found that Sudhershan’s death was due to myocardial infarction, which is one of the critical illnesses covered under the scheme. The commission held both Niva Bupa and Karur Vysya Bank liable for deficiency in service and directed them to pay the complainants the total amount of Rs 51,00,000 with 9% interest per annum from the date of death until the date of payment. The commission also ordered the companies to pay Rs 1,05,000 in compensation and Rs 5,000 in litigation costs within two months, failing which the complainants would be entitled to get the amount with 9% interest per annum from the date of the order until the date of realization.
According to IRDA’s 2025 report, Navi, Acko, and Reliance General Insurance topped the list with the highest claim settlement ratio among health and general insurance companies.
In today’s world, having a solid health insurance policy is crucial to bear the burden of medical expenses. General insurance companies also offer health insurance coverage, among other types of insurance. However, it’s essential to evaluate the effectiveness of your health or general insurer in settling claims on time. One way to do this is by checking the claim settlement ratio, which refers to the proportion of claims paid out of the total number of claims received. According to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the claim settlement ratio is a significant indicator of an insurer’s credibility. For instance, a health insurer with a claim settlement ratio of 93% means it typically pays around 93 out of every 100 claims it receives.
IRDAI releases a list of claim settlements done by all health and general insurers every year. In 2023-2024, over 71,200,854 claims were paid out, with 81.13% of these paid within 3 months of claim intimation. Among private general insurers, Acko General Insurance led the pack with a claim settlement ratio of 99.91%, while Navi General Insurance Ltd. was close behind with 99.97%. Public sector insurers like National Insurance Co. Ltd. and The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. also performed well, with settlement ratios of 91.18% and 92.70%, respectively.
Amongstand-alone health insurers, Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company had the highest claim settlement ratio within 3 months at 92.97%. Care Health Insurance and Niva Bupa Health Insurance also performed well, with settlement ratios of 92.77% and 92.02%, respectively. On the other hand, Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd. had the lowest claim settlement ratio within 3 months, but it paid out the most claims (16,80,171) in less than 3 months. Overall, it’s essential to evaluate an insurer’s claim settlement ratio, as well as other factors such as sum insured, waiting period, and network of hospitals, before finalizing a health insurance policy.
Mumbai billionaire Saif Ali Khan’s insurance dispute sparks controversy over unequal medical coverage benefits for high-income individuals.
The leakage of actor Saif Ali Khan’s health insurance claim document has sparked a heated debate on social media about the disparities in how insurance companies handle claims for celebrities compared to regular citizens. The document revealed Khan’s insurance provider, Niva Bupa Health Insurance, approved a claim of 25 lakhs for his treatment, which cost 26 lakhs. This has raised concerns about the treatment meted out to ordinary citizens, who often face rejection or limited approval for their claims.
Industry experts, including Dr. Prashant Mishra, a cardiac surgeon, have pointed out that insurance companies often have a different standard for approving claims for high-profile patients or luxury hospitals, leading to an uneven playing field. This leaves the middle class to bear the brunt of rising premiums and limited claim approvals.
Many individuals have shared their personal experiences of navigating the complex process of filing insurance claims, from struggling with paperwork to dealing with limited coverage and exclusions. Kiran Karkera, who underwent spine surgery, and Mahesh Seth, whose wife required hip replacement, have both spoken out about the difficulties they faced in getting their claims approved.
Experts like Dr. Mishra and insurance consultant Mahavir Chopra have emphasized the need for reform, citing the limitations of cashless insurance policies and the exorbitant fees charged by some hospitals. They stress that the system is skewed towards those who can already afford the best healthcare, leaving the middle class to bear the brunt of rising costs and limited claim approvals.
In response to the controversy, Niva Bupa has stated that the cost of treatment depends on various factors, including the type of treatment, hospital, and city, and that claims are adjudicated according to policy terms and conditions. The company has also clarified that customers can choose to be admitted to a hospital of their choice and file for either a cashless or reimbursement claim.
The controversy has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the insurance industry, as well as a more equitable approach to claim approvals. As the middle class continues to struggle with the complexities of insurance, it is essential that policymakers and industry experts work together to create a more fair and just system.
Niva Bupa’s new campaign, ‘Health Insurance ka Girl Logic,’ champions women’s empowerment by promoting financial security and prioritizing their well-being.
Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited has launched a new campaign called “Health Insurance ka Girl Logic” to encourage women to take control of their health and financial security. The campaign is designed to address the fact that many women, despite being independent in other areas of life, often rely on men to make decisions about their health insurance.
The campaign is centered around Shalini Passi, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and wellness advocate, who uses her “Girl Logic” approach to make the message of health insurance relatable and fun. “Girl Logic” is about making smart choices for a secure future, and Passi highlights how choosing health insurance is just as important as other self-care decisions.
Through engaging digital content and relatable storytelling, the campaign aims to encourage women to take charge of their own health and financial security. Niva Bupa’s goal is to empower women to make proactive choices for their future and ensure that they are financially prepared for medical emergencies.
Speaking about the campaign, Nimish Agrawal, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Niva Bupa, said that women are often the primary decision-makers for their families’ well-being, but their own health and financial security tends to take a backseat. He believes that health insurance is not just about protection, but about empowerment, enabling women to live life freely and without constraints.
The campaign is launched on International Women’s Day, and Niva Bupa invites women to embrace the power of “Girl Logic” and take proactive steps towards a healthier and more financially secure future. The campaign aims to make health insurance a cornerstone of holistic well-being, and Niva Bupa’s partnership with Shalini Passi is key to achieving this goal.
Niva Bupa launches ‘Ab India Karega Rise’, a new initiative to broaden access to health insurance for India’s growing middle class.
Niva Bupa, a health insurance brand, has launched a new digital campaign called “Ab India Karega Rise” to promote its latest health insurance product, “Rise”. The campaign targets India’s middle-class population, who are ambitious and forward-looking but often face financial burden of rising healthcare costs. The “Rise” plan is designed to bridge the gap between government health schemes and expensive private insurance plans, making quality healthcare more accessible and affordable.
The campaign, launched with the tagline “Ab India Karega Rise”, aims to highlight the spirit of ambition and progress that defines modern India, while emphasizing the need for affordable and accessible health insurance. The brand’s Director, Nimish Agrawal, emphasized that Niva Bupa is committed to delivering innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of its customers, aligning with the government’s mission of “Insurance for All by 2047”.
The “Ab India Karega Rise” campaign is not just a marketing initiative, but a movement that advocates for health insurance as a key step towards financial and personal progress. With “Rise”, Niva Bupa aims to ensure that health never becomes a barrier to success, empowering Indians to secure their future with peace of mind. The campaign, conceptualized by Glue Creatives, is available in three regional languages – Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam – to reach a diverse audience across India.
Healthcare provider Niva Bupa is investigating reports of a possible data breach.
India’s Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company has announced that it is investigating a possible data leak after an anonymous individual claimed to have accessed customer data. The company is taking immediate action to conduct an investigation and implement measures to mitigate the risk. This comes amidst a series of data leaks in the insurance sector in recent months.
In November, HDFC Life Insurance reported that an unknown source shared customer data with “mala fide intent.” In August, Star Health faced a data theft incident where stolen customer data, including medical reports, were publicly accessible on messaging app Telegram and websites. India’s insurance regulator had directed insurers to audit their IT systems in October following concerns over such leaks.
The surge in data leaks has raised concerns over the security of customer information and the need for insurers to strengthen their IT systems. Niva Bupa’s investigation is ongoing, but the company has not provided further details. The incident highlights the importance of data security and the need for insurers to prioritize the protection of customer data. With the increasing reliance on digital technology, insurance companies must ensure that their systems are robust and secure to prevent such incidents.
Niva Bupa revolutionizes the future, as it brings together the power of India with the promise of transformation, with its new ‘Ab India Karega Rise’ campaign.
Niva Bupa has launched a digital campaign called “Ab India Karega Rise” to promote its new health insurance product, “Rise”, which is designed for India’s middle class. The campaign aims to provide an affordable and comprehensive health insurance solution for the country’s “Missing Middle” population, who are not eligible for government health schemes but struggle to afford private insurance. The product is tailored to meet the diverse needs of customers and is part of Niva Bupa’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of its customers.
The campaign, “Ab India Karega Rise”, reflects Niva Bupa’s belief that access to quality healthcare should be a fundamental right, not a privilege. The brand’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Nimish Agrawal, believes that Rise is a step forward in bridging the insurance gap for India’s Missing Middle and aligns with the government’s mission of “Insurance for All by 2047”.
The campaign, conceptualized by Glue Creatives, features films in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam languages and emphasizes the importance of health insurance as an essential step towards progress. Agrawal stated that “Health should never be a barrier to success. With ‘Rise’, we are empowering the people of India to secure their future and live with the peace of mind they deserve.” The campaign is a movement that encourages people to focus on their health and well-being, knowing that they have a safety net to fall back on in case of emergencies.
Following another data breach alert, the Delhi High Court issues an injunction, bringing pressure on Niva Bupa to step up its cybersecurity measures.
Niva Bupa, a health insurance company, was recently hit by a data breach and extortion attempt, which came to light on February 20. The breach was discovered when top executives received an email from an anonymous sender claiming to have accessed sensitive customer and insurance claims data. The hackers then demanded a ransom payment in exchange for not publicly releasing the stolen information.
In response, Niva Bupa took swift action to contain the breach and prevent any further unauthorized access to the compromised data. The company also cooperated with authorities to investigate the incident and take legal action against the hackers.
In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has granted Niva Bupa interim relief in the case. The court has stayed the investigation by the Delhi Police and the Cyber Crime Cell, pending further notice, to allow Niva Bupa to proceed with its own investigation and legal action.
The court’s decision is a significant relief to the company, which is working to contain the aftermath of the breach and protect the confidentiality and security of its customers’ data. The court’s intervention is also a reminder of the importance of digital security and the need for companies to take robust measures to prevent and respond to cyber attacks.
The Niva Bupa incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for greater awareness and vigilance in the digital landscape. It also underscores the importance of having a robust incident response plan in place to contain and mitigate the effects of a cyber attack. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it is essential for individuals and organizations to stay one step ahead of cyber threats and take proactive measures to protect their data and reputations.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has expressed concerns over perceived special treatment after Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was verbally granted a ₹25 lakh insurance claim, sparking calls for transparency in the medical insurance process.
The Association of Medical Consultants (AMC), a Mumbai-based doctors’ body, has raised concerns over the swift approval of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan’s ₹25 lakh medical insurance claim by Niva Bupa, a health insurance company. The AMC has alleged “preferential treatment” to a celebrity, highlighting the disparity in how insurance claims are processed for common people versus celebrities.
According to a leaked document, Saif Ali Khan’s insurance company, Niva Bupa, approved an initial amount of ₹25 lakh for his treatment, which was completed within a day of his hospitalization. The AMC, which represents over 14,000 medical professionals in India, argues that such swift action is not typical of how insurance claims are processed for ordinary policyholders.
The AMC claims that this practice creates an unfair disparity, undermining the principle of equitable healthcare access. They urge health insurance providers to prioritize equality and transparency in how insurance claims and cashless treatment limits are determined. The organization further argues that insurance should be a safeguard for all, regardless of social status, and that preferential treatment based on celebrity status creates a two-tier system that is discriminatory against ordinary policyholders.
The AMC is calling for greater transparency in the claims process, asking health insurance providers to apply the same rules and regulations to all policyholders, regardless of their social status. The organization is also seeking to end the practice of providing higher cashless treatment limits to celebrities, which they believe is unfair and discriminatory.
Leading health insurance provider Niva Bupa has faced a cyber threat, prompting an immediate investigation by its Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company has reported an incident of a cyber threat, where an anonymous entity claims to have hacked the company’s customer database. The company has stated that it is conducting an investigation into the matter and is taking measures to mitigate the risk. This comes after a similar incident with Star Health Insurance, where hackers claimed to possess personal data of nearly 31 million customers.
According to the regulatory filing, Niva Bupa has received communications from an anonymous sender claiming to have access to the company’s customer data. The company has assured that it is dedicated to taking utmost care of its customers’ interests and well-being.
Niva Bupa reported a significant jump in profit after tax (PAT) during the third quarter, with a 3.1-fold increase at Rs 13.2 crore. The company’s total income also rose to Rs 1,241 crore from Rs 1,033 crore in the same quarter last year. The solvency ratio increased to 3.03 at the end of December 2024, up from 2.56 at the end of the previous year.
This incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for companies handling sensitive customer data. It also underscores the need for regular monitoring and prompt response to cyber threats to minimize the risk of data breaches.
Niva Bupa Health Insurance reports investigating allegations of a data breach.
India’s Niva Bupa Health Insurance Co is investigating a potential data leak after an anonymous individual claims to have access to customer data. The company has not provided further details, but if confirmed, it would be the latest in a series of data breaches affecting the insurance sector in recent months. In November, HDFC Life Insurance reported a similar incident, and in August, Star Health faced a data theft incident where stolen customer data, including medical reports, were publicly accessible.
The Indian insurance regulator had directed insurers to audit their IT systems in October to address concerns over data leaks. The recent surge in data breaches has raised concerns over the security of customer data and the ability of insurance companies to protect it. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen if the claims of the anonymous individual are substantiated or not.
The frequency and severity of data breaches in the insurance sector have raised concerns over the security of customer data and the ability of insurance companies to protect it. The recent data breaches have also highlighted the importance of robust data security measures and the need for insurers to prioritize customer data protection.
Niva Bupa Health Insurance investigates potential data breach amid anonymous threat allegations.
India’s Niva Bupa Health Insurance Co is currently investigating a potential data breach after an anonymous source claimed to have access to customer data. The company has confirmed that a “threat actor” sent an email alleging possession of sensitive customer data and is working to investigate the situation and mitigate any potential risks. If confirmed, this would be the latest in a series of data breaches in India’s insurance sector in recent months.
In November, HDFC Life Insurance reported that an unidentified source had accessed and shared certain customer data with malicious intent. In August, Star Health faced a major data theft incident where customer details, including medical records, were shared on Telegram and various websites. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) had directed insurers to conduct IT audits and bolster cybersecurity measures in October.
The rising number of cyber threats in the financial sector has heightened concerns over data privacy and security, with potential regulatory scrutiny on the horizon. As Niva Bupa’s investigation continues, the company will be under close watch, and any potential findings may lead to further regulatory action.
The frequency of data breaches in India’s insurance sector is concerning, and with the lack of transparency and accountability, it’s crucial for companies to prioritize cybersecurity and ensure the protection of customer data. In the wake of these incidents, it’s essential for regulators to take a closer look at the measures implemented by these companies to prevent such breaches and ensure the security of sensitive customer information.