How to Port Your Health Insurance Without Losing What You've Built

Bad service, premium increases, or a better product elsewhere — there are many good reasons to switch health insurers. IRDAI portability rules ensure you do not lose your accumulated waiting period credits.

What Carries Over

Your Rights Under IRDAI Portability

When you port, the new insurer must give you credit for the waiting periods you have already served. If you have been insured for 3 years, you carry 3 years of PED waiting period credit — meaning 0 more years of PED waiting at the new insurer. Your moratorium period also continues from your original policy start date.

What does not automatically transfer: Accumulated No Claim Bonus may not transfer. Some insurers honour ported NCB, others do not. Confirm in writing before porting.

The Timeline

When and How to Initiate Porting

You must initiate porting at least 45 days before your current policy's renewal date. Contact your chosen new insurer, fill out their proposal form, and specifically state you are requesting a port. The new insurer must respond before your current policy lapses.

Critical: Never let your existing policy lapse while awaiting a porting decision. Any gap in coverage loses all continuity benefits and waiting period credits.

Underwriting at Porting

Can the New Insurer Reject Your Application?

Yes. The new insurer has the right to underwrite your porting application if you have been continuously covered for less than 36 months. They may accept, load, exclude specific conditions, or reject.

If rejected: Your current insurer cannot deny renewal solely because you applied to port and were rejected. Continue your renewal with the existing insurer and attempt porting again at next renewal.

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