Just as hospitalisation or any insurance for that matter, is individual specific, so is porting. There is no standard formula but let us see some good indications of who should port when, and when porting is not the best solution.

Better policies, service

Porting becomes an option for various reasons. You are unhappy with your insurance company’s service or the policy you have. You notice that other companies appear to have better policies and service. Service includes customer service, promptness in addressing queries, concerns and evolving requirements whether by the insurer or his service providers like the TPA.

Of course it includes claims settlement, the touchstone of an insurance cover.

Your policy may have some constraints, including the inability to increase sum insured, sub-limits or co-pay that affect the scope of your claim, exclusions that other policies/insurers do not have, high premium rate and so on.

Frustration with service or an aspiration to get a better cover at a better rate is usually the reason most people think of porting. Here is a starter matrix for decision making.

When to port

You may consider porting if:

Age is on your side: The young and the middle-aged are likely to be in better health, have no major pre-existing diseases (PED). If they have lifestyle diseases, they are likely to be well-controlled.

Restrictive policy: You may have started quite some time ago with a low sum insured (SI) and, with a view to future, post-retirement age requirements, you want to raise it or need a policy that restores the SI.

Or, room rent and other expenditure caps force you to opt for lower category facilities or eat up your claim amount.

Better options: When its time for renewal, you will be snowed under by marketing calls offering better terms from SI to no sub limits to lower premium. While each of these is a reason to start homework on porting – please start two to three months before renewal because you need a clear 45 days to get this done without tears.

When not to port

And now, the reasons to stay with your current option:

You are senior citizen: Or are getting there shortly. As we saw in the previous instalment of this series, your health insurance options shrink as you age.

Your policy and service are good: You have compared options across a few companies and find you are on a good wicket with regard to clarity of terms and competency of rates.

Moreover, your insurer is responsive to your growing coverage requirements and you find claims being settled smoothly.

Also, when you have reliable TPA support and a wide network of and suitable hospitals in the cashless list, there is less reason to port out.

Waiting period over: Your specified procedures and PED waiting periods are done with, or almost so. If so, staying gives you stability that you should not risk for marginal benefits. There is also the risk of the company you wish to port to rejecting your proposal or loading your premium and/or restricting coverage.

This is especially applicable to senior citizens.

If you merely need more SI, make an effort to get this from your current insurer or by adding a top-up or super top-up policy rather than overhauling your entire coverage.

By this you leverage your existing relationship, medical tests may not be necessary and underwriting will be smooth.

Getting a top-up with a different company is also an option.

How and how not

Other than insurer variables like underwriting and rating, your porting experience can be smooth if you handle it the right way.

Ensure your old policy is active until the new policy is issued.

Starting the porting process at least 45 days before the renewal date is a requirement from the companies’ side. You have to start your research work earlier. Renew your old policy if needed and don’t cancel it till you receive the new policy.

Keep your documentation clean and safe. Ensure you have running written correspondence with the insurance company and the intermediaries and keep copies of old and new policy documents, claim documents and payment proofs not to speak of communications regarding the porting request from the new company.

In case of future queries or disputes, documents are your best friends.

(The writer is a business journalist specialising in insurance & corporate history)

Published on March 9, 2026