विशेषज्ञ की सलाह चाहिए?हमारे गुरु मदद कर सकते हैं
Harshad
Ramalingam Kalirajan11248 Answers |Ask - Follow
Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 23, 2026
Asked on - Apr 15, 2026
I have recently purchased a Health Insurance policy from policy Bazaar of Aditya Birla Health Ins. I was having a 12 yrs old/ no - Zero Claims in 12 yrs Health policy from HDFC ergo which expired on 24th March 2026. Now policy bazaar executive told me that aditya birla policy will be ported with additional benefits and will be continuous. Instead they have issued a new policy from 1st April 2026. I made the payment on 28th March and was expecting a start date from where my previous HDFC ergo policy was expiring- since i was confirmed a continuous and portable policy . Instead got a 1st April 2026 start date. Now i was not covered from 24th March to 1st April 2026 . Is it ok to have new policy from 1st April or Aditya Birla/ Policy Bazaar need to issue me new policy with start date of 24th march. I also compliant/ escalated to them that this is not how i was sold the policy and i was better off RENEWING HDFC Ergo (which i can still renew from 24th March ). So my question is - DOES it make any difference if my 12 yrs old Heallth Insurnace policy with Cover of 50 Lakhs has differed start date. The new policy document is ported for sure, the issue is start date.
Ans: » Your Concern Is Valid
– You have done the right thing by escalating the matter.
– A 12-year claim-free health insurance history is a valuable asset.
– When a policy is ported, continuity benefits are very important and any gap in coverage deserves attention.
» The Most Important Question
The key issue is not whether the policy starts on 24th March or 1st April.
The real question is:
– Has the insurer granted you continuity benefits for all the 12 completed years?
– Has the portability request been accepted formally?
– Does the policy schedule mention continuity of waiting periods and previous coverage history?
If continuity benefits are fully recognised, that is the most critical factor.
» The Gap Between 24th March And 1st April
– Ideally, there should not have been a gap in coverage.
– During those few days, if a hospitalisation had occurred, there could have been a dispute regarding claim admissibility.
– Therefore, from a risk management perspective, continuous coverage is always preferable.
This is why your concern is justified.
» Does The New Start Date Affect Your 12-Year History?
In many cases, if portability has been approved correctly:
– Waiting periods already served continue to be recognised.
– Pre-existing disease credits continue.
– Continuity benefits remain available.
– Claim-free history may continue as per portability rules.
If these benefits are clearly mentioned and accepted by the new insurer, your 12-year history may still remain protected despite the later commencement date.
However, the insurer should clarify this in writing.
» What You Should Ask For In Writing
Request a written confirmation from the insurer stating:
– The policy has been issued under portability provisions.
– All waiting periods served under the previous insurer have been credited.
– The 12-year continuity history has been recognised.
– The gap between 24th March and 1st April will not impact portability benefits.
– No fresh waiting period will apply for benefits already earned under the previous policy.
Written confirmation is far more important than verbal assurance from a sales executive.
» Can You Still Renew The Old Policy?
– Since you mentioned that renewal may still be possible, do not cancel that option without carefully checking timelines.
– If the old insurer's grace period is still active, obtain clarity before allowing it to lapse completely.
– Once the grace period expires, options may become limited.
» Documentation To Preserve
Keep copies of:
– Previous 12 years policy records.
– Renewal notices.
– Payment proof.
– Portability application.
– Email conversations.
– Complaint and escalation references.
– New policy schedule.
These documents can be very useful if any future claim dispute arises.
» Final Insights
– The start date difference is not automatically a major problem if portability and continuity benefits have been fully protected.
– The bigger concern is the coverage gap between 24th March and 1st April.
– Your focus should now be on obtaining written confirmation that all 12 years of accumulated benefits, waiting period credits and portability advantages remain intact.
– Until you receive such confirmation, continue pursuing the complaint with both the insurer and the intermediary.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/
(more)
– You have done the right thing by escalating the matter.
– A 12-year claim-free health insurance history is a valuable asset.
– When a policy is ported, continuity benefits are very important and any gap in coverage deserves attention.
» The Most Important Question
The key issue is not whether the policy starts on 24th March or 1st April.
The real question is:
– Has the insurer granted you continuity benefits for all the 12 completed years?
– Has the portability request been accepted formally?
– Does the policy schedule mention continuity of waiting periods and previous coverage history?
If continuity benefits are fully recognised, that is the most critical factor.
» The Gap Between 24th March And 1st April
– Ideally, there should not have been a gap in coverage.
– During those few days, if a hospitalisation had occurred, there could have been a dispute regarding claim admissibility.
– Therefore, from a risk management perspective, continuous coverage is always preferable.
This is why your concern is justified.
» Does The New Start Date Affect Your 12-Year History?
In many cases, if portability has been approved correctly:
– Waiting periods already served continue to be recognised.
– Pre-existing disease credits continue.
– Continuity benefits remain available.
– Claim-free history may continue as per portability rules.
If these benefits are clearly mentioned and accepted by the new insurer, your 12-year history may still remain protected despite the later commencement date.
However, the insurer should clarify this in writing.
» What You Should Ask For In Writing
Request a written confirmation from the insurer stating:
– The policy has been issued under portability provisions.
– All waiting periods served under the previous insurer have been credited.
– The 12-year continuity history has been recognised.
– The gap between 24th March and 1st April will not impact portability benefits.
– No fresh waiting period will apply for benefits already earned under the previous policy.
Written confirmation is far more important than verbal assurance from a sales executive.
» Can You Still Renew The Old Policy?
– Since you mentioned that renewal may still be possible, do not cancel that option without carefully checking timelines.
– If the old insurer's grace period is still active, obtain clarity before allowing it to lapse completely.
– Once the grace period expires, options may become limited.
» Documentation To Preserve
Keep copies of:
– Previous 12 years policy records.
– Renewal notices.
– Payment proof.
– Portability application.
– Email conversations.
– Complaint and escalation references.
– New policy schedule.
These documents can be very useful if any future claim dispute arises.
» Final Insights
– The start date difference is not automatically a major problem if portability and continuity benefits have been fully protected.
– The bigger concern is the coverage gap between 24th March and 1st April.
– Your focus should now be on obtaining written confirmation that all 12 years of accumulated benefits, waiting period credits and portability advantages remain intact.
– Until you receive such confirmation, continue pursuing the complaint with both the insurer and the intermediary.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/