Maternity is one of the most joyful yet financially demanding phases in a couple’s life. A maternity-focused health insurance plan can greatly reduce the financial burden associated with delivery, hospitalization, and newborn care. However, most insurance plans come with a waiting period ranging from 9 months to 4 years before maternity benefits are applicable. This makes it essential to plan early and choose a policy with the shortest waiting period.
Here’s a curated list of the top 10 maternity health insurance plans in India with minimal waiting periods and comprehensive benefits.
1. Care Joy (Joy Today Variant)
Waiting Period: 9 months
Offers maternity cover of up to ₹50,000 depending on the sum insured. It includes newborn baby coverage for 90 days and has no sub-limits on room rent.
2. Niva Bupa Aspire (Titanium+ Variant)
Waiting Period: 9 months
Provides maternity coverage from ₹40,000 to ₹2.5 lakhs. The plan also allows carrying forward unused maternity coverage to subsequent years.
3. SBI Arogya Premier
Waiting Period: 9 months
This plan offers coverage up to ₹25,000 for maternity, including both normal and cesarean deliveries. Additional benefits include automatic sum restoration and annual bonus.
4. Aditya Birla Activ One (With 3-Year Policy)
Waiting Period: 3 months (only if a 3-year policy is taken)
One of the shortest waiting periods for maternity cover. It includes coverage for prenatal and postnatal expenses, newborn care, and vaccinations.
5. Star Women Care Insurance
Waiting Period: 12 to 24 months
Uniquely designed for women, this plan allows coverage for already pregnant women between 12 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. It covers maternity up to ₹1 lakh and includes newborn and delivery expenses.
6. Star Health Assure
Waiting Period: 24 months
This comprehensive plan offers high maternity coverage, day-one newborn baby cover, and no restrictions on room rent.
7. ICICI Lombard Elevate / AdvantEdge
Waiting Period: 24 months
Includes maternity benefits of around ₹1 lakh and covers newborn hospitalization, vaccinations, and postnatal care. It can be taken as an add-on under certain variants.
8. Tata AIG Medicare Premier
Waiting Period: 36 to 48 months
Offers ₹50,000 for a male child and ₹60,000 for a female child. Also covers newborn vaccinations and prenatal expenses.
9. HDFC Ergo Medisure / Optima Restore
Waiting Period: 36 to 48 months
Provides maternity cover of up to ₹40,000. Includes AYUSH treatments, prenatal and postnatal care, and day-one newborn coverage.
10. ManipalCigna ProHealth Preferred / Advantage
Waiting Period: 24 to 48 months
Maternity cover of up to ₹1 lakh, includes newborn expenses, vaccination costs, and wellness features. Restoration of sum insured is an added benefit.
Special Mention: Already Pregnant?
For those who are already pregnant and seeking coverage, very few plans allow this. One notable option allows pregnant women to enroll between 12 to 20 weeks of gestation. Some insurers may also allow maternity coverage after 3 months under a long-term policy.
Summary
Plan Name | Waiting Period | Maternity Cover | Highlights |
---|---|---|---|
Care Joy | 9 months | ₹35k–₹50k | No room rent limits |
Niva Bupa Aspire | 9 months | ₹40k–₹2.5 lakh | Carry forward unused cover |
SBI Arogya Premier | 9 months | ₹15k–₹25k | Auto sum restoration |
Aditya Birla Activ One | 3 months | ₹50k+ | Shortest wait period |
Star Women Care | 12–24 months | ₹25k–₹1 lakh | Covers already pregnant women |
Star Health Assure | 24 months | Up to sum insured | No room rent capping |
ICICI Elevate | 24 months | Up to ₹1 lakh | Add-on maternity option |
Tata AIG Medicare | 36–48 months | ₹50k–₹60k | Higher cover for female child |
HDFC Ergo | 36–48 months | ₹20k–₹40k | Covers AYUSH & newborn care |
ManipalCigna ProHealth | 24–48 months | ₹1 lakh | Wellness & restoration option |
Final Thoughts
Maternity insurance is not just about delivery expenses—it includes prenatal care, postnatal care, vaccinations, and coverage for your newborn. If you’re planning to start a family soon, choose a plan with a shorter waiting period. If you’re already pregnant, options are limited but not impossible. Always check eligibility, exclusions, and claim processes before buying.