Care Health Care Supreme vs HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+
Side by side on the figures that decide a claim — and which one we would actually pick.
We score HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ higher at 4.6/5 against 4.5/5, winning 5 of the 7 comparable measures. Optima Secure+ is the cheaper of the two on the illustrated profiles.
Side by side
| Measure | Care Health Care Supreme | HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ |
|---|---|---|
| Myinsurancebro Score | 4.5 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Claim settlement ratio 3-year average | 95.45% | 97.61% |
| Complaints per 10,000 claims Lower is better | 42.67 | 8.87 |
| Cashless hospitals | 22100 | 16000 |
| Annual health premium | ₹8,404.67 Cr | ₹6,596.53 Cr |
| Sum insured available | ₹5 L – ₹1 Cr | ₹10 L – ₹2 Cr |
| Restoration of cover | Unlimited automatic recharge | Unlimited, built in |
| No-claim bonus | Up to 100%, extendable to 500% or unlimited via add-on | Infinite Benefit — 100% of base cover added every year, no cap |
| Pre-existing disease wait | 3 years | 3 years |
| Specific illness wait | 2 years | 2 years |
| Maternity cover | Not covered | Parenthood rider |
| Room rent limit | No limit on ₹10 L and above | No limit — any room category |
| Consumables covered | Claim Shield Plus add-on — 146 items | Covered in base plan |
| Premium — couple, 31 & 32 | ₹21,528 | ₹21,128 |
| Premium — seniors, 62 & 63 | ₹78,923 | ₹75,608 |
Care Supreme
Care Supreme has the better feature sheet and HDFC ERGO has the better claims desk, and which of those you weight more heavily should decide it. The unlimited recharge, the 22,100-hospital network and the Instant Cover add-on are all real advantages, especially if you live outside a metro or have a pre-existing condition you want covered quickly. But 42.67 complaints per 10,000 claims is a number we will not talk you past — it means roughly one in every 234 claims ends up escalated. Buy this for the network and features, with your eyes open about servicing.
Against it
- 42.67 complaints per 10,000 claims — nearly five times HDFC ERGO. This is the headline problem
- 95.45% settlement ratio is respectable but trails HDFC ERGO by two full points
- No complimentary annual health check-up
- Consumables need the paid Claim Shield add-on rather than being built in
- Room rent is capped on the ₹5 lakh variant
Optima Secure+
This is the plan we put in front of most families, and the reason is the claims record rather than the feature list. A 97.61% settlement ratio with 8.87 complaints per 10,000 claims means that when you are standing at a hospital billing desk, this insurer is the one most likely to just pay. The Infinite Benefit is the other reason — cover that adds 100% of the base every year with no ceiling quietly solves the medical-inflation problem that catches most people out a decade in. It costs more than Activ One MAX. We think it is worth it.
Against it
- The most expensive of the five for a young individual buyer
- The 3-year pre-existing disease wait is standard, not market-leading
- The senior couple premium of ₹75,608 is steep
- Ambulance cover is limited compared with SBI General
Which one we would pick
HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+, on balance — 4.6/5 against 4.5/5. Where Care Supreme is ahead: cashless hospitals, annual health premium. Where Optima Secure+ is ahead: myinsurancebro score, claim settlement ratio, complaints per 10,000 claims, premium — couple, 31 & 32, premium — seniors, 62 & 63.
A score ranks plans on the evidence available; it cannot know your health history, your dependants or which exclusion will matter to you in ten years. Where the two are close, the deciding factor is usually the text rows above — room rent, waiting periods, exclusions — read against your own circumstances.
Scores are plan features 45%, insurer strength 45%, premium 10% — how we score plans.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Care Health Care Supreme or HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+?
We score HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+ higher at 4.6/5 against 4.5/5. This is the plan we put in front of most families, and the reason is the claims record rather than the feature list. A 97.61% settlement ratio with 8.87 complaints per 10,000 claims means that when you are standing at a hospital billing desk, this insurer is the one most likely to just pay. The Infinite Benefit is the other reason — cover that adds 100% of the base every year with no ceiling quietly solves the medical-inflation problem that catches most people out a decade in. It costs more than Activ One MAX. We think it is worth it.
Which of the two settles more claims?
HDFC ERGO — 97.61% against 95.45%. Read it beside complaint volume: Care Health draws 42.67 complaints per 10,000 claims and HDFC ERGO 8.87 complaints.
Which is cheaper?
HDFC ERGO Optima Secure+, on the illustrated profiles in the table above. Premiums are illustrations for a stated profile, not quotes — your own depends on age, health, city and underwriting.
Read the full reviews
Disclaimer: Figures shown here are compiled from IRDAI annual reports and public grievance disclosures, and from insurer public disclosures and policy wordings. Claim settlement ratios and complaint volumes are three-year averages for FY 2024–26. Premiums are indicative illustrations for the stated profile, not quotes — your actual premium depends on your age, health, city, habits and underwriting. Scores are Myinsurancebro's own assessment. Always read the official policy document and speak to an advisor before buying. Myinsurancebro is an IRDAI-licensed insurance advisor — we do not manufacture or underwrite any insurance product.