My baby was born on 10 March 2026. I raised a request to add them to my Star Health policy on 14 March 2026 — just 4 days later, well within the standard 90-day window, and before my policy hit the 9-month mark.
My baby was born on 10 March 2026. I raised a request to add them to my Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy on 14 March 2026 — just 4 days after birth.
At the time of my request, my policy had been active for 8 months and 26 days — meaning I raised it before the 9-month mark they subsequently cited.
The request was also within the standard 90-day newborn inclusion window that exists in virtually every health insurance policy, including mine.
Star Health rejected it anyway — claiming mid-term inclusion is not allowed after 9 months of policy duration. When I asked them to show me that clause in the policy document, they could not. Because it isn't there.
"Mid-term inclusion of child is not applicable if policy runs more than 9 months from the date of policy issuance as per policy conditions. Hence kindly approach us prior 30 days of renewal to add the child in the policy. We suggest you to purchase the new policy for the child."
— Agent Shafreen A, Customer Service Team, 23 March 2026
1. Request raised on March 14, when policy was 8 months 26 days old —
before the 9-month mark.
2. The actual policy document (SHAHLIP25037V082425) contains no clause restricting newborn
addition based on policy age.
3. Newborn additions are a special category — standard practice allows them within 90 days
of birth regardless of policy duration.
I didn't just take their word for it. I obtained a copy of the official Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy wording (SHAHLIP25037V082425 — V.22) and read every clause related to newborns, mid-term inclusions, and add/remove insured.
The policy defines a "newborn baby" as a baby born during the policy period and aged up to 90 days. It provides coverage for newborn expenses and sets up a vaccination clause. It does not, anywhere, state that a child cannot be added mid-term based on how long the policy has been active.
I attached this full policy PDF to my email to the Grievance Redressal Officer, highlighting the relevant sections and asking them to cite the exact clause number that supports their refusal. They have not responded to that specific request.
Their support team continued to close tickets, send copy-paste replies, and eventually suggested I just buy a separate new policy for my newborn — which would mean paying additional premiums for a child I'm already entitled to add under my existing policy.
When I called their helpline, I was kept on hold for extended periods and then disconnected. When I did get through, the phone team said they "don't have access to the email team" and created separate phone-call tickets — then cloned them, citing they had "picked up the call and discussed the problem." Nothing was actually resolved.
Ticket #245738** — my original complaint from March 14 — has been closed and reopened at least 5 times. Each closure came with a "We hope we've helped you to the best of your satisfaction." Nothing was ever resolved.
The Star Health mobile app generates new tickets automatically. None of those tickets have been actioned. I replied to one of their "new ticket" emails: "Is your support team working? Seems like none of my support tickets reached an actual customer care representative."
I escalated to grievances@starhealth.in on March 21. I received a vague, templated reply assuring me they were "actively reviewing" my case. When I followed up with the actual policy document attached and demanded a specific clause number — silence.
Every date. Every ticket. Every fake "resolution." Every non-response.
I read the actual policy document (SHAHLIP25037V082425 — Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy V.22) and sent it to their Grievance team. Here is what the policy actually says — and what it does not say.
In my email to grievances@starhealth.in on 26 March 2026, I made three specific requests:
1. Provide the exact clause number and wording from policy SHAHLIP25037V082425 that supports the 9-month restriction.
2. Reconsider the decision to deny mid-term inclusion based on the contractually documented terms.
3. Clarify whether internal underwriting guidelines (not disclosed at the time of policy purchase) are being applied in place of the actual policy terms — which would constitute non-disclosure under IRDAI regulations.
As of 31 March 2026 — they have not answered any of these three questions.
9+ tickets, 17+ days. Here's the exact script they follow every time.
You submit a request. Within minutes: "Your ticket has been created with ID XXXXXXXX. Someone from our customer service team will review it and respond shortly." They will not.
For 7 days after Ticket #245738** was created, there was no substantive response. Emails sent asking for an update generated new tickets but no actual answers.
When they finally respond, the reason for refusal is a "policy condition" that isn't in the policy. When you ask for the clause number, they stop responding.
"Your ticket has been Closed. We hope that we've helped you to the best of your satisfaction." Ticket #245738** received this treatment at least five times. Satisfaction: zero.
Call the helpline. Be placed on hold. Be disconnected. Call again. Be told the phone team "doesn't have access to the email team." Have a new phone-call ticket cloned into the system. Nothing resolved.
Escalate to grievances@starhealth.in. Receive: "We sincerely appreciate you reaching out… Your satisfaction is our priority." Send a detailed policy analysis. Receive: silence.
Verbatim responses from Star Health — presented without further comment.
Mid-term inclusion of child is not applicable if policy runs more than 9 months from the date of policy issuance as per policy conditions. Hence kindly approach us prior 30 days of renewal to add the child in the policy. We suggest you to purchase the new policy for the child.
Your ticket has been Closed. We hope that we've helped you to the best of your satisfaction.
We sincerely appreciate you reaching out to us regarding your policy-related concern. We understand that such matters can be frustrating, and we want to assure you that your grievance is important to us. Our team is actively reviewing the details to ensure a fair and comprehensive resolution.
Dear User, Greetings from Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd! Thank you for reaching out to us. Your email is important to us and we will revert within 24 hrs with further updates.
As per policy terms and conditions, intimation about the new born baby should be given within 60 days from the date of birth. The cover for new born commences from 91st day of its birth.
I already have many tickets open. None of those got addressed.
Submit a complaint. Any complaint. Experience the magic.
Based on real ticket patterns from 14–31 March 2026.
Star Health isn't just bad at resolving my complaint. According to IRDAI's own annual report data, they are the #1 insurer in India for policyholder complaints — by a massive margin.
Data: IRDAI Annual Report 2023–24 | Reported by Economic Times & IRDAI
If Star Health has refused you based on undisclosed rules, closed your tickets without resolution, or ignored your grievances — here's how to fight back.
The IRDAI's official policyholder grievance portal. Insurers are legally required to respond within a set timeline. Your complaint is logged, tracked, and escalatable.
IRDAI Grievance Mechanism →Free, fast, and the insurer is legally bound by the ruling. Find your regional Ombudsman and file a formal complaint — especially effective for claim denials and non-disclosure disputes.
Find Ombudsman →Call 1915 or file at consumerhelpline.gov.in. Your complaint is forwarded simultaneously to the company and the regulator. Free service for all Indian consumers.
File on NCH →Tag @StarHealthIns on social media. Public visibility creates accountability. Share this page. Insurance companies respond faster when others are watching.
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