In a big relief to dissatisfied health insurance policy holders, sectoral regulator IRDA allowed them portability. This will allow health insurance policy holders shifting policies from one insurer to another on same terms from July 1st this year. The new facility will also help those policy holders who stick to one insurer throughout life for fear of losing the cover for pre existing diseases. AIR correspondent reports, IRDA decision comes after it received several representations from consumer associations and policy holders for enabling portability of health insurance policies. Moreover, if the policy results into discontinuance because of any delay by the insurer in accepting the proposal, IRDA said the insurer should not treat the policy as discontinuance and allow portability.The regulator had asked all insurance companies to share the database, including the claim details of the policies, where the policyholders had opted for portability with their counterparts, if requested by the counterpart within seven working days of such request. The regulator asked insurers to acknowledge applications within three working days.