What is a Initial waiting period?
The initial waiting period is a short window at the start of a new health policy (commonly around 30 days) during which only accident-related hospitalisation is covered. Illness claims raised in this window are usually excluded, to prevent buying cover only after symptoms appear.
How it works
From the policy start date, claims for illness are generally not payable for the initial waiting period, while hospitalisation due to an accident is typically covered from day one.
This is separate from, and shorter than, the pre-existing disease and disease-specific waiting periods, which run for longer.
Common mistakes
- Delaying buying cover until you feel unwell; illness claims in the first weeks are usually excluded.
- Confusing the short initial waiting period with the much longer PED waiting period.
Frequently asked questions
Are accidents covered during the initial waiting period?
Yes, accident-related hospitalisation is typically covered from day one; the initial waiting period usually applies only to illness.