Waiting Period
✓ Last verified 14 Sep 2026
The short version
A waiting period is a set duration after buying a health policy before certain conditions or treatments become eligible for a claim - commonly longer for pre-existing conditions than for the policy's general coverage.
See our health insurance essentials article for the full breakdown - a general waiting period (commonly the first 30 days) excludes most claims except accidents; pre-existing condition waiting periods run longer (commonly a few years); and certain specific procedures may carry their own separate initial waiting periods. Honest disclosure of existing conditions at purchase is essential, since non-disclosure can void a claim entirely once discovered, regardless of how much time has passed. See our portability glossary entry for how waiting-period credit transfers if you switch insurers.
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