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Policy basics

What is a waiting period?

4 min read · Reviewed for general accuracy · Updated May 2026

The time you must hold a policy before certain claims are payable. There's more than one kind.

On this page
1. What it is2. The common types3. How it affects a claim

What it is

A waiting period is the time after your policy starts during which certain claims aren't payable. Once it's completed, that exclusion falls away.

The common types

Most policies have an initial waiting period for illnesses (often the first 30 days, accidents usually excepted), a longer pre-existing-disease waiting period, specific-disease waiting periods for named conditions, and a separate maternity waiting period.

How it affects a claim

If a claim is denied for a waiting period, the question is whether the period had actually elapsed by the date of treatment, and whether the condition falls within that specific waiting clause.

Frequently asked

Facing this with your own claim?

Upload your policy and the insurer’s letter — Claim Saathi reads both, finds the exact clause, and helps you respond.

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This article is general educational information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Insurance rules and timelines change — verify current regulations before acting, and consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.

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