Learn more about the grace period of health insurance policies 18^th January 2022

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we realised the importance of public health and safety. Everyone understood how integral it is to maintain a robust immune system to keep themselves and the people around safe.

While we can do everything in our power to maintain our health, falling sick is a common occurrence in every individual’s life. Unfortunately, there is no assurance that we can prevent contracting diseases. But we can invest in health insurance schemes and plans to fall back on when in dire need. You can purchase suitable online health insurance to secure your health and safety in the long run. However, it can be challenging to keep track of the due dates to renew the insurance plans as per the policy. Luckily, insurance companies provide a certain grace period to the policyholders to complete the required renewal procedure.

What is a grace period in health insurance plans?

Grace period is a time provided by the health insurance provider to the policyholders after the due date to pay the premium has lapsed. It is a second chance to renew the health insurance policy before it becomes inactive.
The grace period offered differs from company to company and the type of policy that has been issued. It is always mentioned in the insurance policy’s terms and conditions, which usually range between 15 days to 30 days.
The premium for the health insurance policy must be paid by the end of the grace period to avoid penalties or deactivation. Depending on the policy, health insurance claims during this period may not be settled by the provider until the premium for the insurance plan is paid. Therefore, it is integral to make sure your online health insurance is consistently active to ensure a smooth process in case of unplanned hospitalisation.

Is the waiting period and grace period in health insurance the same?

The grace period provided for a health insurance plan is not the same as the waiting period. The waiting period signifies the phase where the new policyholders are expected to wait to receive the health insurance benefits. A waiting period may usually range from 24 to 48 months, during which you cannot settle any claims.
While the waiting period puts you on hold to file any health insurance claims, the grace period gives an existing policyholder an extra set of days to complete the renewal process. However, once the grace period for the insurance policy has run out, the policyholder will have to elect a new plan. Therefore, it is better to remember the renewal due date and grace period of the insurance plan and pay the premium on time to avoid losing the policy.

To sum it up, it is advisable to invest in an online health insurance plan and renew it conveniently online. Expired health insurance does not ensure any cover for your emergent hospitalisation or relevant claims, which is a risk best avoided. Take accountability for your health and guarantee that you make timely payment for the policy premium. Always stay responsible for staying healthy.

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.