Pre-existing disease waiting period: how long it lasts
In shortThe pre-existing disease waiting period is the time before a policy pays for conditions you had when you bought it, such as diabetes or thyroid disease. Under IRDAI’s 2024 rules it can’t be longer than 36 months.
A pre-existing disease is one diagnosed, or treated, in the 36 months before you bought the policy. Claims linked to it can be refused until the waiting period ends.
The wait runs from when your cover first began with that insurer, as long as you renew without a break. Moving your policy to another insurer (portability) keeps the time you’ve served.
Older policies may still print 48 months. The figure in your own policy is the one that applies to it.
Declaring a condition at purchase matters: an undeclared condition can be used to refuse a claim, a declared one only waits.
Check yours
- Search for “pre-existing” in your policy: note the months.
- Find your “first policy inception” date: the wait counts from there.
- Check which conditions were declared for each person on the schedule.
Questions people ask
What is the maximum PED waiting period in India?
36 months, under IRDAI’s Master Circular on Health Insurance Business of May 2024. Policies issued earlier may print 48.
Does the waiting period restart when I renew?
No, as long as you renew within the grace period. A break in cover restarts it.
Does porting my policy reset the wait?
No. Time served with your old insurer counts towards the new one, up to the sum insured you had.
General information, not advice. Your policy’s own wording decides what it pays; IRDAI figures are from its Master Circular on Health Insurance Business (May 2024).