Waiting time (private insurance)
In the private insurance lines, waiting times are used wherever a hidden performance risk can arise for the companies due to hidden dangerous circumstances (for example due to a lack of medical documentation such as certificates or treatment documents).
Basically, the waiting period comprises a fixed period of time between the actual contractually agreed start of the insurance (through the company's declaration of acceptance or the date of the insurance policy) and the first day from which the policyholder can claim an insurance benefit. This waiver of benefits applies, among other things, to:
- private health insurance
- occupational disability / disability insurance
- Subsections of legal protection insurance
- Sub-areas of life insurance
- Animal health / operating theater insurance.
Waiting time in private health insurance
In the context of private medical expenses Insurance , based on Chapter 8 of the ICA (Insurance Contract Act) or the standard terms and conditions of the PKV association based (MB / KK 2009: medical expenses and hospital cash insurance), general and special waiting periods apply. The latter apply to:
- Childbirth
- psychotherapy
- Dental treatment
- Dentures and orthodontics
and extend over a period of 8 months. According to Section 197 VVG, a period of 3 months is provided for the general waiting period . Both waiting times do not apply to benefit claims the cause of which is based on an accident. In addition, Section 3 (4) MB / KK 2009 gives policyholders the option of shortening the waiting time with the help of a medical certificate.
A shortening can also be considered if the policyholder can provide evidence of previous insurance periods of a previous medical expenses insurance that are not older than 2 months (no more than 2 months may elapse between the end of the old insurance and the start of the new insurance).
Waiting times in occupational disability / disability insurance
In the occupational disability insurance line, there are no overarching waiting times that are based on a fixed date (start of insurance or similar). Instead, the insurance conditions contain an individual waiting period of usually 6 months through the definition of occupational or incapacity, as the occupational or incapacity for an effective claim must (probably) exist over this period. Apart from this generally usual six-month period, some companies offer individual options for the waiting time, which can extend to up to 24 months.
Waiting times in legal protection insurance
With regard to the regulations on waiting times, the insurance division of legal protection insurance offers a heterogeneous picture. Some areas - such as criminal or traffic law - are excluded from waiting time regulations by the companies. In the:
- Employment Law
- Tax law
- Social law
- Contract law
- Tenancy law
As a rule, a waiting period of three months applies. However, the insurers provide options for shortening waiting times in legal protection - for example through previous insurance periods.
Waiting times in the animal health / operating theater cost insurance
In the area of animal health and surgery cost insurance (for animals), waiting time regulations are individually designed by the companies. The extent of the performance-free period varies on the one hand with the insured animal and the causal dangers. Tariffs for dogs and cats often include waiting times between 30 days and 3 months. Animal health and surgery cost insurance for horses, on the other hand, can include a waiting period extension of up to 12 months for some diagnoses.
