Health Insurance Looking for a better policy, how long can I break my cover without incurring waiting periods?

[BrokeBroker]

After a 33% hike on my Laya Signify plan, I requested a cancellation (was in the cooling off period following a 1st of March annual renewal), and was made aware I have 13 weeks before incurring the pre-existing condition waiting period, before taking out a new plan.

In relation to "continuous coverage", is that also typically broken when there's a small break in cover, upon renewing?

Response from Laya:

If you rejoin laya healthcare or transfer your cover to/from another recognised Irish insurer within 13 weeks of cancelling your insurance you can avail of continuous cover. This means any waiting periods you have already served you will not be liable to serve again. However, if you break cover for longer than 13 weeks, waiting periods will apply.

We wish to advise you that if cover is broken for a period of longer than 13 weeks you may be affected by the Lifetime Community Rating loadings on rejoining.

Is this correct?

In other words, I have 13 weeks of grace before taking out a new plan, and there's no subsequent waiting periods?

 

[ClubMan]

Is this correct?

In other words, I have 13 weeks of grace before taking out a new plan, and there's no subsequent waiting periods?

Yes, that's correct. Unless you have to serve a waiting period for new/enhanced cover that you upgrade to which would be the case regardless of any < 13 gap in cover.

Waiting periods

When you take out health insurance for the first time, or it has been more than 13 weeks since you last held private health insurance, you may have to serve waiting periods before you are fully covered, but accident and injury will be covered immediately.

www.hia.ie