Scared Your Claim Will Be Rejected for Pre-Existing Disease? The '8-Year Moratorium Rule' That Makes Your Policy Bulletproof

🛡️ The "Golden Shield" Arrives Faster Now

Buying health insurance feels like an interrogation. "Do you smoke? Did you have surgery in 1995? Do you take pills?"

You are terrified that you might have forgotten to mention something minor, and that one day, when you need ₹5 Lakhs for heart surgery, the insurer will say: "Claim Rejected. Non-Disclosure of material fact."

Here is the massive update for 2026. Thanks to the landmark IRDAI reforms (effective April 2024), the waiting time for this protection has been slashed. Once you have paid premiums continuously for 5 years (previously 8 years), your policy enters the "Moratorium Period." After this, the insurer CANNOT reject your claim for non-disclosure or misrepresentation. Your policy becomes effectively bulletproof.

This rule was updated to stop insurance companies from digging up decades-old medical history to deny genuine claims of loyal customers. Five years of loyalty is now all it takes.

Scared Your Claim Will Be Rejected for Pre-Existing Disease?

What Does It Protect?

• Pre-Existing Diseases (PED)
  Even if you had a condition years ago and unintentionally didn't mention it, they generally cannot use it against you after 60 continuous months of coverage.
• Non-Disclosure of Habits
  If you failed to update them about a lifestyle change (like smoking) years ago, they cannot reject a claim based solely on that ground after the moratorium period.

The Only Exception ("Proven Fraud")

This is not a license to lie.

If the insurer can prove in a court of law that you committed deliberate fraud (e.g., you had cancer at the exact moment of buying the policy and actively forged documents to hide it), they can still reject the claim.
But "innocent mistakes," "forgotten history," or "non-disclosure" are forgiven.

Does "Porting" Reset the Clock?

NO! Your continuity benefits transfer with you.
If you port your policy from Insurer A (where you were for 3 years) to Insurer B, your "credit" transfers.
You only need to wait 2 more years with Insurer B to hit the 5-year mark.
Warning: If you let your policy lapse (stop paying premium and miss the grace period), the clock resets to zero. Never miss a renewal date.

🛡️ Chief Editor’s Verdict

Stick with one policy, or port without breaks.

1. Don't Switch Often: Every time you switch, there is a risk of data entry errors. Stability builds your "Moratorium" credit faster.
2. Be Honest Anyway: Even though this rule exists, always disclose everything when buying. Why rely on a safety net if you can just walk on solid ground?

Patience pays. 5 years to total peace of mind.

⚖️ Legal Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is based on the IRDAI (Protection of Policyholders’ Interests) Regulations, 2024. While the moratorium period protects against non-disclosure, it does not cover "Permanent Exclusions" listed in your policy or cases of proven fraud. Insurance claims are subject to the specific terms and conditions of your policy document. Always consult a licensed insurance advisor for personal guidance.