Information about Irish Life Health Waiting Periods


A waiting period is the length of time you need to have health insurance before you can make a claim.

There are three different types of waiting periods:

  • Initial waiting period - this applies when you take out health insurance for the first time or when you take out health insurance after your health insurance has lapsed for 13 weeks or more.
  • Pre-existing condition waiting period - Where you make a claim that relates to a pre-existing condition, a pre-existing condition waiting period will apply. Pre-existing condition is descibed above.
  • Upgrade waiting period - this applies when you upgrade your cover, i.e. purchase a plan with more comprehensive cover than your previous plan.


Depending on when you took out your health isnurance with Irish Life Health, different waiting periods apply.