Pre-existing condition waiting periods — NZ health insurance
A pre-existing condition is one you had symptoms, treatment, or advice for before joining the policy. NZ insurers either underwrite at application (permanent exclusion or loading), or use a moratorium — cover unlocks after a stated stand-down (typically 3 years symptom-free).
Ranked shortest → longest
| Product | Insurer | Pre-existing condition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmartCare | Accuro | No waiting period | Current · PDF ↗ |
| SmartStay | Accuro | No waiting period | Current · PDF ↗ |
| AA Private Hospital Cover | AA Health | 3 years | 2 years old · PDF ↗ |
| AA Private Hospital + Specialist Cover | AA Health | 3 years | Current · PDF ↗ |
| UltraCare | Southern Cross | 3 years | Current · PDF ↗ |
18 products where this waiting period is not on file
- Easy Health (nib) — see source wording
- AA Health Everyday Cover (AA Health) — see source wording
- Health Positive (UniMed) — see source wording
- Hospital Select (UniMed) — see source wording
- KidSmart (Accuro) — see source wording
- KiwiCare (Southern Cross) — see source wording
- ParentStay (UniMed) — see source wording
- AIA Private Health (AIA) — see source wording
- RegularCare (Southern Cross) — see source wording
- SmartCare+ (Accuro) — see source wording
- StaffCare (Accuro) — see source wording
- StaffCare+ (Accuro) — see source wording
- Ultimate Health (nib) — see source wording
- Ultimate Health Max (nib) — see source wording
- UniCare Advantage (UniMed) — see source wording
- Wellbeing Modules (Southern Cross) — see source wording
- Wellbeing One (Southern Cross) — see source wording
- Wellbeing Two (Southern Cross) — see source wording