What is the typical deferred period for a weekly sickness benefit under a personal sickness policy?

The typical deferred period for a weekly sickness benefit under a personal sickness policy is often around four weeks. This period, also known as the waiting period, is the time that an insured individual must wait after a claim is made before benefits become payable. A four-week deferred period strikes a balance between providing timely support to policyholders while also managing the risk for insurers.

A shorter deferred period might lead to increased claims frequency and costs for insurers, while longer periods might not provide the immediacy of support that policyholders need following a serious illness or injury. This is why four weeks is commonly adopted in many personal sickness policies, aligning with standard practice in the insurance industry.