30-day grace period to pay premium on health insurance renewal?

[david_je]

Is it correct that I have 30 days after the annual renewal date (expiry of previous year's coverage) to pay the premium for renewal?

I have April (France) policy.

Asking because would like more time to consider any changes in policy.

Thanks.

[scubascuba3]

Check the policy doc

[Liverpool Lou]

What did April tell you when you asked them, you know, the only ones that can reliably give you the answer?

[david_je]

6 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What did April tell you when you asked them, you know, the only ones that can reliably give you the answer?

Could not find in policy doc, and still have not received reply from April, so asking here in case anyone has experience with this.

Thanks.

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, david_je said:

Could not find in policy doc, and still have not received reply from April, so asking here in case anyone has experience with this.

Thanks.

Usually with insurance products once it lapses it's game over

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

Without confirmation on this matter directly from April, If your policy is silent on this then you should assume that your coverage will lapse on the expiry date. You would then have to start over making a fresh declaration on order to get a new policy.

 

If you have developed a medical condition during the period of the expiring policy or earlier iterations of it, then it will become a pre-existing condition and likely excluded from cover under the new policy.

 

 

Edited May 9 by Etaoin Shrdlu

[newbee2022]

On 5/8/2024 at 9:48 AM, david_je said:

Is it correct that I have 30 days after the annual renewal date (expiry of previous year's coverage) to pay the premium for renewal?

I have April (France) policy.

Asking because would like more time to consider any changes in policy.

Thanks.

No payment - no cover

[topt]

On 5/8/2024 at 11:39 AM, david_je said:

Could not find in policy doc, and still have not received reply from April, so asking here in case anyone has experience with this.

Thanks.

This is from the My Health general Conditions in 2022 so may have changed -

Quote

5.3. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PREMIUM IS NOT PAID? If the Premium remains unpaid 60 days after its due date, We will serve the Member with formal notice of suspension of cover. The plan will then be suspended. Following a further period of 10 days, We will terminate the plan as of right. We may also take legal action to secure payment of any unpaid Premiums. Once formal notice has been served for non-payment, the Premium due for the entire year is immediately payable under the French Insurance Code. Please note that failure to pay the Premium and the termination of the plan do not cancel the debt. We will take appropriate action to obtain payment of the outstanding Premium and will have recourse to a debt recovery firm specialising in international debts. The Member is liable for any administration charges incurred as a result of any action taken by us or by our service providers. If the amount stated in the letter of formal notice is paid after suspension of the plan but before termination, the plan will be revived at noon on the day following payment of the Premium. No expenses incurred during the period of suspension of cover will be reimbursed under the plan, even once the Premium has been paid.

 

[Celsius]

I can confirm that most of the annual insurance policies do have a 30 day grace period to make a payment.

[topt]

On 5/8/2024 at 11:39 AM, david_je said:

and still have not received reply from April,

Yes they can take a while to respond.

 

However if you are an existing policy member have you not signed up for online access here -

https://expat.april-international.com/members/login.jsf

 

This should contain documents with your current ts and cs............

[david_je]

1 hour ago, topt said:

This is from the My Health general Conditions in 2022 so may have changed -

 

Thanks very much. I now see the General Conditions 2024 and that section remains the same. I do have online customer access but for some reason that document is not in there.

Broker has just told me it is 30 days, but this document says 60.

 

[david_je]

1 hour ago, Celsius said:

I can confirm that most of the annual insurance policies do have a 30 day grace period to make a payment.

Yes, thanks. Broker says same.

[Andycoops]

On 5/8/2024 at 12:40 PM, scubascuba3 said:

Usually with insurance products once it lapses it's game over

Not entirely true.

I asked my company if I could delay payment by 6 days and they agreed.

I had always paid on time before that and have been a customer for years so perhaps that helped.

[scubascuba3]

3 hours ago, Andycoops said:

Not entirely true.

I asked my company if I could delay payment by 6 days and they agreed.

I had always paid on time before that and have been a customer for years so perhaps that helped.

If you make a claim after the policy lapses I wouldn't be confident the company would pay out