When an insured has the same disability covered without a new waiting period, what is this known as?

When an insured has the same disability covered without a new waiting period, this scenario is referred to as recurrent disability. Recurrent disability benefits allow the insured to resume receiving benefits for a disability that was previously covered without having to satisfy a new waiting period, provided that the subsequent occurrence arises within a specified time frame (as outlined in the policy).

This approach is beneficial for individuals whose disabilities may re-emerge or persist over time, allowing for continuity of benefits without the need for requalification. For instance, if an individual initially experiences a back injury and is covered for that disability, and later has a relapse of the same injury within a predetermined period, the insurance policy would typically allow them to access benefits without starting the waiting process over again.

Conversely, terms like concurrent disability, residual disability, and temporary disability refer to different scenarios within insurance coverage. Concurrent disability involves multiple disabilities occurring at the same time, residual disability relates to partial disability where the insured can still work but faces a loss of income, and temporary disability covers disabilities that are short-term in nature. Understanding these distinctions helps in assessing how various situations are handled within the framework of insurance policies.