During which period are sickness benefits not paid at policy issuance?

• A. Elimination Period
• B. Recurrent Disability
• C. Probationary Period
• D. COLA Rider

Answer: (C)

Probationary period is the initial waiting window after a policy is issued during which sickness benefits are not payable. This protects the insurer from immediate claims for conditions that exist when coverage begins and ensures that premium payments are up to date. It’s different from the elimination period, which is the waiting time after a disability actually occurs before benefits start; recurrent disability concerns a relapse of disability within a certain timeframe and doesn’t set the initial waiting period; and a COLA rider is about adjusting benefits for inflation, not about when benefits begin.