Should I Buy Health Insurance Before Marriage?

There's no rule requiring health insurance before marriage, but there are good practical reasons to have it in place beforehand rather than treating marriage as the trigger to start.

Why buying before marriage helps

• You start your individual waiting period clock earlier — by the time you need maternity cover or want to combine into a family floater, more of the waiting period is already served.
• You lock in a younger-age premium and pre-marriage health status, which is typically more favourable underwriting.
• It's one less thing to organise amid the many financial decisions marriage brings.

What to do if you're getting married soon and don't have cover yet

• Buy an individual policy now rather than waiting for the wedding to pass — you lose nothing by having it a few months early.
• Discuss combining into a family floater with your spouse after marriage, comparing cost and waiting-period implications for both of you.
• If maternity is a near-term goal, check the specific maternity waiting period (commonly 2-4 years) and factor that timeline into your decision now.

Frequently asked questions