Deductible (waiting) period
The deductible period is the time following a qualifying event (sick leave, hospitalization) during which a borrower-insurance policy pays no benefit, even if the claim is valid. The borrower remains solely responsible for loan repayments during this period; its length — commonly 15, 30, 60, or 90 days — varies by contract.
Key points
- The deductible period most often applies to temporary total incapacity and partial permanent disability guarantees.
- A longer deductible period generally results in a lower premium.
- A 90-day deductible may suit a civil servant whose salary is maintained during sick leave.
- Some contracts offer a zero-day deductible, providing stronger protection at a higher cost.
- A deductible period differs from a waiting period: a waiting period applies after subscription, a deductible after a claim.
Frequently asked questions
How should I choose the right deductible period for my situation?
The choice depends on your financial ability to absorb loan repayments during the uncovered period. If you have sufficient emergency savings or salary maintenance guaranteed by your employer (civil servants, large corporations), a longer deductible reduces the premium. Conversely, a self-employed borrower with no safety net will benefit from a shorter deductible.
What is the difference between a deductible period and an initial waiting period?
An initial waiting period runs from the moment the policy is subscribed: no claim is covered during this time, even if an event occurs. A deductible period kicks in after a recognized claim: the policy is active and the claim is valid, but benefits only begin once the deductible period has elapsed. Both mechanisms can appear in the same contract.
Why are zero-deductible contracts sometimes recommended despite their higher cost?
For borrowers with tight incomes or no emergency savings, the risk of failing to meet loan repayments for even 15 or 30 days can trigger bank penalties and damage their relationship with the lender. In this case, the extra cost of a zero-deductible policy is protection against an immediate financial risk that may outweigh the premium savings.
In practice
Julien, a self-employed nurse, deliberately opts for a 15-day deductible on his individual policy to keep his premium low. When he has an accident and is off work for three weeks, he covers the first loan repayment himself, then the insurance takes over all subsequent ones until he returns to work.
Official sources
- Borrower insurance: coverage and waiting period · Service-Public.gouv.fr
- Borrower insurance for a mortgage · Service-Public.gouv.fr
- Law of 28 February 2022 (Lemoine Act) · Vie-publique.fr