Lowest Waiting Period for Maternity Insurance – Is It Worth the Extra Cost?

Planning for a baby is one of life’s most exciting milestones, but let’s be honest—it also comes with its fair share of financial worries. From prenatal care to delivery costs, expenses can quickly add up. That’s where maternity insurance steps in, offering a financial safety net to ease the burden.

However, here’s the catch: most maternity plans come with a waiting period, meaning you can’t claim benefits immediately. If you’re planning to expand your family soon, this can feel like a frustrating roadblock. But don’t worry—this guide will walk you through the best plans with the lowest waiting period for maternity insurance, so you can focus on what truly matters: welcoming your little bundle of joy.

The “best” plan can vary based on your individual needs, so it’s critical to do personal research or, better yet, speak to one of Ditto’s IRDAI-certified experts and get solid insurance advice. Book a call today to enjoy the ultimate policy buying experience.

Best Maternity Insurance Plans in 2025

Among these, Care Joy Plan and Niva Bupa Aspire stand out as they have the lowest waiting period for maternity insurance at just 9 months, making them ideal for couples planning a family soon.

What is Maternity Insurance?

Maternity insurance is a specialized health insurance policy designed to cover expenses related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. It typically includes:

• Prenatal check-ups
• Delivery costs (both normal and C-section)
• Postnatal care for both the mother and the newborn

Understanding the Waiting Period for Maternity Insurance

The waiting period refers to the time frame during which policyholders cannot file claims related to pregnancy and childbirth. It generally ranges from 3 months to 36 months, depending on the insurance provider and specific plan chosen.

Why Do Insurers Apply a Waiting Period?

Insurance providers implement a waiting period to prevent individuals from purchasing insurance solely when they are already pregnant, which could lead to significant claims shortly after policy initiation. This period allows insurers to manage financial risk and keep premiums more affordable for all policyholders.

Advantages of Maternity Health Insurance Plans

• Delivery Expenses Coverage: Covers costs for both normal and C-section deliveries, which typically range from ₹25,000 to ₹2 lakh.
• Vaccination Coverage: Some plans cover vaccinations for both mother and newborn post-delivery.
• Pre- and Post-Natal Care: Covers expenses like tests, medications, and follow-ups before and after childbirth.
• Newborn Coverage from Day 1: Many plans cover newborn hospitalization, which is crucial given rising medical costs for newborn care.
• Coverage for Pregnancy Complications: Includes coverage for complications like ectopic pregnancy or miscarriages, ensuring financial support during difficult times.

Disadvantages to Consider

• Sub-limits on Maternity Benefits: Most policies have a cap on maternity expenses, which might lead to out-of-pocket costs that make the concept of maternity health insurance seem a little moot.
• Waiting Periods: Most plans have a waiting period, ranging from 9 months to 3 years, which makes early planning crucial.
• Higher Premiums: Unlike normal health insurance claims, maternity insurance claims are guaranteed for the most part, making insurers more inclined to demand higher premiums. Then the question becomes, whether the additional premiums justify the coverage bandwidth for the maternity perks that you will use once or at most twice.  
• Lifetime Add-on Commitment:. On the one hand, if maternity is an in-built feature of your policy, you will continue paying the extra cost even after you have made a maternity claim. On the other, if it is an add-on, you will have to continue paying for the rider for a specified period before it can be renewed. This factor varies depending on the insurer.

To navigate these challenges, carefully compare plans, check sub-limits, and choose a policy that balances affordability and benefits.

Plans with the Lowest Waiting Period for Maternity Insurance

Now that you understand maternity health insurance and why waiting periods exist, it is important to mention the only type of maternity insurance that offers zero waiting periods.

Corporate Health Insurance

Corporate health insurance plans often include comprehensive maternity benefits that provide immediate financial relief to employees. Unlike personal plans, which typically impose waiting periods ranging from 9 months to several years, corporate health insurance policies generally offer zero waiting periods for maternity claims. This means that employees can access coverage for pregnancy-related expenses, including prenatal care, delivery costs, and newborn care, right from the start of their policy.

With that in mind, let us now delve deeper into the plans with the lowest waiting period for maternity insurance:

1. Niva Bupa Aspire Titanium+
   
   The Niva Bupa Aspire Titanium+ plan has a relatively short waiting period of just 9 months, which is significantly lower compared to many other maternity insurance options. A standout feature of the plan is its M-iracle benefit, which not only covers maternity expenses but includes provisions for assisted reproductive technologies like IVF and surrogacy. This feature allows families facing fertility challenges to access necessary treatments without incurring prohibitive costs. In addition, the plan supports cashless hospitalizations at over 10,000 network hospitals across India, simplifying the process for new parents during what can be a stressful time.
2. Care Joy
   
   The Care Joy Plan offers two variants, Joy Today and Joy Tomorrow, with maternity coverage limits based on the sum insured. For a ₹3 lakh sum insured, maternity expenses are covered up to ₹35,000, while for a ₹5 lakh sum insured, coverage extends to ₹50,000. A key advantage of the plan is its waiting period flexibility.  Joy Today has a short waiting period of 9 months, whereas Joy Tomorrow requires a longer waiting period of 24 months. However, the policy has certain limitations like its mandatory co-payment of 20% for policyholders aged 61 years or above and sub-limits on maternity expenses that may not fully cover high-end procedures. Another catch is that you have to purchase a policy for three years and pay for it to enjoy the shorter, 9-month waiting period. Regardless of these caveats, the plan offers cashless hospitalization at over 11,400+ network hospitals and remains a practical option for families seeking affordable maternity coverage with flexible waiting periods.
   
   Did you Know? Care Insurance also offers the Care Plus Plan, which comes with a 24-month waiting period. This policy provides newborn baby coverage for up to 90 days post-birth, including congenital disease care alongside the standard maternity benefits. Its sum insured options range from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh, but has certain limitations such as voluntary terminations and pre-existing conditions within the first 36 months.
3. Aditya Birla Activ Fit Preferred
   
   The Aditya Birla Activ Fit Preferred plan comes with a waiting period of 24 months, which means that policyholders must wait two years after purchasing the policy before they can claim maternity benefits. However, once eligible, the coverage is robust. Notably, the Activ Fit Preferred plan allows for claims related to up to two pregnancy events in a lifetime, which can include both deliveries and terminations. Furthermore, it offers cashless hospitalization at over 12,000+ network hospitals across India, making it convenient for families to access medical care without the stress of upfront payments.
   
   While the plan is comprehensive, it's important to note that it also has certain exclusions and sub-limits on specific expenses. For instance, while it covers a wide range of maternity-related costs, there may be caps on the amount reimbursed for certain procedures or treatments.
   
   Quick Note: Aditya Birla also offers a specialized maternity cover through its Health Booster rider, which provides a sum insured of ₹50,000 with four optional waiting periods, from zero days to 9 months. There are some caveats, however, as the rider can only be opted alongside a 3-year tenure base policy at the time of inception, and only covers one pregnancy or medically necessary termination during the plan’s lifetime. This add-on is not available via all channels/insurance aggregators.
4. ICICI Lombard Elevate
   
   The ICICI Lombard Elevate plan’s maternity waiting period ranges from 1 to 2 years, depending on whether policyholders opt for the waiting period reduction add-on. One of its standout features is the inclusion of surrogate mother and oocyte donor expenses, capped at ₹5 lakhs. This provides financial assistance for families exploring assisted reproductive technologies. The policy also allows cashless hospitalization at over 10,200 network hospitals, simplifying access to quality healthcare. On the downside, the Elevate plan’s maternity coverage is capped at 10% of the base sum insured, up to ₹1 lakh. This sub-limit may require policyholders to make out of pocket payments for high-end procedures or treatments.
5. Star Super Star
   
   The Star Super Star Plan offers maternity coverage for both normal and cesarean deliveries, along with pre- and post-natal care. Its maternity benefits come with a waiting period of 24 months, which means policyholders must plan well in advance to utilize this feature. In addition to delivery expenses, the plan covers newborn care, including vaccinations and treatment for congenital conditions. Another notable feature is the absence of sub-limits or caps on room rent, allowing policyholders to access quality healthcare without worrying about additional charges. The plan also includes cashless hospitalization at over 14,000 network hospitals across India, simplifying the process for expectant parents.
6. Tata AIG Medicare Premier 
   
   The Tata AIG Medicare Premier plan offers maternity coverage with a waiting period of 36 months, making it suitable for those planning well in advance. The policy covers maternity-related expenses up to ₹50,000, which can be extended to ₹60,000 if a girl child is born. Coverage includes delivery costs, both normal and cesarean, along with medical expenses for complications arising during delivery. A unique feature of this plan is its coverage for first-year vaccinations for the newborn, provided the child is insured under the policy. Additionally, it offers financial assistance for medically necessary treatment of delivery complications. There is a catch though, and it is that these maternity benefits are available only under the family floater option, requiring both spouses to be enrolled in the same policy. Above all, policyholders can reap these benefits through cashless hospitalization at over 11,000 network hospitals.

Why Should You Approach Ditto for Your Health Insurance Plan?

At Ditto, we’ve assisted over 3,00,000 customers with choosing the right healthcare insurance policy. Why customers like Ankit below love us:

Conclusion

Choosing the right maternity insurance plan is a crucial step toward financial preparedness during pregnancy. With options like Niva Bupa Aspire, Aditya Birla’s Health Booster add-on, and the Care Joy Plan offering the lowest waiting period for maternity insurance, you can secure coverage that aligns with your family planning timeline.

The best time to invest in the best maternity health insurance is before pregnancy; this ensures coverage when you need it most. So, start planning early and enjoy the journey to parenthood with peace of mind and financial security.

Need help deciding? Book a call with Ditto today!