Which of the following can allow an insurer to delay a covered disability policy claim?

The elimination period is a specific duration of time that must pass following the onset of a disability before insurance benefits are payable. This period serves as a waiting time during which the insured must be disabled but is not yet eligible to receive benefits. The purpose of the elimination period is to, in effect, provide a shared risk of loss between the insured and insurer for short-term disabilities and also to reduce moral hazard by discouraging the claim of short-term or minor disabilities that are not truly disabling.

If a policy includes an elimination period of, say, 30 days, the insurer is not obligated to begin paying out benefits until after that period has expired. This can lead to a delay in the payment of claims, enabling the insurer to review the validity of the claim during this time and ensuring that they are only paying benefits to individuals who meet the criteria established in the policy.

The other periods mentioned have different functions. A probationary period serves as a time frame before coverage begins for certain conditions. A service waiting period typically relates to when the policyholder must be enrolled before coverage is effective or when particular benefits become available. A grace period allows policyholders to make premium payments without losing coverage. Each of these serves distinct purposes that do not directly relate to delaying