Cover start

When your group income protection membership or benefit cover began.

This is

Date on policy schedule, member certificate , or HR benefits confirmation
Used for pre-existing condition and eligibility arguments
May differ from employment start date

This is not

The same as symptom onset or Date of Absence
Automatically the day you joined the employer
Proof that a claim must be accepted

Policy angle — Commencement of cover clauses often require you to be actively at work. Insurers use this date for look-back and pre-existing exclusion s.

ClaimBuddy resources

Cross-links to Clinical Atlas, glossary, traps, and policy terms — hover for a quick summary.

Pre-existing condition Pre-existing trap Glossary Policy traps Policy terms

Evidence

Policy schedule, member certificate , HR benefits pack, employer confirmation

Often mixed with

Cover from 1 Mar 2022 on schedule — insurer may argue symptoms before that date are pre-existing.