My new employer's insurer is asking for a certificate of continuity — what is it?

A certificate of continuity (COC) is a short letter from your previous health insurer confirming that you were covered under their policy, for what period, and without a break. New insurers ask for it because of how medical underwriting works: without proof of continuous cover, they are entitled to treat you as a brand-new member and apply fresh waiting periods or exclusions, particularly for pre-existing conditions. With a COC, those restrictions are typically carried over as already served, so your cover continues seamlessly. It is a routine document — insurers issue them constantly when people change jobs — and your old insurer should provide it on request even though you are no longer their customer; it relates to the period when you were. One wrinkle with employer group policies: the policyholder was technically your former employer, so the insurer may ask that the request come through them, though many will deal with the insured member directly if you provide the policy number, your Emirates ID and your coverage dates. Put the request in writing, keep the email trail, and pass the certificate to the new insurer before your policy is finalised. If the old insurer stonewalls, an insurance-savvy lawyer can push the request through formal channels.