Normal policy is from 30 upto 90 days before you can make a claim. A lot of companies are only offering protection with new mortgages being taken out. However, the wife says she has seen advertisements in The Sun newspaper where the Halifax and The Post Office have been offering protection policies. I would try www.gocompare.com for price comparison because I reckon you will be paying over the odds for this type of cover in the present climate though. Best of luck with your job.
{just checked www.moneysupermarket.com/insurance they do it on there}