Basic health insurance
To cancel for 31 December, the termination letter (by registered post) must reach the current health insurance provider by 30 November or the last working day of November, respectively. This termination deadline applies irrespective of whether the new premium is higher, lower or remains the same.
To cancel for 30 June, the termination letter (by registered post) must reach the current health insurance provider by 31 March or the last working day of March, respectively. This applies only for policyholders with a deductible of 300 francs (children: 0 francs) and a standard basic insurance policy (no alternative insurance models such as HMO or Telmed). In all other cases, changing to a new insurance provider is possible only for the end of the calendar year.
Policyholders whose premiums are increasing mid-year must be informed by their insurance provider by the end of April. In this case, you have until the end of May to terminate the contract and switch to another insurance provider to commence on 1 July.
If you have a bonus insurance policy with your current provider:
You may cancel a bonus policy only 5 years after the start of the contract and for the end of a calendar year with three months' notice. Should premiums rise, the cancellation period is reduced to only one month, though the 5-year rule for contract length still applies.
Note: Outstanding monthly premiums may prevent you from being allowed to change insurance provider.
Click here for a prepared cancellation letter: Basic health insurance (Word)
Supplemental insurance
Cancellation periods if premiums rise:
All information regarding termination is stated in the insurance conditions (e.g. one month from notification of higher premiums or per year end). Termination is also possible in case of a premium increase due to entering a higher age group.
Cancellation periods for unchanged premiums:
The cancellation period and minimum term of contract for supplemental insurance vary depending on the health insurance provider. Please find a list of cancellation periods here.
Click here for a prepared cancellation letter: Supplemental insurance (Word).
Tips:
- Terminate your current supplemental insurance only after having received confirmation of acceptance without qualification from your new health insurance provider. Otherwise it is recommended to cancel only the basic insurance.
- Health insurance providers can place a temporary or permanent qualification on supplemental insurance if they consider an applicant's state of health to be an unfavourable risk. This means that the policyholder will not be covered for treatment for an illness addressed in the qualification.
- Answer the questions in the application form accurately and completely. Health insurance providers have the right to make retroactive qualifications if it is later determined that false or incomplete information was provided on the application form.
