Despite higher premiums, only 6% switch car insurance
45% of car owners with car insurance have received a premium increase. Despite the high savings potential, however, only 6% have changed their insurance.
10.03.2026
iStock/Thai Noipho
1. Premium shock 2026: Almost half pay more for their car insurance
According to a representative survey by Comparis, 45% of policyholders will pay more for their car insurance in 2026 than in 2025. More than a third of them will even pay over 100 francs more.
This also shows a regional difference: in French-speaking Switzerland, more insured persons had to accept a premium increase of more than 200 francs than in German-speaking Switzerland.
According to Comparis finance expert Harry Büsser the premium increases are usually not due to factors of their own fault. 80% of respondents stated that they had not had a claim in the past year. Nevertheless, almost one in two insured persons received a premium increase from their insurance company.
The representative survey was carried out by the market research institute Innofact on behalf of Comparis in January 2026 among 1,026 car owners in all regions of Switzerland who have taken out car insurance.
Representative means that the participants in a survey reflect the entire target group well. Important characteristics such as age, gender or region of residence are distributed similarly to the entire population. This makes it easier to apply the results to everyone.
2. Very few have changed their insurance
Although almost half of the insured have received a premium increase, only about 6% switched insurer. More than half of those who switched saved at least 200 francs.
Loyalty is nice, but rarely a savings model when it comes to insurance. Competition only works if consumers regularly check whether the price-performance ratio is still right. Policyholders who do not are likely to pay unnecessarily high premiums.
There are also large differences in premiums between policyholders. Most people pay between 500 and 1,200 francs per year. However, a third pay more than 1,200 francs. Only 8% of respondents pay less than 500 francs in car insurance premiums per year.
Switch car insurance and save money
By switching car insurance, you can save – sometimes over 200 francs per year. It’s worth comparing.
3. Right to cancel in the event of a premium increase
If your premium increases you have a special right of termination. However, almost a third of respondents are unaware of this.
If you don’t know about your special right to cancel, you’ll stay with the same insurance company. This prevents competition between insurers from fully developing.
Also, when it comes to the choice of garage many policyholders opt for the more expensive option: 44% go to a branded or contracted garage for repairs. Repairs there are often more expensive than in an independent garage. At least 43% of respondents visit these.
According to Comparis finance expert Harry Büsser, the right choice of garage depends on the age of the car: «During the warranty period, the brand-name garage makes sense. After that, independent garages are often cheaper – with comparable quality.»
Comparis tip: compare car insurance and check whether the inclusion of free choice of garage leads to an increase in the car insurance premium.
This article was first published on 10.03.2026
