Save on health insurance premiums: your savings potential
Health insurance premiums can be expensive. Comparis provides tips on how to save on your health insurance.
08.10.2024
iStock/AndreyPopov
Around 0.4 million people could save at least 40% on their health insurance in 2025. The maximum savings potential according to an analysis by Comparis (available in German only) is over 3,500 francs.
You can save on your premiums by:
Switching to a cheaper health insurer in your region
Increasing your deductible
Changing the insurance model with your health insurer
Potential savings over 10 years
A comparison by Comparis (available in German only) shows an adult can save the equivalent value of a small car in 10 years by changing their health insurance policy.
Imagine you changed your health insurer in January 2014 and adjusted your insurance model and deductible from the most expensive to the cheapest options available. Even without further changes in the following years, you’ll have been able to save over 35,000 francs by the end of 2024, depending on the region.
The savings potential is the amount of money an insured person can save in a premium year by switching insurers. It’s the difference between the annual premiums of your current insurer and the annual premiums of the cheaper insurer.
Are you new to Switzerland or are you comparing premiums for a newborn? The savings potential in these cases lies in the difference between the most expensive and the cheapest premiums.
2. Save on health insurance premiums with the right insurance model
With alternative insurance models, your premiums can be up to 25% lower. Alternative insurance models include:
Mixed models
Use our health insurance comparison tool to discover which model fits your needs.
3. Save on health insurance by increasing your deductible
The higher your deductible, the lower your premiums. Adults with a maximum deductible of 2,500 francs can save up to 1,540 francs per year. In the case of children up to the age of 18, savings of up to 420 francs per year are possible by choosing the maximum deductible (600 francs).
Good to know: the maximum discount for higher deductibles is specified by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). This is regardless of your health insurer.
If you have a high deductible, you must contribute more to the cost of a treatment. Instead of paying a maximum of 1,000 francs, in the worst case you may have to pay 3,200 francs for the deductible and the coinsurance. Check whether you could afford higher costs in an emergency, such as a serious illness.
Important: check which deductible makes sense for you before changing. This depends on your expected healthcare costs.
Generally speaking, for healthcare costs over 2,000 francs, the lowest deductible of 300 francs is worthwhile. With lower annual costs, the highest deductible of 2,500 francs makes sense.
4. Switch basic insurance
You can take out basic and supplemental insurance with different health insurers. The benefits covered by basic insurance are clearly defined and are the same for all health insurers. Switching to a cheaper health insurer is therefore a good idea.
Comparis tip: are you planning to move house in the first half of the new year? Then check the premiums for your new residence. Otherwise, you might pay a higher premium for most of the year.
5. Take out health insurance without accident cover
Do you work for the same employer at least eight hours a week? If so, you are automatically insured against accidents as defined by the Swiss Accident Insurance Act. This means you can exclude accident insurance from your health insurance. Depending on the health insurer, this can save you up to 10% on your premiums.
You must notify your health insurer as soon as you are no longer covered for accidents by your employer. You will then take out accident insurance as defined by the Health Insurance Act again. As a result, your basic insurance premiums will increase.
6. Get family discounts from your health insurer
In basic insurance, you receive a discount from the second or third insured child onwards, depending on the provider. However, not all health insurers offer a family discount for basic insurance.
Some supplemental insurance policies offer a family discount from the first child. In this case, it can be worthwhile to insure parents and children with the same insurance company.
7. Save on supplemental insurance
Find out which supplemental insurance options you need and use. Cancel insurance policies where you take advantage of fewer benefits than the amount of the annual premium.
Many insurance companies offer company, association, club or communal discounts for supplemental health insurance. Check your memberships and compare deals.
Do you have supplemental hospital insurance? Flex products may be worthwhile here. With these products, you agree to contribute to the upgrade costs for a hospital stay in a semi-private or private ward. This means you pay lower premiums and save several times the annual maximum out-of-pocket expenses for upgrades over the years.
8. Suspend your health insurance
It’s possible to suspend your health insurance under certain conditions. For example, you may put your basic insurance on hold during military service. Some supplemental insurance products can also be suspended if you go on a round-the-world trip, for example.
9. Apply for an individual premium reduction
In some cases, people on low incomes can benefit from premium reductions. To be eligible, your annual taxable income must be below a certain amount.
The cantons pay the remainder of your reduced premiums directly to your health insurer. The health insurer will then deduct the premium reduction from your premiums. If you have already paid premiums before the payout, you will receive a refund from your health insurer.
Problems paying health insurance premiums
Can you pay your health insurance premiums comfortably? In Switzerland, 14.1% of people struggle with their monthly payments. This is shown by a recent Comparis survey on personal finances (available in German only). 13.4% of the respondents have recurring difficulties finding the money for their premiums.
10. Pay your health insurance premiums annually
Some health insurers offer a discount if you pay your premiums once or twice a year instead of monthly. Check with your health insurer what discounts they offer for advance payment of health insurance premiums.
This article was first published on 07.11.2022
