Switching health insurers: Terminate basic insurance on time

Every October, health insurers communicate their premiums for the following year. If your basic health insurance is too expensive, it’s worth terminating your contract and switching to another health insurer.

All basic health insurance offers the same benefits, but the insurers themselves set the amount of the premiums. By regularly comparing different offers and switching health insurers, you can save a lot of money. In this blog, you’ll find out how to terminate your basic health insurance and what deadlines you need to observe.

Terminate and switch health insurers on time

You can terminate or switch your health insurance every year . However, certain notice periods must be observed to ensure that the switch runs smoothly:

• The ordinary notice period for mandatory basic health insurance is November 30, or – if it falls on a weekend or a public holiday – the last working day in November.
• If you have chosen the standard model of basic health insurance (choose your own doctor) with the lowest deductible  of 300 francs, you can also switch your health insurer with a period of notice of three months to  July 1. The notice of termination must reach the health insurer by the last business day in March .

In the rare event that the basic health insurance premiums change during the course of the year, a special right of termination applies. You can then switch health insurers during the year.

How to meet the deadline

For your termination to be legally binding, it is essential that you comply with the notice period. The decisive factor here is the date on which the health insurer receives the notice of termination – not the postmark. Many health insurers accept termination by email. However, the safest route is still by post. The following general rule applies: Carry out the termination well in advance.

We recommend that you send the notice of termination as a registered letter. This way, if in doubt, you can prove that the notice of termination was delivered on time. If there is insufficient time, you can take the notice of termination personally to your insurer and have it confirmed.

Terminate supplemental insurance

Your notice periods for supplemental insurance depend on your provider. They are different from the deadlines for basic health insurance. As a rule, a deadline of three months to the end of the year applies. Notice of termination must be received by September 30 or the last business day in September. Ask your insurance provider for the exact deadlines.

How do I terminate and switch my health insurance?

• Step 1: Compare premiums, deductibles and plans from different health insurers. With the free health insurance comparison from AXA , you only need a few clicks.
• Step 2: Select the quotation that best suits your needs and take out your new basic health insurance.  
• Step 3: Terminate your current basic health insurance in writing by the given deadline.

Can I terminate my health insurance before I find a new one?

Registration with your new basic health insurer at the beginning of the year must take place by December 31 . This makes it possible to terminate your health insurance before you have submitted an application to the new insurer. However, it should be noted that the switch is only valid after the new insurer has officially accepted you. If this is not done by the end of the year, you will continue to be insured with your old health insurer.

To ensure this runs smoothly, we recommend that you take out new basic health insurance and then terminate your current health insurer.

How do I change my insurance plan or deductible?

Would you like to stay with your basic health insurance, but switch your insurance plan in order to save on health insurance premiums? Or because it no longer meets your needs? This, like the termination of basic health insurance, is possible until November 30. The notification must be made in writing. 

Changing your deductible is also not a problem. If you want a lower deductible, the same reference date applies: November 30. For a higher deductible, your insurer must receive written notification by December 31.

You can find more information on the various insurance plans and deductibles in our blog article on the Healthcare system in Switzerland .