How to Terminate a Swiss Supplementary Health Insurance

Terminating a supplemental health insurance can be more complicated than terminating mandatory health insurance because the terms and conditions vary between insurance providers.

This moneyland.ch guide explains what you should pay attention to when terminating supplementary health insurance. 

• Check the minimum contract term

Supplemental health insurance differs from basic health insurance in the way a policy can be terminated. Normally, supplemental insurance policies come with a one-year term. Some insurance providers offer multiple-year contracts, in some cases with a discount compared to annual contracts.

You can still send in notice that you want to terminate your insurance even if the remaining contract term is longer one year. In that case, the insurance will be terminated at the end of the required contract term.

• Check the required notice period

Most Swiss insurance providers let you terminate a supplemental health insurance at the end of each calendar year by giving notice at least three months before, at the latest. Some insurers, like Agrisano and Galenos, let you terminate your insurance either at the end of June or the end of December, with three months notice. If you do not send in your notice of termination on time, the policy will normally be automatically extended for an additional year.

• Write a letter of termination

Most insurance providers require you to submit a signed letter stating that you want to terminate your supplemental health insurance. You also normally have the option of giving notice at one of your insurance provider's branch offices. A few insurers give you the option of terminating your supplemental insurance online.

In addition to your name and address, you should also state your customer identification number.

Make sure to state the exact policy number of the insurance policy that you want to terminate. That eliminates the risk of confusion with other insurance policies that you do not want to terminate.

Specify the exact date on which you want the insurance to be terminated. This will normally be December 31.

Do not forget to date the letter.

• Submit your letter of notice

Sending your letter of notice by registered mail at least one week before the minimum required notice period expires will ensure that the health insurance company gets the letter on time, in spite of possible holidays or weekends.

Early termination when premiums go up

Special notice periods apply in the event of a premium hike.

If your health insurance provider plans to raise premiums at the beginning of a calendar year, you will have the right to terminate your policy ahead of schedule. Some insurers allow you to terminate your policy in writing right up until the end of the year. Others expect termination notices to be submitted by the end of November or even as early as one month after the premium hike is announced.

It is also possible to terminate a contract ahead of time when your age causes you to be bumped up into a higher premium bracket.

However, an early termination is not possible in the event of premium changes caused by a change of address or claim-free discounts.

When you have more than one supplemental health insurance policy from the same insurance company (dental insurance and additional hospital insurance, for example), rules as to which policies you can terminate ahead of schedule will vary between insurers. Some insurers will only let you terminated the policies which are affected by premium changes, while others will let you terminated all your policies.

Early termination when you make a claim

When you make a claim, you will have the opportunity to terminate your policy until you receive the benefit. But note that doing this can make it difficult for you to find a new insurer that will take you on.

If the claim is made during your first year as a policyholder, you may be required to continue paying premiums until the end of the first year.

Termination notice periods by health insurance provider

Supplemental health insurance policies with a termination notice period of 3 months ahead of the end of the calendar year (notice must be given by the end of September): Agrisano, Aquilana, Atupri, Concordia, CSS, EGK, Galenos (additional termination opportunity at the end of June), Helsana, Klug, KPT, ÖKK, Rhenusana, Sanitas, Sodalis, Swica, Visana, Sympany.

Supplemental health insurance policies with a termination notice period of 6 months ahead of the end of the calendar year (notice must be given by the end of June): Assura, Groupe Mutuel.

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