How Do I Switch My Health Insurance?

The annual switching deadline

You can switch your KVG health insurer once per year. The deadline to cancel your current policy is 30 November for changes effective 1 January of the following year. Your cancellation letter must reach your current insurer by this date — not just be postmarked.

This deadline applies to the basic KVG insurance. Supplementary insurance (VVG) has its own rules and may have different cancellation periods — check your specific policy.

No health check for KVG

Every KVG insurer in Switzerland must accept you, regardless of your age, health condition, or pre-existing conditions. This is guaranteed acceptance (Aufnahmepflicht). You cannot be rejected, and no health questionnaire is required for basic insurance.

This is fundamentally different from supplementary insurance (VVG), where insurers can ask health questions, impose exclusions, or reject your application entirely.

How to compare insurers

Before switching, compare premiums using the official BAG tool at priminfo.admin.ch. Enter your canton, municipality, age, and desired franchise to see all available premiums. You can also compare insurance models — choosing a Hausarzt or Telmed model instead of the standard model can significantly reduce your premium.

Steps to switch

1. Compare premiums — use Priminfo or an independent comparison site
2. Choose your new insurer — select your preferred insurer, model, and franchise
3. Apply with the new insurer — submit your application (online or by post)
4. Receive confirmation — the new insurer sends you a confirmation of coverage
5. Cancel old policy — in most cases, the new insurer handles the cancellation for you. If you cancel yourself, send a registered letter (Einschreiben) before 30 November

Mid-year switching

Mid-year switching is only possible in limited circumstances. If your cantonal premiums change mid-year (rare), you may have an additional switching window. Otherwise, you must wait until the next annual deadline.

Supplementary insurance: different rules

Supplementary insurance (VVG/LCA) is not subject to the same guaranteed-acceptance rules as KVG. If you switch your basic insurance, your supplementary insurance does not automatically follow. Key differences:

• The new VVG insurer can require a health questionnaire
• They can reject your application or impose exclusions for pre-existing conditions
• Cancellation deadlines may differ (often 3 or 6 months)
• You can keep your VVG with one insurer and have KVG with another

Common mistake: double insurance

If you apply with a new insurer but forget to cancel your old policy (or the cancellation does not arrive in time), you may end up insured with two companies. In this case, you will be charged two premiums for January. Contact both insurers immediately to resolve the situation. Keep copies of all correspondence.

Common mistake: missing the deadline

If your cancellation arrives after 30 November, your current insurer is not obligated to release you. You will stay with them for another year. To avoid this, send your cancellation early (mid-November at the latest) and use registered mail for proof of delivery.