What is basic insurance?
Basic insurance under the Health Insurance Act (KVG) is mandatory for everyone resident in Switzerland. It covers essential medical care – such as visits to the doctor, hospital stays in your canton of residence, medication and maternity.
The key point: the catalogue of benefits is prescribed by law and identical at every health insurer. Whether you are insured with one insurer or another makes no difference to the cover provided by basic insurance. What does differ is the premium. That is exactly why the premium is the most important lever – a comparison is almost always worthwhile.
How do I save on basic insurance?
With the statutory benefits identical, there are three levers you can use to lower your premium:
Switch insurer
Choose the cheapest insurer for your region – with identical basic cover. Switching is usually possible at the end of the year.
Choose a model
With a family doctor, HMO, telemedicine or pharmacy model instead of free choice of doctor, your premium drops noticeably.
Adjust your deductible
A higher annual deductible reduces your premium. Particularly worthwhile for people who rarely visit the doctor.
The insurance models explained
The model determines who you turn to first when you are ill. Alternative models to the standard one are cheaper, but slightly restrict your free choice of doctor.
Standard (free choice of doctor)
You are free to choose which doctor you see. This is the most flexible model – and usually the most expensive.
Family-doctor model
When you are ill, you first see your designated family doctor, who refers you on if necessary. In return you receive a premium discount.
HMO (group practice)
Your first port of call is a group practice (Health Maintenance Organization). Usually one of the cheapest models.
Telemedicine model (phone first)
Before visiting a doctor, you call a medical telephone advice line, which discusses the next steps with you. Convenient and easy on your premium.
Pharmacy model
Your first port of call is a participating pharmacy. This model also lowers your premium compared with the standard model.
The deductible levels
The deductible is the amount you pay yourself each year before your health insurer covers the costs. In Switzerland, adults can choose between six levels. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium – but you pay more yourself if you fall ill.
- CHF 300
- CHF 500
- CHF 1'000
- CHF 1'500
- CHF 2'000
- CHF 2'500
Note: separate, lower deductible levels apply to children and young people.
Notice periods and switching dates
Basic insurance can usually be switched at the end of the year. For the switch to take effect on 1 January, your cancellation must reach your current insurer in time – usually by the end of November. What counts is receipt by the insurer.
- Obligation to accept: Every insurer must accept you for basic insurance without a health check.
- Switching at year-end: Basic-insurance cancellations must as a rule be received by the end of November.
- No gap in cover: Take out the new policy before cancelling the old one – that way you remain insured throughout.
Compare premiums and save
Answer a few short questions about where you live, your insurer, model and deductible – we will show you where you can save for the same benefits.
Compare now for freeFrequently asked questions about comparing health insurers
Are the benefits the same at every health insurer?
Yes. Under mandatory basic insurance (KVG), the catalogue of benefits is defined by law and identical at every Swiss insurer. Wherever you hold your basic insurance, you receive the same level of cover when you are ill. What differs above all is the premium – and that is exactly where the savings potential lies.
How do I switch my health insurer?
Basic insurance can usually be switched at the end of the year. You choose a new insurer, it registers you, and you cancel with your current insurer in good time. A new insurer must accept you for basic insurance without a health check.
By when must my cancellation reach the insurer?
To switch on 1 January, your basic-insurance cancellation must as a rule reach your current insurer by the end of November. What counts is receipt, not the postmark – so cancel in good time.
How do I save the most on my premium?
Three levers: switch insurer (same benefits, different premium), choose your insurance model (family doctor, HMO, telemedicine or pharmacy instead of standard) and adjust your deductible. A higher deductible lowers your premium, but increases your co-payment if you fall ill.
What does the comparison cost?
The premium comparison and personal advice are free of charge and non-binding. You can take your time deciding whether switching is worthwhile for you.