Tips and tricks for health cover Terminating & switching basic insurance

Easily compare basic insurance options at AXA.ch
Save up to CHF 2000 per year
We terminate your current insurance and take care of the switch
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Key points at a glance
  • Done in a few clicks: With the “Terminating and switching basic insurance” service, you choose your new basic insurance quickly and easily.
  • Worthwhile to compare premiums: While all basic insurance policies in Switzerland have the same benefits, their premiums differ.
  • We’ll take care of everything: We terminate your current insurance and take care of the switch.

Would you like to save on basic insurance?

With AXA’s switching service you can choose your new basic insurance with just a few clicks. We take care of terminating your cover and switching for you. This way, you save up to CHF 2000 each year.

How can I terminate and switch my basic insurance?

Would you like to terminate your basic insurance and switch to a cheaper provider? The service we offer when you take out AXA supplementary insurance makes switching your basic insurance child’s play.

1. Compare premiums

All basic insurance in Switzerland offers the same benefits. So compare the premiums for the models that suit you.

2. Choose your new basic insurance

Choose the basic insurance that suits you best. Whether it’s the cheapest, the most customer-friendly, or the most local.

3. Leave the task of switching your basic insurance to us.

Yes, that’s right – you didn’t misread that. From this point on, you can just sit back and relax. We terminate and switch your basic insurance for you.

We compare basic insurance premiums for you, you make your choice and just sit back and relax.

We compare, you choose, we take care of the switch. Quickly, simply, and without any fuss.

FAQ on terminating & switching basic insurance

  • Do I need basic insurance?

    Yes, basic insurance – or more precisely mandatory healthcare insurance (OKP) – is compulsory for persons who are resident in Switzerland. So if you decide to terminate your current health insurance, you must register with a new health insurance provider by the end of the year at the latest.

  • What points should I consider when looking into basic insurance?

    The benefits offered under mandatory health insurance are prescribed by law, which means they are the same no matter who you are insured with. The main differences relate to premiums and how long insurers take to reimburse you for your healthcare costs. Health insurance companies also offer different models, which differ in their provisions. Regularly keeping up to date on these points and looking into switching can allow you to make annual savings.

  • What basic health insurance models are there?

    Insurance companies are relatively free in the choice and structuring of their models. This means there is a correspondingly large number of models. Which model you choose will depend on whether you prefer a lower premium or greater freedom of choice. You can switch model every January 1.

    The most common models are:

    Standard model

    Under the standard model (also called the traditional model), you are free to choose any doctor you like, but you pay the highest premium. This model is offered with the same benefits by all mandatory basic insurers.

    General practitioner model

    As the name suggests, under the general practitioner model, you first contact your general practitioner’s office. Exceptions to this rule are gynecological preventive examinations, eye doctor checkups, and emergencies.

    This is the model most frequently chosen by insured persons in Switzerland.

    HMO model

    An HMO practice consists of physicians, specialists, general practitioners, and therapists who provide medical treatment. Those insured under this model contact their HMO practice first, but benefit from lower premiums.

    Telmed model

    Under the Telmed model, your first point of contact is the telephone consultation hotline of your statutory health insurance provider. If necessary, they will refer you to a doctor’s office or a hospital. The Telmed model is one of the most affordable health insurance models.

  • How can I switch my basic insurance?

    Compare the premiums of your current health insurance provider with other providers. Check alternative insurance models and the potential savings you could make with a higher “franchise”, or excess. This way you’ll find out which is the most reasonable option for you. After that, what you need to do is find out what period of notice you need to give, terminate your existing insurance, and register with the new provider.

  • How can I terminate my basic insurance?

    You can terminate your basic insurance by giving one month’s notice to the end of the calendar year. It’s sometimes possible to cancel to the end of June, but that’s unusual. Switching is easy because the new health insurance provider cannot reject you based on your medical history. You should note, though, that in order to switch, you need to have paid all outstanding bills.

  • Do I have to take out basic and supplementary insurance with the same health insurance provider?

    No, you don’t. In fact, having basic and supplementary insurance with different providers has advantages. It means you can opt for inexpensive basic insurance and take out supplementary insurance cover tailored to your needs.

    A tip: If you plan to switch your basic insurance regularly to save money, it’s worth taking out basic and supplementary insurance with different providers. This saves you the annual bother of comparing benefits and you only have to pay attention to one termination date.

  • What excess – or “franchise” – should I choose?

    The ordinary excess defines how much of your healthcare costs you pay yourself. As an adult you have six options ranging from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500. The higher your excess, the lower your insurance premium and vice versa. A tip: Choose either the highest excess or the lowest. You can change your excess at the end of each year.

    Do you have questions about the excess?

  • When should I switch health insurance provider?

    All basic insurance companies announce their new premiums at the beginning of October. You have until the termination notice date at the end of November to switch. Important: statutory health insurance insurance is mandatory in Switzerland. You must register with a new insurance company by the end of the year at the latest.

    Don’t forget that notice of termination must be received by your current health insurance company in time.

  • What is the period of notice for health insurance?

    Here, you need to distinguish between basic insurance and supplementary insurance. For basic insurance, you have a period of notice of one month to the end of the calendar year. So your notice needs to be received by the end of November.

    Most supplementary insurance comes with a period of notice of three months, also to the end of the calendar year. You need to have notified your supplementary insurance provider of the termination by the end of September.

Contractual provisions

Would you like to have more information on our General Insurance Conditions and other provisions relating to the basic insurance switching service? Attached you will find a list of all the contractual provisions that apply.

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