Switch insurance and save money

If your premiums, coverage or benefits no longer suit your life situation, it may be worthwhile to switch insurance. Switching insurance means that you terminate an existing contract and take out a new one. Find out here what advantages switching will bring you, how it works, and why it makes sense to compare insurance at an early stage. 

Which types of insurance can be switched?

As soon as the relevant notice period and any other conditions in the contract have been met, switching insurance is easy in most cases: 

• Compulsory health insurance: all health insurers in Switzerland must accept you if you apply for basic health insurance (provided you do not have unpaid invoices).
• Voluntary supplemental health insurance: The new insurer may reject you or impose restrictions.
• vehicle insurance (liability, partial accidental damage insurance, comprehensive accidental damage insurance): e.g. when the contract ends, when you change vehicles, when the premium changes or after a claim.
• Household contents insurance: after expiry of the contract, if the notice period of your contract allows this or there is special reason for termination. For example, in the event of a premium change, after a claim and in accordance with the ICA (Insurance Contract Act) after three years. 
• Private liability insurance: for example, if the premium changes.
• Legal protection insurance: if you submit the termination by the deadline and the new protection fits your everyday life.
• Life insurance: a switch requires a particularly careful examination of the costs, health questions and surrender values.
• Pillar 3a: You can transfer your savings to another provider (such as a bank, insurance company or occupational benefits foundation).

When is it worth switching insurance?

It’s worth switching insurance if your insurance no longer suits your life situation, your budget or your desired coverage. 

• Often what motivates people to switch are higher premiums: In Switzerland, health insurance premiums rose by an average of 4.4% in 2026 and insureds paid an average of CHF 393.30 per month.
• An addition to the family often changes insurance needs significantly. If a child is added, you may need more protection in your health insurance, adapted personal liability insurance, or a new solution for pension provision and life insurance.
• It can also be worthwhile to switch insurance after a claim. If, for example, you notice after a car accident that your partial accidental damage insurance does not include all the benefits you need, you should consider switching.
• In general, it’s worth switching if benefits are outdated. Some policies include modules that you hardly use, or they no longer cover important everyday risks well
• A move is also a good time to change insurance. When it comes to health insurance, the premium depends heavily on where you live. For household contents insurance, personal liability insurance or legal protection insurance, a larger apartment or a new commute to work can change your insurance needs, for example.

What deadlines apply for a change of insurance?

When switching insurance in Switzerland, the main factors that matter are the notice period, contract expiration and the timely receipt of the notice of termination.  Make sure to terminate your contract before the notice period, otherwise it will usually be extended by one year. Before you switch, you should also compare not only the premiums, but also the coverage and the contract details (GIC) to make sure it’s worthwhile for you.

Depending on the type of insurance, the statutory requirements differ as follows:

Mandatory health insurance

For basic insurance, your current insurer must receive the notice of termination by November 30 at the latest for the switch to be effective by January 1. The deciding factor is the receipt by the insurer, not the postmark. The Priminfo portal of the Federal Office of Public Health therefore recommends dispatch by November 15 by registered mail or A-Post Plus.

In the standard model with the lowest deductible of CHF 300, you can also switch as of July 1. There is a three-month notice period and your current health insurer must receive your notice of termination by the end of March. You should also check whether the new health insurer sends the certificate of insurance on time.

Note: As long as you have outstanding premiums or owe cost contributions, default interest or collection costs to your current health insurer, it is not possible to switch your basic health insurer in Switzerland. The new health insurer can refuse acceptance or the old insurer will block the switch

More about the health insurance switching service from AXA

Supplemental health insurance

Supplemental insurance is generally subject to a notice period of three months to the end of the year. Your insurer must then receive your notice of termination by September 30. Since January 1, 2022, you can also terminate many insurance contracts by the end of the third contract year at the latest. The notice period for this may not exceed three months. 

More about supplemental insurance from AXA

Car insurance, household contents, personal liability

Car insurance, household contents insurance and personal liability insurance generally have an ordinary notice period of three months before the contract expires. If your notice of termination is received too late, the contract is usually automatically renewed for another year. In addition, it’s often possible to switch insurance when premiums are adjusted, after an insured claim or when changing your vehicle. 

More about car insurance from AXA

Life insurance

In the case of life insurance, there are no uniform statutory deadlines. Instead, it depends on your individual contract. However, in the case of life insurance, you should consider early termination particularly carefully. You often suffer financial losses because the surrender value – i.e. the amount you receive back when you terminate your contract – can be low. It’s best to seek independent advice to consider alternatives such as a premium holiday or a policy adjustment. 

More about life insurance from AXA

Legal protection insurance

The requirements for legal protection insurance can also differ from contract to contract. However, there is often a notice period of three months before the contract expires. 

More about legal protection insurance from AXA

Pillar 3a

You can change your provider in Pillar 3a. However, the credit balance must remain in the 3a system and go directly to the new provider. However, it is not possible to terminate your pension account like a normal insurance policy. The exact deadline for switching depends on the product and provider and varies greatly from case to case.

More about personalized retirement from AXA

When does the special right of termination apply?

In Switzerland, many insurance companies have a special right of termination. This means that you may terminate the contract without notice even though the normal notice period has not yet been reached. There are various triggers for this:

• Premium increase: If the insurance increases the premium, you can often give notice within 30 days of receiving the new policy (even if the agreed contract term has not yet ended).
• Premium increase during the year for basic insurance: If the health insurer adjusts the premium during the year, you have an extraordinary right of termination regardless of the plan. The insurer must inform you in writing no later than two months before the increase. As a rule, you can give notice by the end of November. 
• Claim: After an insured loss event, either party or contracting party can terminate the contract (usually within two weeks for property insurance). One important exception applies to supplemental health insurance: The supplemental insurer may not terminate the contract due to the claim after paying out benefits. 
• Selling an insured item: If you sell an insured item, the contract generally expires. A typical example is selling cars. 

How does the change of insurance work?

The safest way to switch insurers is to first check your needs and only after this submit your notice of termination. This way you avoid gaps in coverage and don’t pay for services you don’t need. Next you should:

1. Clarify need: First, clarify which benefits are really needed. Check your current policy and ask yourself: Which risks really affect me in everyday life? 
2. Compare providers: Compare several providers based on premiums, benefits, deductibles and contract conditions. Don’t just pay attention to the lowest price, but also to the right protection in the event of a claim. 
3. Obtain quotations from several providers: Obtain quotations from two to three providers. A quotation is a specific offer that includes the premium, benefits and conditions. It shows you clearly whether switching your insurance really brings benefits.
4. Wait for confirmation of acceptance: Do not terminate the old insurance until you have received written confirmation of acceptance from the new insurer. 
5. Take out new insurance: Don’t take out the new insurance until the benefits, premium and contract start date are clear. Car insurance also requires a valid certificate of insurance from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The new insurer notifies the current insurer of the change.
6. Terminating your old insurance: Terminate the old insurance in writing, preferably by registered mail. This way, you have proof that the notice of termination was received by the insurer on time.
7. Save the confirmation of termination and the new policy: Please keep the confirmation of termination and the new policy in a safe place. These documents show when the old contract ends and when the new insurance starts. 

Conclusion

Whether for budget reasons, because of new circumstances or because requirements and priorities change: Sometimes it makes sense to switch insurers. If you’re considering switching insurance, you should clarify your needs and carefully compare different offers. Don’t just look at the premium, but also at the benefits, deductible, support in the event of a claim and the notice period. Check every page of the contract documentation so that you don’t overlook any important terms. If you plan your switch carefully, you’ll create a solid basis for the right coverage.