The short answer
To switch Swiss basic health insurance (KVG), send a written cancellation to your current insurer by 30 November (registered post, arrival counts — not postmark), apply to a new insurer before that same deadline, and your new cover starts on 1 January. All KVG basic benefits are identical by law, so switching only changes your premium and service, not your medical coverage. You can also switch after a premium-increase letter using the 30-day special termination right. Supplementary insurance (VVG) is different — it is medically underwritten and has separate notice periods.
Key takeaways
- Basic insurance (KVG) benefits are legally identical — switching does not reduce your medical cover.
- Written cancellation must arrive at your insurer by 30 November for a 1 January switch.
- Insurers cannot refuse basic insurance applications regardless of age or health.
- Never cancel until the new insurer confirms acceptance.
- Supplementary insurance (VVG) requires health questions and has its own notice periods.
- A premium-increase notice triggers a 30-day special termination right.
Step-by-step: switching basic insurance
Step 1 — Compare official offers (October–early November)
Use priminfo.admin.ch, the Federal Office of Public Health’s neutral comparison. Filter by canton, postcode, age, franchise and model. Note two or three shortlisted insurers.
Step 2 — Request written confirmation from the new insurer
Complete an application with the shortlisted insurer for the exact franchise and model you want. Wait for a written confirmation of acceptance — this is your safety net.
Step 3 — Send cancellation to the current insurer (by mid-November)
Send a written cancellation letter by registered post. It must physically arrive by 30 November. Include:
- Full name, date of birth, insurance number.
- Explicit termination date of 31 December.
- Names of all family members you are cancelling.
- Your signature.
Step 4 — Confirm the switch
Keep the postal receipt. Your current insurer must acknowledge the cancellation in writing. Your new insurer issues a new policy for 1 January.
Step 5 — Update payment arrangements
Cancel the old direct debit and set up a new one. Update your employer if premiums are deducted or subsidised through payroll.
Sample cancellation wording
[Your name and address]
[Insurer name and address]
[Place, date]
Cancellation of basic health insurance (KVG) — Policy no. XXXX
Dear Sir or Madam,
I hereby cancel my mandatory basic health insurance policy (KVG), effective 31 December [YEAR]. Please send written confirmation of the cancellation.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
Send by registered post (Einschreiben / lettre recommandée). If you are cancelling for the whole family, list each person’s name and date of birth.
Switching after a premium increase
When your insurer notifies you of a premium change (usually in October), you have 30 days from receipt of the letter to terminate — even after 30 November. Termination takes effect at the end of the following month. Follow the same registered-post process.
Can you switch supplementary insurance?
Yes, but with two important differences:
- The new insurer will assess your health and can decline, exclude conditions or charge higher premiums.
- Notice periods are contractual — often three months before the annual anniversary; multi-year contracts limit early exit.
Never cancel supplementary insurance until the new policy is fully accepted, in writing, with the coverage and premium confirmed. Losing supplementary cover mid-year is difficult to reverse.
Timeline at a glance
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| Late September | New premiums published on priminfo.admin.ch |
| October | Compare offers; request applications |
| Early November | Receive written confirmation from new insurer |
| Mid-November | Send cancellation to current insurer by registered post |
| 30 November | Absolute deadline: cancellation must have arrived |
| December | Confirm cancellation, update direct debit |
| 1 January | New cover starts automatically |
Common mistakes when switching
- Sending cancellation by regular post at the end of November — it arrives too late.
- Cancelling before the new insurer has confirmed acceptance.
- Assuming an email cancellation is enough — many insurers require signed letters.
- Cancelling only some family members and forgetting others.
- Cancelling supplementary insurance in parallel without health-question checks.
- Missing the 30-day special right after a premium-increase letter.
Special situations
Moving canton or municipality
Your existing basic insurance follows you. Notify your insurer of the new address so the premium is adjusted to the correct region.
Marriage, divorce or separation
Life events do not automatically trigger a switch, but they are a good moment to review cover. Adults remain individually insured.
Newborns
Newborns must be enrolled within three months of birth. Prenatal registration with a supplementary insurer avoids health questions later.
Payment problems
Insurers can refuse a switch if premiums are unpaid. Clear any outstanding balance before applying.
What this means for your family
Switching basic insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce Swiss household costs without giving up any medical coverage. Every family should consider switching every autumn — even if the answer is often to stay put. The habit itself protects you from silent premium creep.
Frequently asked questions
Can an insurer refuse me for basic insurance?
No. Basic KVG cover is guaranteed for every applicant regardless of age or health.
Will there be a gap in cover?
No. Cancellation ends the old policy on 31 December; the new one starts on 1 January. There is no interruption.
Can I switch mid-year?
Only after a premium-change notice (30-day right) or specific contractual changes. Otherwise, wait for the annual window.
Should I also switch supplementary insurance?
Only if you are healthy, understand the medical underwriting risk, and have the new policy confirmed in writing before cancelling.
Is switching insurance really worth it?
Often several hundred francs per person per year for identical medical benefits. Reviewing annually is the point — switching only when the numbers justify it.
Next step
If you would like a neutral review of whether switching genuinely benefits your family this year — and help preparing the correctly worded cancellation before 30 November — book a free consultation.
Official Swiss sources
- Federal Office of Public Health — bag.admin.ch
- ch.ch — Changing your health insurer — ch.ch
- Official premium comparison — priminfo.admin.ch
- Federal Insurance Contract Act (VVG) — fedlex.admin.ch
This article provides general information only and does not replace personalised insurance, legal, financial, tax or medical advice.