Changing insurance in Switzerland: The practical guide for newcomers

You are new to Switzerland and wondering whether your previous insurance still makes sense? Or are you paying too much and want to switch to a better provider? Changing insurance is completely normal and often even necessary. In this article, I will explain to you as an experienced insurance advisor how to proceed correctly, which deadlines apply and what you need to pay attention to when changing your insurance.

Why consider changing insurance?

Most of my clients only think about switching when premiums increase or they stay with the same company for life – that is a mistake. The Swiss insurance market is dynamic. Every year, insurers launch new tariffs on the market, some become cheaper, others more expensive. Especially as a newcomer, you often have better terms if you optimise your insurance from scratch.

Typical reasons for switching include:

• Premium increase (average 2–4 % per year)
• Insufficient insurance cover
• Better offers from other providers
• Life changes (marriage, children, home purchase)
• Poor claims settlement

The most important deadlines for changing insurance

In Switzerland, you must comply with notice periods. For most insurance policies (liability, household contents, comprehensive car insurance), the notice period is 30 days at the end of an insurance year. This means: if your contract expires on 31 December, notice must be given by 1 December at the latest.

Special feature of health insurance: This can be terminated with a notice period of 30 days at the end of any calendar month – you therefore have more flexibility. Save yourself up to CHF 3,000 per year through a clever switch!

Attention: The notice period for professional insurance (e.g. professional liability insurance) can be up to 90 days. Read your policy carefully!

Step by step to a successful switch

1. Analyse your current insurance cover
Collect all your insurance certificates and policies. What cover do you actually have? Where are there gaps or duplications? As a newcomer, this is especially important as you may not be able to bring everything with you from your previous country.

2. Obtain and compare quotes
Contact at least 3–5 different insurers or use an independent advisor like me. Compare not only the premium, but also the benefits, excess and coverage limits.

3. Submit your notice of cancellation
Send the cancellation in writing (registered letter or by email with confirmation) to your current insurer. Keep a copy.

4. Conclude with your new insurance
Sign the new contract. The new insurer will often take care of the formal deregistration with the old one – ask!

5. Ensure a smooth transition
Watch out for coverage gaps. You must not go a single day without insurance cover.

Costs and financial aspects of changing insurance

Changing insurance itself costs nothing – there are no switching fees in Switzerland. However, you should consider the following points:

• Excess: A higher excess (e.g. CHF 500 instead of CHF 250) lowers the premium but increases your own responsibility in the event of a claim.
• Bonus-malus systems: For claims-free records, you often receive discounts. Don't switch without good reason if you have just built up bonus years.
• Contract penalties: Rare, but sometimes there are fees for early termination. The Insurance Contract Act usually protects you, though.

Special tips for newcomers and foreigners

As someone who works with newcomers daily, I would like to particularly highlight these points for you:

• Check residence status: Some insurers require a B permit or permanent residence status. Clarify this before concluding the contract.
• Language clarity: Read the policy in German or your native language. Ask if anything is unclear!
• International cover: Do you still need insurance cover in your home country? Some policies offer supplements.
• Change bank details: Provide a Swiss IBAN so that premium payments run smoothly.

Avoid common mistakes when changing insurance

In my advisory practice, I see the same mistakes again and again:

• Cancelling too early: Those who cancel before the cancellation date often pay for the entire month.
• Coverage gaps: A new contract should start on the same day as the cancellation – no day without cover!
• Only focusing on price: The cheapest insurance is not always the best. Claims settlement is important!
• No documentation: Save all confirmations, cancellations and contract data digitally and on paper.

When should you seek professional help?

You can generally change insurance yourself. However, I recommend professional advice if:

• You are new to Switzerland and don't know the market
• You have complex insurance structures (business, property)
• You are unsure what cover you need
• You want to maximise discounts and savings potential

Good advice often saves you 10–20 % of your annual premiums and gives you the confidence that you are properly insured.

Conclusion: The right time to switch

Changing insurance is straightforward if you know the deadlines and proceed in a structured manner. In Switzerland, you don't pay for the switch itself – you only pay if you wait too long. Review your insurance at least once a year and regularly compare new quotes.

As a newcomer, you have the advantage of being able to optimise from scratch. Take advantage of this opportunity!

Book a free consultation with Helpner. I will show you where you can save and what insurance you really need. Contact me at helpner.ch or call me directly – advice on insurance, taxes and administration throughout Switzerland.