Prevent ambulance demolition: These are the four most important additional insurances

That’s what the Ombudsman says: «The ambulance vehicle, and above all the helicopter, incurs very high costs. It may be beneficial to have additional insurance for these services. The sooner you apply, the better the chance for the insurer to accept it.”

Contains: The supplementary insurance plan “General ward throughout Switzerland” is one of the most popular supplementary insurance plans in Switzerland. If you take out the insurance, the health insurance covers hospital and treatment costs outside of your canton of residence.

when it’s worth it: Those who live in cantons with low hospital costs but want to be treated in hospitals in other cantons can benefit from this additional assistance. The same applies to people who live on the cantonal border and can reach the hospital in the neighboring canton more quickly.

That’s what the Ombudsman says: «The insurance coverage does not offer a completely free choice of hospitals. Only hospitals included in the cantonal hospital lists can be selected. In semi-private or private supplementary hospital insurance, insurers can also decide for themselves which hospitals they will provide coverage for. To do this, they maintain lists that can change. It is useful to read the general and special contract provisions (ABV and BVB) carefully.»

Contains: This additional insurance covers some of the cost of braces or corrections. Supplementary insurance, unlike basic insurance, also covers dental hygiene, tooth extraction and dental damage that is not the result of accident or disease.

when it’s worth it: A supplement for dental or orthodontic insurance can be beneficial, especially for children, as the cost of braces or corrections can be very high. Insurance is usually given until the child reaches the age of majority.

That’s what the Ombudsman says: «It is best to get additional coverage for orthodontic measures shortly after birth. Because from the third or fourth year of life, insurers need priority dental examination. They can then assess themselves whether costly fixes await and are more likely to reject the application. It is also important that the percentage or absolute cost coverage of the relevant policy is high.»

Contains: Basic insurance covers treatment in other European countries. Only valid in medical emergencies outside of Europe. In addition, it only covers the costs as long as it does not exceed twice the cost of the respective treatment in Switzerland. Additional insurance for the costs of treatment abroad covers a larger portion of the costs, even if it is not an emergency.

when it’s worth it: In countries such as the USA, Australia, Canada, Singapore or Japan, medical treatment costs are many times higher than in Switzerland. Anyone who travels frequently to these countries must apply for treatment abroad. Otherwise, amounts of 10,000 francs may still arise even though the basic insurance partially covers the costs.

That’s what the Ombudsman says: «The protection guarantee abroad is best chosen with no limits on quantity. If you only travel for a few weeks a year, you may want to consider taking out temporary vacation or travel insurance. Here, too, it is useful to compare services before making a contract.”