The sharp increase in health insurance premiums has consequences: according to a representative survey, about one in four adults in Switzerland change their basic health insurance at the end of the year. This is much more than in other years.
The proportion of people switching health insurance companies has so far been in the single-digit percentage range, as the comparison portal Comparis announced on Thursday. Now 843 of the 3156 people surveyed, or about 27 percent from all regions of Switzerland, indicated that they would change their basic insurance at the end of the year.
6.6 percent premium increase
Basic health insurance premiums in Switzerland will increase by an average of 6.6 percent next year.
The French, where 31 percent of respondents are insured at another health insurance company in 2023, are particularly keen to change. In German-speaking Switzerland, the proportion of exchangers is 25 percent and in Ticino 18 percent. 61 percent of those who made the switch described the premium increase as an important or very important reason.
47 percent of those willing to change described themselves as notorious changers. 44 percent of changers indicated that the main reason for the replacement was poor service at the previous checkout. 69 percent of changers keep their franchises at the new provider.
Inflation increases the pressure to save
Proportionally, the number of people moving to KPT from Assura and Atupri is particularly large. This payout is emerging as the biggest winner in terms of customer growth. The market research institute commissioned by Comparis to conduct the survey also found that many policyholders had moved from Visana to Helsana.
According to Comparis, KPT will have about 40 percent more customers next year than in the current year. Felix Schneuwly, Comparis health insurance expert, said in a statement that he was surprised at the extent of the change. Inflation probably also increased the saving pressure. (SDA)