Because of the bounty explosion: Parliament wants to ban telephone terror

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Insurance brokers are booming, like every fall. After Health Minister Alain Berset (51) had to announce another significant increase in health insurance premiums, the telephone terror for Mr and Mrs Schweizer started again. The poaching of policyholders and the sale of additional health insurance is in full swing.

This issue has been a thorn in Parliament’s side for years. The commissions paid to intermediaries are part of the insurer’s administrative costs and drive up health care premiums. So-called cold calling would actually not be allowed at all, i.e. advertising calls without the person being called having shown interest in it.

Left and right want to further tighten the law

In addition, parliament passed a law a year ago that is intended to more strictly regulate broker activities. But this is not yet in force. Furthermore, despite the sector’s stated intention to put an end to this nuisance, little has changed. Not all health insurers have even signed the corresponding agreement.

That is why Parliament now wants to tighten the screws again: supported from left to right, both SP National Councilor and Chairman of Consumer Protection Nadine Masshardt (38) and party colleague Barbara Gysi (59) are calling for not only maximums for commissions for insurance intermediaries, but also that cold calling is finally made legal to ban.

SVP Councilor Benjamin Giezendanner (41) in turn wants to put an end to external intermediaries. SP council colleague Gysi, in turn, advocates an independent reporting center that reports any violations to the authorities and can impose sanctions.

Trade association refers to upcoming law

The politicians point out that health insurers weakened their sector agreement at the start of the insurance switching season. Masshardt complains that the previously external oversight committee will be replaced by an internal reporting center that cannot issue sanctions or inform the authority of violations. At the same time, excessive commission payments for additional health insurance were made possible.

Trade association Santésuisse does not want to know anything about the increasing telephone terror. Blick was informed of the upcoming change in the law: “We are confident that the new legal provisions are so effective that unsolicited telephone calls will be postponed in the future.”

The Federal Council has also been reluctant to tighten regulations so far. He points out that Parliament does not yet want a binding agreement for insurers. That is why the government does not want to take action: “Any impetus to further tighten regulations should come from parliament.”

Parliament does not need to be told twice. It is now seeking further legal regulations at different levels, so that the next premium increase may not be as serious. (dba)

Source:Blick