Just to get other parents' opinions:

we are moving to Switzerland next year, we have a toddler who goes to nursery (and hopefully will also go to nursery once we move) and in the UK we are at the GP's surgery about once a month with chest infections, tonsillitis etc. What kind of insurance plans have other parents opted for and do you wish you had chosen something different? Has a particular feature of your insurance plan been very helpful? We will be in Vaud.

Thank you!

With kids it doesnt cost much to get top shelf insurance. This varies with companies and from canton to canton. Basic insurance (KVG) you have to get by law but all your supplementary insurance is optional. For kids you can get a semi-private room,free choice of doctor,alternative medicine, transport costs, home help an d alot more for as little 20 franks a month (on top of your basic insurance of course) so its a bit of a no brainer. IMHO it is best to get supplementary insurance when you dont need it, cos that is the only time you can get it.

disclaimer: the opinions above are supplied by someone who works in the health insurance industry

I suggest you contact Forum member Jenny who has arranged insurance for many members.

Thank you! Another quick question: is it worth checking which doctors a certain insurance supports before signing up or do they generally have a good coverage? ie is it possible to end up in a town where the family doctor isn't covered by your health insurance and you have to travel to get to one in your insurance network?

Thanks! Lidia

The answer is yes, yes and yes. All companies vary in which doctors are covered by their network so its best to check if your local doctor is covered by your provider or if not, choose a hausarzt model with free choice of doctor.
Or a telecare model with free choice of doctor.
Or a basic model with free choice but this can cost $$$$$

Thanks Simon! This is really beginning to remind me of the US system, not a happy memory! So I guess it is better to wait until we have a better idea of where we will leave before signing up to anything..

Unless you sign up for the super cheap restricted health care insurance, regular swiss insurance gives you choice of doctors. The only thing I would be concerned is that if living in the greater Lausanne/la Cote area, there is generally a shortage of drs. and it may take a while to find one that will take you right away without a waiting list or calling around to many before finding one.