I moved here almost a month ago, but my 'B' Bewelligung was issued in November. After moving, we have had problems moving into the rental flat, we had signed the contract for - which is still pending, so a lot of stuff which depends on the address got delayed.

However, the question I have is:

The health Insurance Co. is telling me that my premiums will start from the day I am registered with the Gemeinde, whereas I was given to understand that I need to buy an insurance anytime within 3 months of moving here. Does that entail beginning the insurance from the day of the move itself, as for me that would mean paying out for 2.5 months that have already elapsed.

Does anyone know about any of this?

Yes, I'm afraid you will have to pay from your registration which includes the 2.5 months.

Strictly speaking the health insurance company as already said is correct but if you complain it is not unheard of for them to reduce the fee for the first three months. So give it a go and good luck!

Is it comforting to know that if you had gotten sich in those 2.5 months you would have been covered before even signing up? No I guess not so much....

Hi

FYI - I used AXA from the UK to cover me here and they gave me the first 2 months free and it is a little cheaper. Cover appears to be similar (though let me know if i made a booboo) and even better in a few areas - eg some dental/optical and it is a little cheaper than the cheapest deal i found here.

also try www.comparis.ch - its an objective website where you can search for the best/cheapest insurance deal to suit what you are looking for.

`fromage`

Comparis is paid for by companies who advertise and offer premium values etc

It's useful but not absolutely impartial.

Also some quotes are very low until you add stuff back on that may be standard with another company - I forget details but I looked last year about changing and ended up not doing so.

Does this mean that i am cover by insurance from the date we were registered because i had an accident 3 days later but still have not arranged insurance.

do you have a job or did you have a job when the accident happened? Typically your employer covers this contribution.

No, my wife is here to work and her company has applied for my resident permit, not even sure when they applied, they were supposed to submit the application in November , but we are not sure they did as we had ti sign some forms last thursday. I applied for my visa seperately and drove to france to pick it up last tuesday.

I'm up for over a grand so far.

I have heard about this problem on previous threads.
I arrive in early August but my permit was not issued till end of October 2006. When i applied for my health insurance using comparis.ch they issued my insurance back dated to August 2006. I got one of the Swiss people I work with to call "Avenex" my insurer and told them that I had been covered by my travel insurance and that I couldnt get medical insurance earlier as my permit hadnt been issued to end of October.
They promptly agreed to waiver the premiums and reissued the policy as of 01 November, no questions asked. So the moral of my story is that it maybe worth trying to contact your insurer and explain the situation. Who knows unless you try!

you will (likely) be covered by your insurance company as you personally are resposible for your accident coverage.

of course you then must factor in your deductable and potentially them asking for you to pay a percentage.