I changed my car and the insurance company sent me an updated offer which is unacceptably expensive (+50% comparing to competition). I tried negotiating but with limited luck, so I'd like to switch to a different company.

1. What happens if I do not accept the new offer?

2. Am I still covered from the day of car change until now (it's been a couple of weeks).

3. Do I have to respect my previous policy contract start/end dates? It's ending end of April so I cannot respect the contractual 3 months delay.

4. How do I switch to the new insurance in case I could cancel the old one. Should I just send a resignation letter and at the same time conclude a new policy starting with the cancellation date of the old one?

I understand you can switch to another insurance company if you have changed the car. I see no problem in telling the old company to go away and buy new insurance. Have you spoken to the canton road vehicle department? They should also be aware that the insurance has changed.

I've been told that I cannot cancel if I have a contract in place, but since the contract changed (higher price) there might be a way out.

Unfortunately it's the garage where I got the car who registered the new car on my old plates and insurance and it's only now that I find out about new rates.

You can cancel in case of:
- contract expiration
- change of car
- change in premium (not just increase), probably change in insurance conditions as well
- change of car holder

IIRC a new holder must be registered with the Strassenverkehrsamt within two weeks, probably the same timeframe applies to everything related as well, including cancelling insurance. So you need to act quickly, or get someone else to act as holder for a couple months.

The old 3rd liability insurance becomes void with the date you request a certificate from your new insurance, unused premium is returned.

Give back the plates, then get new plates is the only way.

One variation/sub-case of what Urs Max is saying concerning the "change in premium". If you have an accident and the company increases your premium, you are not obliged to accept it and you can change. Sorry, I can not remember the time you have but it is not much. So, if you have an accident, shop around for a new insurer ASAP while the car is being fixed so you are ready to go.

Or within 30 days of a claim.....

My update on the topic is following.

I could have cancelled having sold the car and/or seeing the new insurance terms. However, since it was my garage who organized the change of vehicles with my insurance and I already drove the new car for some weeks, I am obliged to continue until the contract term is due next year.