Hello everyone,
We are having problems with our CSS complementary (not basic) health insurance policy to which we signed up 4 months ago.
They claim that we are bound to the policy for 5 years (!) and that we cannot cancel it unless CSS increases the premiums (which would happen only a year from now at the earliest)!
Has anyone faced such a problem? Any ideas about ways to be able to cancel the policy? Again, this concerns the complementary health insurance coverage (not the basic which we have to keep).
THANKS in advance.
Best wishes,
Lina

Thats the contract you willingly signed, you are stuck with it unless you leave CH

Unless there was some miss-selling involved which wouldn't be out of the question.

Consumer protection in CH, what have I missed?

What does the contract you signed say? We can't possibly know what is in your contract.

Unfortunately they can hold you to it. They want to lock you in for a long period as it means you cannot then change to another insurer. Just hope they put the premium up then you can cancel, but make sure you strictly follow the notice period and conditions - such as giving notice with a registered letter rather than normal post or an email..

What happened when you signed up? Did you not see the contract duration?

Trying to understand if there was foul play or just"I did not notice and now I did and am annoyed but it's really all my fault"

If the latter, I am sorry but you are stuck.

Why do you want to cancel anyway?

Thanks for all your replies.
The contract is silent on duration of policy but shows a renewal date of 31 Dec. 2020.
The insurance co. mentions on their website T&C that policies can be cancelled with 3 months notice.
So we will challenge the so-called required 5 year commitment that the representative is claiming.
Thanks again everyone.
Stay safe and well!

Unfortunately you have to cancel during September every year for the end of the year so your best-case scenario is for the end of 2021.

Yes, I can confirm this, as I did it last year.

Tom

NO, the date is 30th of November for basic. But for complimentary, it depends on your contract


Tips and information on switching health insurance

• Switching insurance enables you to save money, enjoy better service (e.g. based on customer satisfaction ratings) or receive more appropriate benefits (e.g. through choice of insurance model).
• The Comparis health insurance comparison lists the latest premiums and deals offered by the different health insurers. You can use it at any time to request quotes and switch health insurance without any pressure from insurance advisors.
• Your health insurer must receive your notice to cancel basic insurance by 30 November 2020. Note that the date of the postmark does not apply.
• The cancellation deadline for supplemental insurance varies according to health insurer and length of the policy.
• You can take out basic and supplemental insurance with different insurers and cancel the policies independently of each other.

From comparis.ch

It's end of September for CSS, which the OP has.

Tom

Comparis says for basic insurance it is 30th November.

And this document (page 15) from the BAG gives a bunch of really confusing bullet points but an example that seems to confirm that:

Example:
If you would like to take out your basic insurance with another health insurer on January 1st, you can cancel your previous health insurance by November 30th, regardless of a premium increase or whether you have an insurance with an HMO, family doctor model, or a previous one telephone consultation or optional deductible. Decisive
The only thing is that the health insurer has notified you of the new premium approved by the BAG by October 31.

All well but OP is not asking about basic health insurance

Your policy document should says valid for x years or so no?

Did you send in cancellation in time?

Without reading what is in the contract you signed- no-one can really help you, sorry. Perhaps ask at work if someone can help. Is your French good enough to deal with this and to understand the clauses?


I do feel for you, but please be aware that the 'we did not understand what we signed' will just not work. And yes, I am sure some Insurance sellers take advantage of this. Never ever sign anything you do not understand and always ask for someone who can interpret for you if necessary. Bonne chance.

I was replying to Tom's blanket statement that for CSS it is September, which is wrong according to the references JackieH and I provided.

The cancellation dates for basic and complementary insurance may be different - which is stupid, but people need to know particularly since insurance companies make this information hard to find.

We left said company exactly over these type of issues.


I was not entirely unhappy, but couldn't see that in the case of someone having an accident or being really sick it was a trustworthy place to be.

Tom was referring to CSS complimentary insurance as that is what is being discussed in the thread.

Basic insurance cancellation date is 30th November and is the same for all companies and all cantons. Complimentary depends on the company, the policy and probably even the phase of the moon as they are not governed by the same rules as basic insurance, they can basically make up their own rules.

Make a claim on it - both you and insurer can cancel policy unilaterally after any claim