Switching basic insurance is free
Cancelling and switching funds for basic insurance (KVG/LAMal) generates no fees: no penalty, no 'handling charge', no cancellation cost. The law guarantees this annual right and forbids the insurer from charging you to leave. The only 'cost' is the registered letter, recommended to prove the date of receipt — a few francs.
You also lose no benefits: basic cover is identical everywhere. Switching therefore means paying less for the same thing.
What may represent an indirect cost
Two nuances deserve attention. First, if you cancel a supplementary insurance (VVG/LCA), it follows different rules: a 3-month notice period (often 30 September) and sometimes a minimum term set in the general conditions. Cancelling out of time can tie you in for another year.
Second, never cancel basic insurance before you have the new fund's written acceptance. A coverage gap is not a direct 'cost', but it exposes you. The right sequence is: compare, sign the new one, then cancel the old one.
How much you can save
The real saving depends on your canton, age, deductible and insurance model. Since the basic benefit does not change, every franc of premium gap between two funds is a net saving. Add the choice of a higher deductible or an alternative model (family doctor, HMO, Telmed, PharMed) and the effect compounds.
To estimate your gain, compare the premiums in your region before 30 November, then start the cancellation. Our savings estimator gives an order of magnitude based on real premiums, with no invented amounts.
Frequently asked questions
Are there fees to cancel basic insurance?
No. Switching basic insurance is free: no cancellation fee or penalty. Only the registered letter costs a few francs.
Can the new fund charge me entry fees?
No, not for basic insurance. The insurer must accept you from 1 January with no joining fee and no reservation.
And for a supplementary insurance?
Supplementary insurances (VVG/LCA) have their own rules: a 3-month notice period and sometimes a minimum term. Check your general conditions before cancelling.