The autumn checklist: reviewing your health insurance before 30 November

Every autumn, insurers announce their basic insurance premiums for the coming year, and letters start arriving. For many households this is the one moment in the year when it makes sense to look at health insurance properly. Here is the checklist I use with clients.

1. Read the letter, not just the number

Your insurer is required to inform you about your new premium. Look at the new amount, but also check that your deductible, insurance model and any supplementary products are still what you think they are.

2. Compare like with like

Because basic insurance benefits are the same everywhere, comparing premiums is straightforward, as long as you compare the same deductible and the same model. A cheaper offer with a different model may come with rules you didn't expect, such as always calling a telemedicine line first.

3. Check your deductible against reality

Look back at the past year or two. How much did you actually spend on doctors, medication and treatment? Then ask:

• If my costs are low and stable, would a higher deductible save me more in premiums than it could cost me?
• If I have a planned treatment, a chronic condition or a baby on the way, does a lower deductible make more sense next year?
• Do I have enough savings set aside to cover the full deductible plus my share of costs if something unexpected happens?

4. Know the deadline

If you want to change basic insurer for the standard model for 1 January, your cancellation generally has to reach your current insurer by 30 November. "Reach" is the important word, so send it early and by registered post. Rules can differ for special models and deductible changes, so check the terms in your policy or ask your advisor.

5. Treat supplementary insurance separately

Supplementary policies have their own notice periods, often longer than one year, and a new insurer can decline you. Don't cancel anything here until a replacement is confirmed.

The best time to review your insurance is before you need it. The second-best time is every autumn.

6. Update your life details

Moved canton? Changed job? Children turning 19 or 26? Each of these can affect your premium or your options. A short review now avoids surprises later.

If going through this list raises questions, get in touch. A twenty-minute conversation is often enough to make a confident decision.