The deadlines to know
- 30 November : deadline to send your cancellation for a change effective on 1 January
- One month's notice generally required before your desired cancellation date, to be checked in your current contract, as some older contracts have different rules
- Change of deductible or model only possible at year-end, save for special cases (marriage, birth, change of canton)
- Premium increase during the year : an extraordinary right to cancel generally opens within the month following a premium increase announced by your current fund
The procedure, step by step
- Compare the offersIdeally from September-October, to have time to analyse several deductible/model/fund scenarios without rushing.
- Take out the new policyThe application to the new insurer must be confirmed before sending the cancellation of the old one, never the reverse, to avoid any gap in cover.
- Cancel the old fundPreferably by registered post, before 30 November, with the desired cancellation date clearly stated (31 December).
- Confirm the subsidy transfer if applicableIf you receive a cantonal subsidy, inform your new insurer so the payment continues without interruption.
- Check the written confirmationKeep the new insurer's confirmation of affiliation and the old one's acknowledgement of cancellation, in case of an administrative dispute.
A mistake never to make: cancelling your old fund before you have the new one's written confirmation of affiliation. In the event of a refusal (rare but possible) or a processing delay, you'd risk a period without cover.
Special cases
- Premium increase during the year: opens an extraordinary right to cancel, with a deadline usually shorter than the standard year-end procedure
- Moving to another canton: can justify a change of fund or premium region outside the usual window
- Birth: lets you affiliate a newborn with no waiting period, regardless of the time of year
We handle the entire switching procedure for you, comparison, subscription, coordination of cancellation dates, to eliminate any risk of a timing error. Free service, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I send my cancellation after 30 November?
It will generally be processed for the following year, unless there is an extraordinary reason to cancel (premium increase, moving).
Can I switch fund several times a year?
No; apart from extraordinary cases, changing your basic insurance is limited to once a year, on 1 January.
Does switching fund affect my supplementary cover?
Not automatically; supplementary policies follow their own contractual rules, generally independent of the LAMal calendar. A separate check is recommended before any change.
