How to switch health insurance without the hassle

Why consider switching?

There are plenty of good reasons to change health insurer:

• Your premium has risen too much: Many policyholders find their premium has grown well above inflation.
• The cover no longer suits you: Your needs have changed and your plan falls short (or you're paying for cover you don't use).
• The medical network has shrunk: Your usual hospital or doctor is no longer in it.
• Poor customer service: Trouble getting appointments, delays with authorisations or unhelpful support.
• You've found something better: The market moves and more competitive plans may have appeared.

Step 1: Know your current policy's deadlines

First, go through your current contract:

• Renewal date: Policies usually renew annually. That's the natural moment to switch.
• Notice period: You normally have to give 1-2 months' notice before the renewal date. Miss it and the policy renews automatically.
• Minimum term: Some plans set a 12-month minimum. Check whether yours does.

Key tip: Put the notice deadline in your calendar. If it slips past, you'll have to wait another year.

Step 2: Compare new options

Before cancelling your current cover, look at the alternatives:

• Use an independent comparison site to see everything on the market.
• Compare not just price, but cover, medical network, copayments and premium stability.
• Take account of the new plan's waiting periods.
• Check your preferred doctors or centres are in the new insurer's network.

Step 3: Watch the waiting periods

This is the trickiest part of switching. When you take out a new policy, you may have to serve fresh waiting periods for certain cover (hospital stays, surgery, maternity).

That said, many insurers will waive waiting periods if you can show you're coming from similar cover. For that you'll need:

• A certificate from your current insurer stating what you were covered for and for how long.
• No gap between your old policy ending and the new one starting.

Always ask the new insurer whether they accept a waiver before you commit.

Step 4: Line up the dates

It's essential there's no gap in cover between your current policy ending and the new one starting:

1. Take out the new policy with a start date matching the end date of the old one.
2. If the dates can't match exactly, aim for a short overlap (better to pay a few days of two policies than to be uncovered).
3. Give notice on your current policy within the required window.

Step 5: Cancel properly

To cancel your current cover:

• In writing: Send written notice (email with read receipt, recorded delivery or burofax).
• Within the deadline: Respect the notice period in your contract.
• Keep the proof: Hold on to the receipt or proof of sending.
• Ask for a certificate: Request a certificate of cover and length of policy, which you'll need to request a waiting-period waiver with your new insurer.

Frequently asked questions

Can they charge me a penalty for leaving? If you switch at the renewal date and respect the notice period, there shouldn't be a penalty. If you cancel before renewal, check your contract terms.

Do I lose the waiting periods I've already served? It depends. If the new insurer accepts a waiver (the norm when moving from similar cover), you won't. If they don't, you'll have to serve new ones.

Can I change plan without changing insurer? Yes. You can ask your current insurer to move you to a different plan (for example, from a copayment plan to one without). In many cases you won't have to serve new waiting periods.

What if I'm in the middle of treatment? If you're receiving ongoing treatment, check with the new insurer whether it will be covered without interruption. If you're in hospital or under active treatment, it's usually better to postpone the switch.

Can I switch mid-year? Technically yes, but you'll need to check the minimum term and any penalties for cancelling early.

Switching checklist

• Know my current policy's renewal date
• Know the notice period for cancelling
• Compare alternatives on the market
• Ask about a waiting-period waiver with the new insurer
• Take out the new policy with a coordinated start date
• Give notice in writing and within the deadline
• Request a certificate of cover and length of policy
• Check there's no gap in cover