How the Swiss could have saved up to 38,000 francs

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• According to a Comparis analysis, insured persons could have saved over CHF 30,000 in some cases by switching from the most expensive to the cheapest health insurance company in cities such as Lausanne, Zurich or Geneva since 2015.
• Even without a change of model or deductible, savings of several thousand francs would have been possible.
• Higher deductibles further increase the savings potential.
• Even today, switching is worthwhile: the difference between the most expensive and cheapest health insurer is several thousand francs per year, depending on the city.
• Average premiums have risen by up to 43% since 2015.

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Around seven percent of household expenditure in Switzerland is spent on health insurance premiums. On average, an adult pays 5,390 francs per year for basic insurance - but if you make smart comparisons, you could make huge savings. This is shown by a recent analysis by the online comparison service comparis.ch, which takes a close look at the largest Swiss cantonal capitals.

Anyone who switched from the most expensive to the cheapest health insurance provider in January 2015 - and has stuck with it ever since - could save enormous sums by the end of 2025. The frontrunner is Lausanne with CHF 37,889 (minus 48.6%). In Zurich it would be CHF 35,861 (minus 49.7 %), in Geneva CHF 32,664 (minus 43.5 %), in Basel-Stadt CHF 33,446 (minus 43.6 %) and in St. Gallen CHF 28,689 (minus 47.6 %).

Even smaller cities such as Bellinzona (minus 40.7%, CHF 27,718) and Lucerne (minus 43.6%, CHF 24,302) offer impressive savings. "That's amazing. After all, without switching from insurer to insurer every year and without the cheapest insurer actually remaining the cheapest over the entire period, you can save the equivalent of a small car. If you are insured with one of the most expensive insurers, you are simply paying too much", warns Comparis expert Felix Schneuwly.

Savings potential even without changing model or franchise

Even if you had just changed insurers in 2015 - without changing the model or deductible - you would have saved more than CHF 15,000 in some cases. In Lausanne, for example: CHF 15,517 (minus 19.9%) by switching from Visana to Assura (OKP, CHF 300 deductible).

Still worthwhile today

If you switch this fall, you can also save a lot over the next ten years. Take Zurich, for example: the most expensive insurer is currently Visana (OKP, CHF 300 deductible) with a premium of CHF 7,658, while the cheapest is Sympany-Vivao (HMO, CHF 2,500 deductible) at CHF 4,176. The average premium is CHF 5,719 - in 2015 it was still CHF 4,105 (+39.3%).

Similar developments

Berne: Most expensive Philos (OKP, CHF 300 deductible) at CHF 7,766, cheapest Helsana (GP, CHF 2,500 deductible) at CHF 4,553. Average: CHF 5,951 (+36.4 %).

Basel: Most expensive Visana (OKP) at CHF 8,366, cheapest Sympany-Vivao (HMO) at CHF 4,790. Average: CHF 6,289 (+32.5 %).

Lucerne: KPT most expensive at CHF 6,378, Sympany-Vivao cheapest at CHF 3,349. Average: 4,782 francs (+42.1 %).

St. Gallen: Assura most expensive at CHF 6,487, Sympany-Vivao cheapest at CHF 3,623. Average: 4,867 francs (+43.3 %).

Geneva: Highest at Avenir with 8,676 francs, cheapest at Sympany-Vivao with 5,134 francs. Average: 6,742 francs (+41.8 %).

Lausanne: Philos most expensive at CHF 8,276, Swica cheapest at CHF 4,746. Average: 6,348 francs (+43.5 %).

Bellinzona: Swica at the top with CHF 8,771, KPT at the bottom with CHF 4,916. Average: 6,556 francs (+66.7 %).