In Switzerland you're often sold an expensive supplementary insurance policy soon after you arrive. What people rarely tell you: the basic insurance already covers what matters medically, and supplementary insurance is optional. Whether it's worth it depends on you, not on the person selling it.
Basic and supplementary insurance are two different things
The basic insurance (KVG) is mandatory, identical at every insurer, and covers doctor, hospital, medication and more. Supplementary insurance (VVG) is voluntary, completely different from one insurer to the next, and covers extras like dental treatment, free choice of doctor in hospital, or a contribution to your gym membership.
Important: with supplementary insurance you can be turned down
Unlike basic insurance, an insurer asks health questions for supplementary cover and may reject you, add exclusions or charge a surcharge. That has two consequences. If you want supplementary insurance, it's best to arrange it while you're young and healthy. And you don't cancel an existing one lightly, because you might not get it back later.
The most common supplementary policies, and who they're worth it for
- Semi-private / private hospital: free choice of doctor and a two-bed or single room. But in Switzerland the actual medical treatment in the general ward is just as good. This is comfort, not better medicine.
- Dental: dental treatment isn't in the basic insurance. Whether dental cover is worth it depends on your teeth. For children's braces it can make sense; for healthy adults you often pay more in premiums than you ever get back.
- Alternative and complementary medicine: acupuncture, homeopathy and the like. Some is already in the basic insurance, and supplementary extends it. Worth it if you actually use these treatments.
- Gym, glasses, prevention: small contributions to a gym membership or glasses. Do the maths: the extra premium is often higher than what you get back.
- Abroad and travel: basic insurance only covers emergencies abroad to a limited extent. If you travel a lot, a travel cover or supplementary policy may be worth checking.
The honest rule of thumb
Insurance is worth it for large, unpredictable costs you couldn't carry yourself. For small, predictable expenses like glasses or a gym membership, supplementary insurance is usually a poor deal: you pay the cost up front, plus a margin for the insurer. If on average you get back less than you pay in premiums, it's not insurance, it's a subscription.
Be careful with the "free" consultation
Intermediaries earn a commission on supplementary insurance and almost nothing on basic. That's why you're often steered to the expensive supplementary package. Always ask yourself: does this person earn something if I sign? A "free consultation" that ends with the priciest package is a sales pitch.
Basic first, the rest after
Before you think about extras, make sure your mandatory basic insurance is the cheapest one for identical cover. That saves money for certain, with no downside. Supplementary insurance is then your own free choice, made calmly and without sales pressure.
This is general information, not personal insurance advice.