Swiss insurers face broad resistance to higher minimum deductible

A bonus.ch survey of more than 5,500 insured people finds that 59% reject the federal government’s plan to raise Switzerland’s minimum deductible from CHF 300 to CHF 400. The poll also shows 27% would consider switching insurers for 2027, underscoring sensitivity to rising premiums and dissatisfaction in some regions.

Why it matters: - The proposed increase in the minimum health insurance deductible would raise out-of-pocket costs for insured people. - The survey suggests broad public resistance to a policy meant to shift more costs onto patients. - The results also point to pressure on insurers, with many customers open to switching when premiums rise.

What happened: - bonus.ch surveyed more than 5,500 insured people in May 2026 about their health insurance. - 59% of respondents opposed the federal government’s plan to raise the minimum deductible from CHF 300 to CHF 400. - 27% said they were considering canceling their policy and switching insurers for 2027. - The survey also asked about premium increases and the value-for-money of the Swiss health system.

The details: - Opposition to the CHF 400 deductible reached 64% in French-speaking Switzerland, 58% in Italian-speaking Switzerland and 55% in German-speaking Switzerland. - Among people under 30, 69% opposed the higher deductible. - Among 50-year-olds, opposition fell to 55%. - Women were more skeptical than men, at 64% versus 56%. - Last year, 51% of respondents said CHF 300 was the ideal minimum deductible. - In that prior survey, 35% favored a higher deductible and 14% preferred the lowest deductible. - Only 10% of insured people switched health insurers in 2026, down from 17% in 2025. - Average premium increases slowed to 4.4% in 2026 after 6.0% in 2025. - Italian-speaking Switzerland still had the highest switching rate at 13%, down from 21% in 2025. - Switching rates fell from 17% to 10% in both German-speaking Switzerland and French-speaking Switzerland. - People under 30 and 40-year-olds posted the highest switching rate, at 18%. - People aged 80 and older switched least, at 9%. - In May, when 2027 premium increases were estimated at 3% to 5%, 27% of respondents were already considering a switch. - In Italian-speaking Switzerland, 61% planned to change insurers for 2027. - In German-speaking Switzerland, 86% said they were not considering canceling their current policy. - In French-speaking Switzerland, 71% planned to stay with their current insurer. - 62% of 40-year-olds planned to switch by 2027, compared with 10% of people aged 80 and older. - 10% of respondents would consider switching after a CHF 1 annual premium increase. - 42% would consider switching after a CHF 50 increase. - Adding those who would react at CHF 100 brings the total to 76%. - Only 24% would wait for an increase of at least CHF 150 before considering a switch. - 9% would not consider switching until premiums rise by CHF 300. - In French-speaking Switzerland, 80% would consider switching at a CHF 100 increase or less. - In Italian-speaking Switzerland, that share is 78%. - In German-speaking Switzerland, that share is 69%. - In French-speaking Switzerland, 46% set their threshold at a CHF 50 increase. - In Italian-speaking Switzerland, 17% said they would react to a CHF 1 increase. - Among 40- to 49-year-olds, 69% would switch at a CHF 1 or CHF 50 increase. - Among people aged 80 and older, that share falls to 45%. - Senior respondents were the most tolerant of premium increases, with 30% waiting for at least a CHF 150 increase before considering a switch. - Only 12% of 40-year-olds said they would wait that long. - The Swiss health system’s price-performance ratio was rated positively by 54% of respondents. - Of those, 13% were completely convinced and 41% were somewhat convinced. - 46% said the benefits do not really justify the costs, including 13% with a clearly negative view. - Positive ratings were 54% in German-speaking Switzerland, 53% in French-speaking Switzerland and 51% in Italian-speaking Switzerland. - Italian-speaking Switzerland was also the most critical region, with 16% giving a clearly negative rating. - People aged 80 and older were most satisfied with the system at 67%. - Satisfaction fell to 33% among 40-year-olds. - Men were slightly more positive than women, at 55% versus 49%. - The overall insurer satisfaction score in 2026 was 5.12 out of 6, up 0.03 points from the prior year. - German-speaking Switzerland had the highest overall insurer satisfaction, with 82% rating their insurer as good or very good. - The share was 73% in French-speaking Switzerland and 47% in Italian-speaking Switzerland. - Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Glarus led the canton rankings with a score of 5.4. - Basel-Landschaft, Thurgau and Valais followed at 5.3. - Ticino ranked last at 4.7 and had the steepest 2026 premium increase, at 6.9%. - Valais had a 5.8% premium increase but still ranked among the best-rated cantons. - Among age groups, 40- to 49-year-olds gave the lowest satisfaction score at 4.9. - Satisfaction rose to 5.0 for ages 50 to 59, 5.1 for ages 60 to 69 and 5.2 for people 70 and older. - Aquilana and SWICA tied for first place among insurers, each with a score of 5.4. - EGK-Gesundheitskasse and OEKK followed at 5.3. - Agrisano, Atupri, Concordia, CSS, Groupe Mutuel, Helsana, Sanitas, sodalis, Sympany and Visana shared third place at 5.2. - The survey links provided by bonus.ch were the insurer satisfaction survey, the insurer satisfaction ratings and the premium comparison tool.

Between the lines: - The data suggest that premium pressure, more than abstract reform debate, is what most strongly shapes consumer behavior. - Younger people and respondents in Italian-speaking Switzerland appear most willing to act on dissatisfaction, either by rejecting a higher deductible or by changing insurers. - The relatively high satisfaction score shows that customer service and administration remain stronger than the public mood around costs.

What's next: - The deductible proposal will remain politically sensitive because the survey shows clear resistance across all language regions. - Insurers may face another round of switching activity if 2027 premium increases land near the higher end of current estimates. - bonus.ch said it will continue to track annual sentiment toward health insurers and the Swiss system.

The bottom line: - Swiss consumers are signaling a clear limit on higher out-of-pocket costs, even as many still rate their insurers and the system reasonably well.