If you are searching for Switzerland insurance for immigrant, you have landed on the right page.
For those of us who dream of relocating to Switzerland either for study, reuniting with family, or whatever reason, you must know your way around insurance policies.
In Switzerland, insurance is compulsory for everyone, including immigrants.
Keep reading to understand the different types of insurance you can get, how to choose the best one, its importance, cost, and who can apply.
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Types of Insurance for Immigrant in Switzerland
There are several insurance options available in Switzerland.
1. Basic Health Insurance
Basic Insurance is compulsory. When you get this, it will cover basic medical care like when you go to see a doctor, need to stay in the hospital, or need medicine.
Especially in cases when you are sick, pregnant, or need just regular check-ups, this insurance will help cover those costs.
Every immigrant must have this insurance within the first three months of moving to Switzerland. It’s a law that you get the insurance.
Even though all insurance companies offer the same basic plan, the amount you pay, called premiums, will be different depending on which company you choose.
2. Supplementary Health Insurance
If you want something extra, like better hospital rooms, dental treatment, or even using traditional medicine like acupuncture, you can add supplementary insurance.
This one gives you more benefits, but it is not compulsory like basic insurance.
Do you need it? It’s up to you. If you think the basic insurance is not enough or if you want more comfort when you go to the hospital, then you can get this.
But remember, it will cost more, and the company might not accept you if you already have a serious health problem.
3. Accident Insurance
For Employed People: If you are going to work in Switzerland, your employer will give you accident insurance, which will cover you if you have an accident at work or outside work. It also helps if you lose your income because of the accident.
For Self-Employed or Unemployed:
If you don’t have a job or work for yourself, you will have to buy your accident insurance separately. This one is usually added to your health insurance package.
4. Travel Insurance
If you will be traveling outside Switzerland often, it’s good to get travel insurance.
It will cover you in case you have an emergency when traveling, like losing your luggage or needing medical help.
5. Life and Disability Insurance
This type of insurance helps you and your family if something happens to you, like if you pass away or can’t work anymore because of sickness or an accident.
Tips for Choosing the Right Insurance
Choosing the right insurance can be stressful, but here are some tips to help you pick wisely:
1. Compare Prices and Deductibles
Even though basic health insurance covers the same things for everyone, the price (premium) you pay is different from company to company.
The deductible, which is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in, also varies.
If you choose a high deductible, your monthly premium will be lower, but you will pay more from your pocket when you need medical care.
2. Think About Supplementary Insurance
If you feel that you might need extra care, like dental treatment or better hospital facilities, you should think about adding supplementary insurance.
But keep in mind that it will cost more, and if you have a health issue before you apply, they might not accept you.
3. Check Which Doctors are Covered
Some insurance companies might not allow you to choose any doctor you like.
Make sure the insurance plan you choose includes doctors or hospitals you are comfortable with, so you don’t get stranded when you need help.
4. Know the Waiting Periods
Supplementary insurance sometimes has a waiting period, which means that some services won’t be available to you immediately. Read the details carefully before signing up.
Why Insurance is Important for Immigrants
1. Healthcare Access
Switzerland has some of the best healthcare in the world. But if you don’t have insurance, the cost of treatment will marvel you.
Having health insurance will make sure you can see a doctor or go to the hospital without paying too much.
2. It’s the Law
In Switzerland, health insurance is not something you can decide not to have. It’s required by law, and if you don’t have it within three months, you will be fined.
The government may even choose an insurance plan for you, and it may be more expensive than what you could find yourself.
3. Financial Safety
Healthcare is expensive in Switzerland. If you don’t have insurance, something as simple as seeing a doctor or getting surgery can cost you plenty of money.
Health insurance helps protect your wallet by covering these high costs.
4. Peace of Mind
When you have insurance, you don’t have to worry about what will happen if you fall sick. You will know that your medical bills are covered, and you can focus on getting better.
Cost of Insurance in Switzerland
The cost of health insurance depends on where you live, and which company you choose.
Here are some things to think about:
1. Premiums for Basic Insurance
The monthly payment (premium) for basic health insurance is usually between CHF 200 and CHF 500 for adults.
The younger you are, the lower the premium. Also, where you live matters, some areas are more expensive than others.
2. Deductibles
The deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts covering the bills. You can choose between CHF 300 to CHF 2,500 as your deductible.
If you pick a higher deductible, your monthly premium will be lower, but you will have to pay more when you need medical care.
3. Cost of Supplementary Insurance
If you decide to add supplementary insurance, the cost will depend on how much extra coverage you want.
It can cost between CHF 50 to CHF 200 or more per month, depending on your health and what services you want.
4. Accident Insurance
If you are employed, your company will cover your accident insurance. But if you are not employed, you need to buy accident insurance yourself, and it will cost about CHF 100 to CHF 150 a year.
Eligibility for Immigrants
1. Anyone staying in Switzerland for more than three months needs to have health insurance. This includes students, workers, and people joining their families.
2. Registering with the Authorities
When you arrive in Switzerland, you need to register with the local government (commune) within 14 days. You have up to three months to show proof that you have health insurance.
3. Non-EU/EFTA Nationals
If you are not from the EU or EFTA countries, you must follow the same rules as Swiss people when getting health insurance.
But if you have pre-existing health problems, getting supplementary insurance might be difficult.
4. Cross-Border Workers
If you live in a neighboring country but work in Switzerland, you can choose whether you want Swiss health insurance or insurance from your home country.
Switzerland insurance for immigrant is not something you can avoid when you move to Switzerland. It’s required by law and helps you get good services without worrying about high costs.
By choosing the right insurance and understanding how the system works, you can settle into your new life in Switzerland without any issues.
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