Bonus insurance

What is bonus insurance?

Bonus insurance (Bonusversicherung) is a special type of compulsory health insurance. It rewards years without claiming benefits with a lower premium. The Federal Council authorised it on the basis of Art. 62 para. 2 let. b of the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG): the amount of the premium may depend on whether you have claimed benefits during a certain period.

The model works in a similar way to a bonus-malus system in motor insurance, but with fixed rules set out in the Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV). Insurers may not set the levels and percentages themselves. The scope of benefits remains the same as in ordinary basic health insurance, the standard model.

Bonus insurance is one of the special types of insurance, alongside optional deductibles and models with a restricted choice of service provider such as the HMO or GP model. It should not be confused with bonus programmes in supplementary insurance, which are governed by the Insurance Contract Act (ICA).

How it works

You start at the highest premium level, level 4. There, you pay the initial premium, which is 10% above the premium for ordinary insurance. Each calendar year without benefits claimed moves you down one level the following year. If you claim benefits in a year, you move up one level the following year.

The observation period is the calendar year. The insurer may bring the observation period forward by a maximum of three months, for example to October to September. The date of a benefit is the date of treatment, not the invoice date. Benefits for maternity and for medical prevention do not count.

Two further limits apply. Bonus insurance may not be combined with an optional deductible, so you always have the standard deductible of CHF 300. And the premium for any special type of insurance must be at least 50% of the premium for ordinary insurance with accident cover (Art. 90c KVV).

You can only switch to bonus insurance at the start of a calendar year. You can leave it or switch insurer at the end of the year with the normal deadlines under Art. 7 KVG. If you have to switch during the year because of a premium increase, a move or a change of job, the new insurer must take into account your period without claims, provided it offers bonus insurance and you join it.

Legal basis

Art. 62 para. 2 let. b KVG allows the Federal Council to authorise types of insurance in which the premium depends on the benefits claimed. Art. 62 para. 2bis KVG prohibits insuring the loss of the premium reduction. The details are set out in the KVV: Art. 96 governs the principle, the observation period and the exclusion of optional deductibles, Art. 97 joining and leaving, and Art. 98 the premiums, with the initial premium of plus 10% and the five levels. The minimum premium is set out in Art. 90c KVV.

Example: five years without seeing a doctor

The basis is the average monthly premium for adults in 2026 of CHF 465.30 (FOPH, press release of 23.09.2025). Here, it stands for the premium for ordinary insurance. The initial premium for bonus insurance is 110% of that, i.e. CHF 511.83. The calculation uses the statutory levels from Art. 98 KVV; your insurer’s premium may differ.

What this means for you

Bonus insurance is only worthwhile if you are certain not to claim any benefits for several years. The first year is always more expensive than ordinary insurance. So compare it with a high optional deductible or a model with a restricted choice of service provider, which are cheaper from the first year.

Check in the premium calculator which models are offered where you live. You will find the key figures for each insurer under Health insurers. Report a change of model in good time; the dates are listed under Deadlines. We explain how the model and the premium influence each other under How we calculate.

Common mistakes

• Overlooking the starting surcharge. In the first year, you pay 10% more than with ordinary insurance.
• Expecting an optional deductible. In bonus insurance, the standard deductible of CHF 300 always applies.
• Avoiding prevention. Preventive care and maternity benefits do not cost you a level. If you skip them for fear of losing your bonus, you are saving in the wrong place.
• Confusing bonus insurance with a bonus in supplementary insurance. Only bonus insurance in basic health insurance has the fixed levels set out in the KVV.