Note the deadlines when changing travel insurance

It is not always a change of travel insurance that is sought. It is also possible to cancel the travel insurance and not take out any other insurance of this type. The procedure is always the same. Important: The insurers sometimes have different notice periods; these must be observed and can be found in the general insurance conditions. 

The deadlines are often three months, sometimes only two months or even four weeks. If you miss the deadline, you have to accept an extension of the travel insurance. This is contractually regulated; the policyholder has agreed to the extension by signing the contract. The travel insurance is always extended by one year and can then normally only be canceled at the end of the next insurance year.

Important: Be sure to have a look at the general insurance conditions if you want to cancel the travel insurance! Even if a one-year contract term is common, some providers sell their insurance policies with significantly longer terms and bind their policyholders for two or even three years. As a result, the insurance can only be regularly canceled for the first time at the end of this period. Before taking out such insurance, consumer advocates regularly advise against, because these insurance companies put the insured at a disadvantage unnecessarily.

It's easy to terminate

Travel insurance, like any other insurance, is terminated in writing at best. Some experts even recommend sending the cancellation by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt so that proof of receipt of the letter by the insurance company is available. If the latter does not terminate the contract and the premiums for the next insurance year are debited, legal action can be taken accordingly. After all, the insured person has proof in hand!

Before canceling travel insurance, you should make an insurance comparison. Which other provider comes into question, what are their services and how high the premiums? You can easily make this comparison here on neotralo.ch, but it only needs to be carried out if you actually want to take out travel insurance again.

Once you have found a provider that is suitable for you, you should apply for insurance there. This is usually completely uncomplicated online. If you have the confirmation that your insurance has been taken over, you can send the letter to them with the cancellation of the previous travel insurance. In view of the length of time it takes to settle and conclude a new insurance policy, it is advisable to start the preparatory work at least four weeks before the date of termination. In this way you can be sure that you really get the complete insurance you want.

You will now receive a confirmation or a confirmation of cancellation from your old travel insurance. It is important that you have sent your cancellation notice to collect the rewards from your account with the letter of termination. The old travel insurance is therefore prohibited from collecting the new insurance premiums for the coming year. Should this happen anyway, the bank can get back the money that was illegally debited.

Conclusion: terminate travel insurance in a legally secure manner: Only with observance of the notice period!

The requirements for canceling travel health insurance are similar to those for canceling other insurance companies. They must be terminated in good time and thus in compliance with the agreed notice period. Sometimes that's three months, sometimes only one month has to be considered. If this deadline is missed, the travel insurance contract is automatically extended by another year and can therefore only be canceled again. 

The termination must be made in writing; termination by email or telephone is generally not permitted. The best way of secure termination is to send the same by registered mail. If it is sent by fax, the receipt should be kept. Important: Do not cancel the old insurance until a new one already exists or becomes effective immediately afterwards.