Premium Increases in Private Health Insurance: What Insurers Can Do

Getting a notice about a premium increase on your private health policy immediately raises the question: is this even allowed, and why now. In most cases the explanation is simpler than it seems, and traces back to a mechanism agreed on the day you purchased the policy. This guide explains in plain language what is common practice in this area, while stressing that the exact rules always depend on the policy type and current regulation.

The age-based premium table — the most common mechanism

In most individual private health policies (as opposed to group policies), the premium is not fixed for the entire life of the policy. Instead, at the time of purchase an age-bracket premium table is agreed: as the insured moves into a higher age bracket, the premium rises according to a schedule that was set in advance and appears in the policy specification sheet or terms. This is usually the most common driver of a rising monthly payment, and it is known and disclosed upfront — not a decision made after the fact.

Keep in mind that the brackets, the pace, and the size of each step vary between policies and companies, so there's no substitute for checking the specific table in your own policy documents.

Premium increases tied to claims — what's common and what isn't

A question that comes up often: can filing a claim make my policy more expensive? As a general rule, in individual private health insurance the insurer should not raise a specific policyholder's premium just because they filed claims — unlike some other insurance lines, where claims history can affect pricing at renewal. This is a general principle only, not an absolute guarantee, and the exact rules depend on the policy type (individual vs. group/collective) and current regulation. If something in the insurer's conduct seems to go beyond this, it's worth checking your specific policy wording and consulting an authorized professional.

Group policies work differently

Group or collective policies — for example through an employer, organization, or association — are built on a different mechanism than an individual policy. In this kind of policy, the group's overall terms, including price, can sometimes be renegotiated between the group organizer and the insurer, for instance when the group agreement is renewed. This is fundamentally different from the fixed age bracket that characterizes an individual policy, and it means terms can change on a broader scale and at a timing set by the group agreement, rather than only by the insured's age. If you're not sure which type of policy you have, it's worth reading the comparison of group vs. private policies to understand the practical differences.

What to do if your premium rose or terms changed

If you received notice of a premium increase or a change in policy terms you're not happy with, it's worth exploring a few directions: reviewing the guaranteed terms of your current policy, comparing offers from other insurers, and in some cases considering a switch. That said, it's important to stress: switching to a different health insurer at an older age or with a claims history usually triggers new underwriting, and can lead to exclusions for existing medical conditions that weren't excluded under the old policy. Before deciding to switch, it's worth reading the guide on switching insurers to understand the risks and recommended steps.

Before you cancel — confirm the replacement is in force

Even once you've decided to move to another insurer, cancelling the existing policy only makes sense after the new policy has been approved and is actually in force. Cancelling too early can leave you without coverage, and can sometimes affect continuity-of-coverage rights. Details on how to cancel and the relevant rights appear in the guide on policy cancellation rights.

Before anything else — reread your original policy

Before assuming a premium increase is improper, the first and simplest step is to go back to the premium table and indexation terms in your original policy documents. Often the increase matches exactly the bracket agreed in advance, and sometimes there is indeed room for further clarification. If the documents aren't at hand, now is the time to get your policy documents and read them carefully.

How Ravit can help

Ravit helps you understand what your policy actually says, including its premium and indexation clauses. You send your policy documents on WhatsApp, ask in free language — for example "Do I have an age-based premium table?" or "What happens to my premium in five years?" — and get an answer grounded in your specific policy, with a pointer to the relevant clause so you can verify it yourself. When the information is partial or ambiguous, Ravit says so honestly and flags low confidence instead of guessing.

The information in this article is general only and does not constitute medical, insurance, legal, or pension advice, and is not a substitute for reading your policy terms or consulting a licensed professional. Coverage, amounts, and conditions vary between policies and change over time — always verify against your own specific policy and an authorized professional.