Supplementary insurance (VVG)
In one sentence
Everything beyond the basic catalogue: private room, complementary medicine, glasses, dental, abroad.
What it changes for you
The legal difference is decisive: here the insurer may ask health questions, exclude a condition, or refuse outright. A supplementary policy is therefore taken out while healthy, not when needed. Second point: it does not terminate on the same schedule as basic cover — tying it to an insurer switch is the most common November mistake.
Read next
- LAMal (basic insurance)The federal law making health insurance compulsory and setting a benefits catalogue identical at every insurer.
- Notice periodYour letter must have reached the insurer by 30 November for a change on 1 January.
- Obligation to acceptNo insurer may refuse you basic cover, whatever your age or state of health.