To prepare for the cancellation of your supplementary health insurance, start by checking the terms of your current policy, then choose the benefits for your future supplementary cover. Ask the insurers concerned to clarify the end date of the old policy and the start date of the new one: this will allow you to plan the transition with full knowledge of the dates.
When can an individual supplementary policy be cancelled?
A supplementary health insurance policy taken out individually can be freely cancelled at any time after one year of commitment. Most policies are annual and renew automatically; they can also be cancelled at the first annual renewal date. Refer to your policy’s general terms and conditions.
Your insurer must send you a renewal notice each year, at least 15 days before the renewal date. With this notice, it must remind you of the deadline for opting out of the policy’s automatic renewal.
Comparing benefits before changing supplementary health insurers
Depending on the policy chosen, supplementary health insurance covers all or part of the costs reimbursed by the French health insurance system. It is therefore separate from this base coverage. The level and nature of benefits vary between policies.
To compare your old policy with the one you are considering, examine in particular the expenses relevant to you, the benefits offered and the premiums. Also check how reimbursements are expressed: the amount reimbursed by the supplementary insurer may be stated as a percentage of the reimbursement base or in euros.
If you are an employee, also check with your employer before choosing: they may offer you group insurance, which you may be required to join, subject to exceptions.
Arranging the dates with the insurers
Before sending your cancellation request, take time to clarify the schedule with your current insurer and the one you are considering joining:
- Reread your general terms and conditions and identify the renewal date of your current policy.
- Ask your current insurer what steps to take and when your coverage will end.
- Ask the new insurer when the proposed coverage would begin and check the benefits selected.
- Compare these dates before finalising your request, to identify any potential period without supplementary cover or any overlap.
Comparing benefits and premiums does not in itself constitute enrolment. Before committing, ask the chosen insurer to clarify the applicable terms.
For general information on coverage and cancellation, see the Supplementary health coverage page on Service Public.
