More health insurers publish next year’s premiums, ahead of changeover period

More Dutch health insurance companies have published their prices for next year, ahead of Monday’s deadline.

CZ, one of the big four insurers which dominate the market, is putting up its premiums by 7.4% or €8.55, for the standard policy. This is less than the 10% rise forecast by the government.

‘It is a hefty increase and we are using €97m of our reserves to soften the blow,’ CZ chairman Wim van de Meeren said. ‘If we don’t do this in the coming years, it will add an extra €2.75 to premiums.’

Nationale Nederland said earlier this week it is increasing its standard policy premiums by €9.02 to €128.60 a month, while Ohra is raising its premiums by €8.34 or 7.7%.

DSW, traditionally the first to announce its fees ahead of the new round of price hikes, said in September it will put up its premiums by €4.50 a month next year.

That will take the cost of a basic health insurance package to €112 a month. Last year, DSW cut its premium charges by 50 cents a month.

Health insurers must all publish their increases by November 13, ahead of the six week window for changing health insurance company.