Some insurance plans differ primarily in that they offer rates based on gender, meaning there is no gender equality in insurance premiums. Men and women pay different premiums for the same coverage from the insurer. This also applies to private health insurance (PKV), and in December 2012, lawmakers passed an amendment based on the EU Gender Equality Directive. Starting in December 2012, so-called “unisex” rates will be introduced, meaning there will no longer be a distinction based on whether the policyholder is a man or a woman. Other types of insurance affected by this change include private pension insurance and auto insurance. What distinguishes men and women in terms of premium calculations for private health insurance:
- Basic Classification by Age, Health Status, and Gender
- As of the reference date, excluding gender weighting
- Women's statistically higher life expectancy leads to higher costs
- Women visit the doctor more often and go for preventive checkups more frequently
- In the future, men will have to pay more for private health insurance
However, since the new regulations currently apply only to new policies, men in particular who are looking to switch private health insurance providers could save money by taking out a new private health insurance policy before the changes take effect. Switching now could mean savings of up to 20% on your premium, and your entry age will also be lower than it will be next year. Further information is also available at PKV-Vergleich.de.
Equality in Insurance Premiums—Men
Even if you’re a man planning to switch private health insurance providers—or even switch from public to private health insurance for the first time—that means you need to act quickly now. If you’re unable to do so or don’t want to make the switch just yet—perhaps because you haven’t quite exceeded the income threshold—there’s a way to help yourself. Deferred enrollment appears to be a response to the new unisex rates and a solution for anyone who doesn’t want to or can’t switch right now but doesn’t want to miss out on the lower rates. In the corresponding membership application, you declare that you are seeking deferred enrollment in the plan until the policy’s actual term begins. With deferred enrollment, you must pay approximately 5% of the normal premium.
Equal Treatment in Insurance Premiums and Potential Problems
At present, the new regulation is intended to apply only to new contracts; it remains to be seen whether the European Court of Justice’s ruling will also be applied to existing private health insurance contracts. If existing contracts were also affected, new female policyholders would have a financial advantage over long-term customers. A wealth of useful information can be found at http://www-pkv-vergleich.de/private-krankenversicherung-test; this portal also allows for a direct comparison.
