Backdating: what is behind it in private health insurance

In private health insurance, the premium is calculated at the start of the contract based on the entry age. The younger the insured person is at the start, the lower the premium over the whole term. If the application comes shortly after a birthday, the plan moves into a more expensive age group. Backdating to a date before the birthday keeps the earlier entry age. The effect is permanent, because the entry age remains part of the premium calculation over the years.

If the start of cover is moved back, the premiums are due from this earlier date. This period is called technical backdating, because it serves only to calculate the entry age. You cannot claim benefits for the past period. The actual cover only starts when the application is accepted. Whether backdating pays off depends on comparing the amount you pay afterwards with the monthly saving over the term.

Insurers limit how far back a contract may be dated. Depending on the company and the plan, a few months are common, in some cases up to one year. Backdating also only makes sense if the saving is higher than the back payment. As part of our advice, we check whether an earlier start is possible in the specific plan and from which saving it pays off.