Steep rises for health ‘top-ups’

Companies have partly blamed the new “100% santé” offers (see here) for free hearing aids and glasses.

Patients’ group France Assos Santé notes that insurers had promised they would not make increases based solely on the 100% santé.

In some cases, increases have been put down to “rebalancing” of loss-making contracts.

Over the last decade, top-up premiums have increased by around 50% in total. Many revise their rates every January.

Contracts can include clauses allowing you to cancel if the rises are unusually high.