Is Private Room Insurance Worth It? Decision Guide

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The Honest Question: Do I Need Private Room Insurance?

Private room insurance is the "Mercedes" among private health insurances in Austria. But do you really need a Mercedes – or is a bicycle enough?

In this guide, we don't give you a marketing answer, but an honest analysis: When is private room insurance worth it, when not? For a comprehensive overview, see our Health Insurance Guide.

What Does Private Room Coverage Offer?

The Core Benefits

In Hospital:

• Private room instead of shared room (4-8 beds)
• Free choice of hospital (public or private)
• Treatment by chief physician
• Better catering and hotel comfort
• Shorter waiting times for planned operations

What It Does NOT Cover:

• Private doctor visits outside the hospital
• Outpatient treatments
• Dental treatments

The Costs

Entry Age	Monthly Premium	Annual Costs	Costs Over 30 Years
25 years	approx. €55	€660	approx. €19,800
35 years	approx. €75	€900	approx. €27,000
45 years	approx. €100	€1,200	approx. €36,000

Example values for a private room tariff without deductible. Actual premiums vary by provider and tariff.

The Decision Check: 10 Questions

Answer these questions honestly. Count the "Yes" answers.

1. How Often Have You Been in Hospital in the Last 10 Years?

• 0 times: Haven't used private room coverage
• 1-2 times: Average
• 3+ times: Above average, high benefit possible

2. Do You Have Chronic Conditions?

• No: Lower probability of hospital stays
• Yes: Higher benefit from private room coverage

3. How Important Is Privacy in Hospital to You?

• Doesn't matter: Shared room is okay
• Important: Private room has value for you

4. Are You Planning Surgery in the Coming Years?

• No: Little concrete benefit
• Yes (knee, hip, back, etc.): High benefit

5. How Old Are You?

• Under 35: Low premiums, but also low risk
• 35-50: Good time, premiums still moderate
• Over 50: Higher premiums, but also higher risk

6. Are You Planning a Family?

• Yes: Private room for birth can offer comfort
• No/Completed: This aspect doesn't apply

7. Can You Afford €50-100+/Month?

• No problem: Budget available
• Tight: Consider priorities

8. What Is Your Risk Tolerance?

• Risk-tolerant: "If something happens, I'll pay myself"
• Risk-averse: "I want to be covered"

9. How Do You Rate the Public Healthcare System?

• Good enough: Trust in public hospitals
• Concerned: Waiting times and quality worry you

10. Do You Already Have Private Doctor Insurance?

• No: Private room alone only covers hospital
• Yes: Complete coverage with private room makes sense

Evaluation

"Yes" Answers	Recommendation
0-3	Private room coverage is probably not necessary for you. Check cheaper alternatives like accident tariffs.
4-6	Private room coverage can be sensible. Weigh up and compare tariffs with deductible.
7-10	Private room coverage is probably sensible for you. Compare tariffs and sign up soon.

The Cost-Benefit Calculation

Scenario 1: The "Never Sick" Type

Profile:

• 35 years, healthy
• 0 hospital stays in 20 years
• No surgeries planned

Calculation:

• Premiums over 20 years: approx. €18,000
• Benefits received: €0
• Balance: -€18,000

Conclusion: Purely financially a loss. But: Insurance is risk protection, not an investment return.

Scenario 2: The Average Family

Profile:

• 35 years, 2 children
• 2 births in private room
• 1 knee surgery at 50

Calculation:

• Premiums over 20 years: approx. €18,000
• 2 births private room: approx. €6,000 value
• 1 knee surgery private: approx. €12,000 value
• Balance: ±0 or slight plus

Conclusion: About break-even. Plus: Comfort and shorter waiting times.

Scenario 3: The "Unlucky" Person

Profile:

• 35 years
• 1 disc surgery at 45
• 1 hip surgery at 52
• 1 heart valve surgery at 58

Calculation:

• Premiums over 25 years: approx. €25,000
• Disc surgery private: approx. €15,000
• Hip surgery private: approx. €20,000
• Heart valve surgery private: approx. €30,000
• Balance: +€40,000

Conclusion: The insurance has paid for itself multiple times.

Alternatives to Full Coverage

1. Option Tariff (Private Room After Accident)

What is it?

• Affordable entry tariff (from approx. €10-15/month)
• Private room for accidents immediately
• Option to upgrade to full coverage later

For whom?

• Young people with tight budget
• Those who want to keep the later upgrade option open
• Those who primarily need accident coverage

2. Private Room with High Deductible

What is it?

• Full private room benefits
• But: €1,000-2,000 deductible per stay
• Premium 30-50% cheaper

For whom?

• Those who can afford the deductible
• Those who rarely need hospital care
• Those who want to save on premiums

3. Private Doctor Insurance Only

What is it?

• No hospital coverage
• But: Private doctor visits outside hospital covered
• Cheaper than private room coverage

For whom?

• Those who find public hospitals okay
• Those who visit private doctors more often
• Those who prioritize outpatient care

When Is Private Room Coverage Definitely Worth It?

Clear recommendation for:

1. Planned Major Surgeries

   • Knee, hip, back, heart
   • Waiting times in the public system: 6-12+ months
   • Private: Weeks

2. Chronic Conditions

   • Regular hospital stays likely
   • Comfort important for longer stays

3. Family Planning

   • Births in private room are more relaxed
   • Baby option secures child coverage

4. High Security Needs

   • "I don't want to have to think about it"
   • Peace of mind and security have value

When Is Private Room Coverage Probably Not Worth It?

Rather not recommended for:

1. Young, Healthy People Without Concrete Need

   • Statistically rarely in hospital
   • Premiums over decades add up

2. Very Tight Budget

   • Other financial priorities more important
   • Public insurance covers basic care

3. Short-Term Stay in Austria

   • Emigration planned
   • Insurance not transferable

4. Already Existing Pre-existing Conditions

   • High premiums or rejection likely
   • Accident tariff as alternative

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Take Out the Insurance Later?

Yes, but: Premiums increase with age. And: Pre-existing conditions can lead to exclusions or rejection. The earlier, the better.

What Happens If I Can No Longer Pay the Premiums?

You can usually switch to a cheaper tariff (e.g., with deductible) or cancel. A new contract is then at worse conditions.

Is Treatment in Public Hospitals Really That Bad?

No, medical quality in Austria is generally high. The difference lies in comfort (private room, catering) and waiting times.

Private Room or Private Doctor – What's More Important?

For most people: Private doctor. You go to the doctor more often than to hospital. Ideally, a combined tariff.

Conclusion: Your Personal Decision

The question "Is private room coverage worth it?" has no blanket answer. It depends on:

• Your health status
• Your age
• Your budget
• Your security needs
• Your concrete plans (surgeries, family planning)

Our Recommendation:

1. Do the decision check above
2. Calculate your personal cost-benefit balance
3. Compare multiple tariffs
4. Decide based on facts, not marketing

Related Articles:

• Private Health Insurance Austria – Main Page
• Health Insurance Over 50: Is It Still Worth It?
• Health Insurance at 30: When Is the Right Time?
• Baby Health Insurance Without Health Questions
• Public Doctor Wait Times Austria 2026
• Outpatient Insurance – Private Doctor Guide
• UNIQA vs. Merkur Health Insurance Comparison

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Disclaimer: The calculations and scenarios serve as guidance and do not replace individual consultation. Actual costs and benefits vary by provider and tariff.