Private Room Insurance: With or Without Deductible?

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Deductible for Private Room Insurance: Is It Worth It?

The decision between private room insurance with or without deductible is one of the most important when taking out private health insurance. A deductible can reduce the monthly premium by 30-50% - but does it pay off?

What Is a Deductible?

Definition

The deductible (also called excess or co-payment) is the amount you must pay yourself in case of a claim before the insurance pays.

Example:

Hospital stay: €5,000 Deductible: €1,000 Insurance pays: €4,000 You pay: €1,000

Common Deductibles in Austria

Deductible	Typical Premium Savings	Level
€0	Reference (100%)	No deductible
€590	approx. 30-35%	Low
€1,000	approx. 40-45%	Medium
€1,500	approx. 45-50%	High
€2,000+	approx. 50-55%	Very high

Break-Even Analysis: When Does Which Deductible Pay Off?

Calculation Example 40-Year-Old

Variant	Monthly Premium	Annual Cost	Deductible
Without deductible	€150	€1,800	€0
With €1,000 deductible	€90	€1,080	€1,000
Annual Savings	€60	€720	-

When the Deductible Pays Off

Scenario 1: No Hospital Stay in 5 Years

• Savings with deductible: 5 x €720 = €3,600 saved

Scenario 2: One Stay in 2 Years

• Savings in 2 years: €1,440
• Minus deductible: €1,000
• Net savings: €440 saved

Scenario 3: Annual Hospital Stay

• Annual savings: €720
• Minus deductible: €1,000
• Net loss: €280 extra costs

Rule of Thumb: A €1,000 deductible pays off if you need hospital care on average less than once every 1.5 years.

Pros and Cons Overview

Advantages of Deductible

Advantage	Explanation
Lower Premium	30-50% less monthly costs
Predictable Expenses	Monthly burden constant and calculable
Personal Responsibility	More conscious use of medical services
Flexibility	Savings can be invested or used otherwise

Disadvantages of Deductible

Disadvantage	Explanation
Risk in Illness	Up to €1,500 out-of-pocket per stay
Multiple Stays	Deductible usually applies per year, not per stay
Liquidity Required	Deductible must be available when needed
Psychological Barrier	Some avoid necessary treatments

Decision Guide: Which Deductible Suits Me?

Recommendation by Profile

Profile	Recommendation	Reasoning
Young & healthy	High deductible (€1,000-1,500)	Low risk, maximum savings
Family with children	Low deductible (€590)	Children get sick more often
Older persons (50+)	No or low deductible	Higher risk of stays
Chronically ill	No deductible	Regular treatments likely
High earners	High deductible (€1,500+)	Deductible financially manageable
Tight budget	Medium deductible (€590-1,000)	Balance between premium and risk

Frequently Asked Questions About Deductibles

Does the Deductible Apply Per Stay or Per Year?

This varies by insurer:

• Per stay: Each hospital visit = new deductible
• Per year: Paid once, further stays in the same year are covered

Most tariffs in Austria have an annual deductible, which is cheaper with multiple stays.

Can I Change the Deductible Later?

Basically yes, but:

• From deductible to no deductible: Usually with new health check
• From no deductible to deductible: Generally unproblematic
• Between deductible variants: Varies by insurer

What Happens with Accidents?

Many tariffs provide no deductible for accidents. Check your tariff conditions carefully.

Conclusion: Private Room With or Without Deductible?

The decision depends on your individual situation:

Deductible recommended if:

• You're young and healthy
• You rarely need hospital care
• You can financially bear the deductible
• You want to benefit from premium savings

Without deductible recommended if:

• You have chronic illnesses
• You're over 50 years old
• You want complete coverage
• You expect multiple stays per year

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Disclaimer: The calculations and recommendations in this article serve as guidance and are based on typical market conditions. Actual premiums and deductible options vary by insurer. For personal advice, contact an insurance advisor. CheckEverything.at assumes no liability for the accuracy of the information.