THE HAGUE, 06/11/08 - The basic premium of health insurers in the Netherlands will go up next year by 0.8 percent on average. The premium for supplementary insurance is to climb an average 7.0 percent, a survey by independent comparisons website Verzekeringssite.nl shows.

All big health insurers have announced their premiums for 2009. Together, they insure over 90 percent of the Dutch. Apart from CZ, which is not changing its basic premium from this year, Achmea, Menzis and VGZ are all raising their basic premiums.

The basic premium at any rate covers the healthcare which the government specifies must be covered by the insurers. Health insurer IZZ is raising its basic premium to most, by 2.7 percent. Stad Holland's basic premium is going down the most, by 1.6 percent.

OHRA has the lowest basic premium at 84.74 euros a month, while IZZ's is the most expensive: 101.12 per month. Unive Zekur and online health insurer Anderzorg's basic premiums are expected to be below OHRA's but they have not yet announced their new rates.

All insured persons must receive the new policy conditions for 2009 before 19 November. Policy-holders then have until 1 January 2009 to cancel their old insurance policy. They can join a new insurer up to 1 February. If the insured do nothing, they automatically remain with their present insurer.