Many people who changed their health insurance provider during the window of opportunity at the end of the year opted for a higher own-risk policy, research published on Tuesday shows.

According to research carried out by health insurance comparison website Zorgkiezer.nl, 25% of those changing provider this year took a higher own-risk policy, compared with 21% last year and just 12% in 2011.

Almost three-quarters of those who choose the higher own-risk policy take the maximum own-risk of €860. That was 64% last year.

Nearly one-quarter of those who change provider choose the basic package, with 33% taking extra cover for physiotherapy and dental work.

Other popular extra items are support support soles for shoes, ADHD medicine, chiropractice, podotherapy and vaccinations.