Three in 10 people don’t trust health insurance companies but they do generate more confidence than banks, according to consumer market research group GFK and Trust Compass Onderzoek.

The survey of over 2,000 people found health insurers merit an average confidence rating of 5.9 out of 10, compared with 7.4 for healthcare workers and 5.4 for banks.

The survey shows negative publicity in the press has had an impact on people’s trust in their insurance company and one in five said they had lost confidence in their insurer as a result. Although the industry overall merits a rating of 5.9, people give their own insurer an average rating of 7.3.

In particular, people have doubts about their integrity, their competence and the way they fulfill their social role, the GFK survey found.

Consumers would like health insurers to improve transparency about what happens to their premiums, be more open about what policies actually cover and to respond more quickly to complaints.