Insurance in Switzerland
The Swiss insurance system is divided into three main categories: personal, property and liability (financial) insurance. Some are required by law, others are optional – but often still worthwhile. Here are the most important types of insurance at a glance.
Category 1
What protects me and my family?
These insurances protect you and your family in the event of illness, accident, disability, old age or death.
Mandatory for everyone resident in Switzerland – within three months of arrival or birth. It covers basic benefits for illness, accident and maternity. Benefits are the same at every health insurer, premiums are not.
Good to know: Same benefits, different prices: comparing is worthwhile every year.
Compare premiumsOffers extra comfort or benefits that basic insurance does not cover – e.g. free choice of hospital, semi-private/private ward, alternative medicine, dental treatment, glasses or cover abroad.
Good to know: The insurer may refuse you after a health check. So only cancel existing supplementary insurance once the new policy is confirmed.
Compare premiumsMandatory for all employees, taken out by the employer. Anyone working at least 8 hours a week for the same employer is also insured for non-occupational accidents. Self-employed people, students, retirees and people not in work include accident cover in their health insurance; self-employed people can also take out voluntary UVG cover.
Good to know: Insured through your employer? Then you can exclude accident cover from your health insurance and save on premiums.
Compare premiumsState pension for old age or for surviving dependants in the event of death. Employees pay via their salary, self-employed and non-working people directly to the compensation office.
State support if you are unable to work for health reasons – with reintegration measures and pensions. Contributions are collected together with AHV.
Mandatory for employees above a legal minimum salary (entry threshold). Together with AHV, it is meant to maintain your usual standard of living in retirement and also covers disability and death.
Good to know: For self-employed people the pension fund is optional – which makes private provision all the more important.
Voluntary private retirement savings. Contributions to pillar 3a (tied pension) can be deducted from taxable income up to an annual maximum; pillar 3b (flexible pension) is more flexible.
Request a quoteProtects your family financially in the event of death or is used to amortise a mortgage. Pure term (risk) insurance is often cheaper than savings policies.
Request a quoteReplaces your salary if you cannot work for a long time due to illness. Many employers have group cover – self-employed people have to arrange it themselves.
Request a quoteCategory 2
What protects my belongings?
These insurances cover damage to personal belongings, vehicles or buildings.
Insures the movable items in your home (furniture, electronics, clothing) against fire, water, theft and natural hazards. In the cantons of Fribourg, Jura, Nidwalden and Vaud it is mandatory against fire and natural hazards, otherwise optional.
Good to know: Check the sum insured regularly – otherwise you risk being underinsured when a claim occurs.
Request a quoteMandatory for property owners in almost all cantons; covers fire and natural hazard damage to the building. In 19 cantons through the cantonal building insurer, in the others with private insurers.
Good to know: Water damage and glass breakage on the building are usually not included – there are add-on covers for that.
Covers damage to your own vehicle. Partial cover pays e.g. for hail, marten damage, glass breakage or theft; full cover also pays for collisions you caused yourself.
Good to know: For leased vehicles, full comprehensive cover is usually required by the contract.
Request a quoteCategory 3
What protects my assets?
These insurances protect your assets against financial claims by third parties if you or your belongings cause damage to others – and against high legal and court costs.
Pays if you unintentionally injure another person or damage their property. Landlords often require it in the tenancy agreement, and for dog owners liability insurance is mandatory in many cantons.
Good to know: Usually cheaper in combination with household contents insurance.
Request a quoteMandatory for every vehicle owner – without proof of insurance you get no number plates. It covers damage you cause with the vehicle to other people or their property.
Good to know: Also applies to fast e-bikes with a yellow number plate.
Request a quoteCovers lawyers’ and court costs in legal disputes – e.g. traffic, private, tenancy or employment law.
Request a quoteSummary
If you live in Switzerland, these insurances are required by law:
As a tenant, your landlord will also often require personal liability insurance – and household contents insurance is highly recommended.
Insurance check
Answer three short questions – we will immediately show you what is mandatory for you, what we strongly recommend and what is worth checking. Your answers stay in your browser.
Mandatory
Strongly recommended
Worth checking
This check is a first orientation and does not replace personal advice.
Personal advice
Double cover, gaps or paying too much? We review your existing policies independently and free of charge and compare the offers of Swiss insurers for you.