If you own or ride a car or motorbike in Switzerland, motor insurance isn’t optional — at least not the basic part. Beyond that, the right cover can save you money, stress and a few long phone calls.
This guide explains, in plain terms, how motor insurance works in Switzerland: what’s compulsory, what’s optional, how health and accident insurance come into play, what documents you need, and what to do when something actually happens — like a cracked windshield or a proper accident.
It’s written for Swiss residents and people dealing with Swiss rules for the first time.
Provided by miavita, an independent digital insurance broker (not an insurer), helping policyholders make sense of insurance with AI-supported insights.
Motor third-party liability insurance (Motorfahrzeug-Haftpflicht / assurance responsabilité civile automobile) is compulsory in Switzerland. Without it, you cannot register a vehicle or drive legally.
Liability insurance pays for bodily injury and property damage you cause to others, including medical costs, repairs, loss of earnings and legal defence. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle — for that, you need optional casco insurance.
Once insured, the insurer issues a confirmation of cover (Bestätigung der Versicherung / attestation d'assurance), which is required by the vehicle registration office.
The core products are simple.
Third-party liability (mandatory) covers damage and injuries you cause to others.
Partial casco (Teilkasko) typically covers non-collision risks such as theft, fire, glass damage, natural hazards and animal collisions — details depend on policy wording.
Full casco (Vollkasko) adds cover for damage to your own vehicle after collisions, even if you caused the accident, and often includes vandalism. It’s commonly chosen for new or high-value vehicles.
Optional extras may include legal protection, roadside assistance, towing and extended cover abroad. You can usually lower premiums by choosing a higher deductible.
Exact cover and limits vary — reading the policy matters.
Motorbike premiums depend on engine size and power, rider age, licence class and experience, claims history, parking situation (garage vs street) and anti-theft measures.
Helmets are mandatory. Some insurers require proof of training or apply stricter rules for bonus protection after claims.
Seasonal or storage declarations are common for bikes used only part of the year. Motorcycle policies vary more than car policies, so asking direct questions usually pays off.
Pedelecs with assistance up to 25 km/h are generally treated as bicycles. Damage you cause to others is usually covered by personal liability insurance, while theft or damage may be covered under household contents insurance, subject to limits.
Speed-pedelecs over 25 km/h are classified as motor vehicles (mopeds) and require registration, a licence, a helmet and motor third-party liability insurance.
If you’re unsure which category your e-bike falls into, check before assuming coverage.
When you borrow a vehicle, the owner’s motor liability insurance normally applies and covers third-party damage, provided you had permission to drive.
Some personal or household liability policies offer limited cover for driving third-party vehicles, but this is not standard and usually comes with conditions and limits.
Coverage is typically excluded if the driver had no valid licence, was intoxicated or used the vehicle for racing.
Before borrowing, it’s worth checking the owner’s policy — and your own.
Personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) covers everyday accidents caused by you or members of your household, such as damaging someone’s property or injuring a third party outside traffic.
It is voluntary but strongly recommended and often required by landlords. Typical coverage amounts are CHF 3’000’000, CHF 5’000’000 or CHF 10’000’000.
Personal liability does not replace motor third-party liability, which is mandatory for cars and motorbikes. Some personal liability policies include limited cover for borrowed vehicles, but wording differs.
Basic health insurance (LAMal/KVG) covers medically necessary treatment. For traffic accidents, who pays depends on your situation.
Employed persons are usually insured for occupational and non-occupational accidents through employer accident insurance (UVG/SUVA or private UVG).
If no accident insurance applies — for example for some self-employed or unemployed persons — basic health insurance covers accident treatment.
Income replacement is paid through accident insurance or supplementary daily allowance policies, depending on status. Supplementary hospital insurance improves comfort, not statutory benefits.
Accidents should always be reported promptly, with documentation kept.
Premiums are calculated individually.
Key factors include:
Premiums can vary significantly between insurers, even for similar profiles. Comparing offers is usually worthwhile.
You typically need:
Your insurer provides the confirmation of cover required for vehicle registration.
Typical costs include:
Exact costs depend on your vehicle, profile and insurer — quotes are the only reliable reference.
If something is important to you, ask explicitly before signing.
Ensure safety first and call emergency services if needed:
Exchange details with other parties, take photos of the scene and damage, and complete the European Accident Statement if appropriate.
Report the claim promptly to your insurer.
For windshield damage caused by a stone, contact your insurer directly and use an approved repair partner — partial casco usually covers glass damage.
For theft or vandalism, file a police report before claiming.
Premiums are affected by the number and severity of claims and whether you were at fault.
At-fault accidents typically reduce your no-claims bonus and increase premiums. Repeated claims can lead to surcharges or non-renewal in extreme cases.
When switching insurers, request a bonus certificate for transfer.
Situations that deserve extra attention include:
Some household liability policies offer limited temporary cover in specific cases, but limits and conditions apply.
For anything unusual, written confirmation from the insurer is advisable.
Consider a higher deductible if you can afford it. Park in a garage where possible, use anti-theft devices, take recognised driving or riding courses and review your insurance annually.
Avoid unnecessary claims to protect your bonus. Small choices often make a noticeable difference over time.
Compare not only price but also coverage scope, deductibles, exclusions, assistance services and claims handling.
Check bonus transfer rules and cancellation deadlines — motor liability must remain uninterrupted for registration.
Digital comparison tools and licensed Swiss brokers can help. miavita is an independent digital insurance broker (not an insurer) and can assist with comparisons and administrative steps.
Car and motorbike insurance in Switzerland is built around compulsory motor third-party liability, with optional casco and add-ons that protect your vehicle and finances.
Costs depend on your vehicle, profile and canton. Read policy terms carefully, especially for glass damage, borrowed vehicles and e-bikes.
Keep documents organised and report incidents promptly. If you want support comparing cover and costs, a registered broker can help.
miavita offers independent, AI-assisted comparisons and explains both benefits and limits clearly.
An anonymized Swiss case: A 34‑year‑old motorbike rider based in Zurich collided with a car at an intersection. The rider was injured and the bike suffered significant damage.
Medical treatment was paid through the appropriate accident/health insurers according to the rider’s employment/insurance status (employer accident insurance covered occupational aspects; any remaining medical treatment would be processed via basic health insurance if applicable). The car driver’s third‑party liability covered the rider’s claim for medical costs and loss of earnings where fault lay with the driver.
The rider had partial casco and could claim for theft or certain non‑collision losses, but collision damage to the rider’s own bike following an at‑fault accident would only be covered by full casco.
The claim process required a police report, the European Accident Statement where used, prompt notification to insurers and documentation of medical bills.
The case shows how motor liability, casco choices and Swiss health/accident insurance interact, and why timely reporting and the right mix of covers matter.
[Suggestion: specific outcomes depend on exact policy wordings and fault determinations.]
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