Swiss Insurance Essentials: What You Need and What You Do Not

Mandatory insurance, the sensible extras and the policies that are often oversold.

6 min read · Insurance & Health

Life situations: Starting a job · Moving to Switzerland

Switzerland has many mandatory insurances. On top of those, a small number of voluntary policies protect against truly expensive events.

Mandatory

• Basic health insurance (KVG).
• Accident insurance for employees (UVG), paid by the employer for work accidents; non-work accident cover is part of the employee's package if working at least 8 hours per week.
• AHV/IV/EO, ALV and, above the threshold, pension fund.
• Motor liability for cars.

Strongly recommended

• Private liability: covers damage you cause to others. Usually CHF 100–200 per year with a CHF 5–10 million cover.
• Household contents insurance: fire, water, theft, with a guaranteed sum that matches your belongings.
• Disability income cover for the self-employed, and for employees with high spending commitments. Check the gap between IV, pension fund and your income.
• Risk life insurance if others depend on your income – term cover is cheaper than endowment policies.

Often optional

Legal protection can pay off in tenancy or work disputes. Supplementary hospital insurance depends on your preferences and health; it requires health questions, so cancelling is easy but returning is not. Avoid combining savings and insurance in the same product, as costs are high.

Quantify the gaps with the disability gap calculator and life insurance need calculator.