Insurance
The Swiss like to be insured against every risk, and everything can be insured. You will find the most common insurances below.
Health insurance
Health insurance is mandatory in Switzerland. However, people choose and pay it privately. The basic benefits are defined by federal law, every insurance company must include them in their basic package. Insurance companies are obliged to accept everyone for the basic package, however, they can reject applications for extra benefits. The monthly fees vary from company to company and from canton to canton. In order to reduce the fees, patients can opt to pay some of the health costs themselves, or to see a doctor approved by the insurance company.
Personal liability insurance
One can be exposed to a great variety of potential liability risks in one's day-to-day life. Damaging third-party property or injuring another person establishes an obligation to pay compensation. Compensation claims can be extremely high when individuals are involved. The "Privathaftpflicht-Versicherung" (personal liability insurance) protects the policy holder against such financial risks.
Household contents insurance
Losses caused by fire and natural disasters, theft, water and broken glass are risks to which household property is exposed at all times. The "Hausrat-Versicherung" (household contents insurance) protects furniture and personal effects against such risks.
Motor vehicle insurance
The "Motorfahrzeug-Versicherungs-Police"(motor vehicle insurance policies) can be tailored to meet the particular requirements of any individual. Third-party liability insurance is obligatory, and covers injuries to persons and damage to property. Partial vehicle insurance provides cover against fire, theft, damage caused by natural events, collisions with animals etc. Fully-comprehensive insurance policies extend cover to include collisions involving the policy holders own vehicles.
Legal expenses insurance
Non-lawyers often find it difficult to safeguard their legal rights. In the event of disputes with neighbours, with employers, with tour operators or in the event of road accidents, the "Rechtsschutz-Versicherung" (legal expenses insurance) acts as a partner in the interests of policy holders.
