There are different levels of cover for your car insurance in Switzerland, one of which is compulsory for driving a vehicle: Civil Liability.
Civil Liability (RC) car insurance
Compulsory car insurance in Switzerland must cover at least Civil Liability (RC). This is the basic guarantee that protects you in the event of an accident and covers up to 100 million francs. This RC car insurance allows you to cover the damage you could cause to others with your car. RC car insurance in Switzerland only covers material and bodily damage caused by your vehicle to another vehicle.
Please note: liability car insurance in Switzerland does not generally cover you if you cause an accident in the event of a traffic violation, drunk driving, etc.
GOOD TO KNOW
All insurance companies in Switzerland offer almost the same RC car insurance.
You can add casco insurance to this RC car insurance: partial casco, collision casco and full casco which have different guarantees.
Partial casco insurance
Partial casco insurance protects you better than simple Civil Liability since it also covers damage caused by a third party to your vehicle.
It may differ from one insurer to another but it generally offers to cover the following damage:
- Damage caused by vandalism such as scratches with keys or a flat tire for example
- Damage caused by collisions with animals
- Damage to windows such as glass breakage caused by stone throwing, for example
- Damage caused by natural disasters such as storms or hail
- Damage caused by fire, lightning or an explosion
- Vehicle theft or damage resulting from attempted theft of the vehicle.
Partial casco insurance is not compulsory for driving a vehicle in Switzerland.
Collision damage insurance
Casco collision insurance goes even further than partial casco insurance since it covers the damage that you could have caused to your vehicle yourself. Casco collision insurance also covers damage that a driver of your vehicle (other than you) could also have caused to your vehicle.
GOOD TO KNOW
If you want to subscribe to a collision casco you must also subscribe to a partial casco insurance.
Note: Collision damage insurance is not compulsory for driving a vehicle in Switzerland.
Comprehensive casco insurance
Comprehensive casco insurance combines both partial casco insurance and collision casco insurance. It provides optimal coverage for your car. Comprehensive casco insurance is highly recommended if you want to insure a new car.
Depending on the insurers, it may also have the following guarantees:
- Bonus coverage
- Salvage, transport and towing costs covered
- Coverage of parking and security costs.
Please note: comprehensive casco insurance is compulsory only if you buy a leased car.
Here is a summary table of the different guarantees according to the level of car insurance:
