Who pays if you have an accident?
In short
If you are employed, your employer's accident insurance pays.
At work always, in your free time if you work at least 8 hours a week for the employer. It pays treatment and from the third day 80 percent of salary. Without an employer, health insurance pays, but without a daily allowance.
GuideTo the answer in a few questions
Who pays if you have an accident?
Two questions, and you know which insurance is responsible and whether you need accident cover in your health insurance.
All answers at a glance
How do you work? Self-employed
You need the accident cover of your health insurance. As a self-employed person you are not compulsorily insured against accidents. Health insurance with accident cover pays the treatment, but no daily allowance for your loss of earnings. You can insure yourself voluntarily under the UVG, for example with Suva.
How do you work? Not working, in education or retired
Health insurance pays, with accident cover. Without an employer you are not insured under the Accident Insurance Act. Your health insurer must include accident cover. It pays the treatment with deductible and co-payment.
How many hours a week do you work for one employer? 8 hours or more
Your employer's accident insurance always pays. You are insured under the UVG at work and in your free time. It pays the treatment without a deductible and from the third day 80 percent of your salary as a daily allowance. You can suspend the accident cover in your health insurance and so save premium.
How many hours a week do you work for one employer? Less than 8 hours
At work the employer pays, in your free time health insurance. You are only insured for occupational accidents under the UVG. Accidents in your free time are paid by your health insurer. So keep the accident cover included.
According to UVG and KVG, as of 2026. With several employers and special cases, your health insurer will advise you. Not advice.
Want to know more?
Who pays when?
| Your situation | At work | In leisure time |
|---|---|---|
| Employed, 8 hours or more a week | Employer’s accident insurance | Employer’s accident insurance |
| Employed, less than 8 hours | Employer’s accident insurance | Health insurance with accident cover |
| Unemployed with benefit | Suva | Suva |
| Self-employed, not working, in education | Health insurance with accident cover | Health insurance with accident cover |
What does accident insurance pay?
- Treatment. Doctor, hospital in the general ward, medicines and aids, without a deductible.
- Daily allowance. From the third day after the accident 80 percent of your insured salary.
- Pensions. For lasting disability or, on death, for the survivors.
What do you do after an accident?
- Inform your employer as soon as possible, for leisure accidents too.
- See a doctor and say that it was an accident.
- Fill in the accident report, usually through the employer.
- Keep the receipts, such as invoices and certificates of incapacity to work.
What many people get wrong
- “An accident on holiday is not insured.” It is. Leisure accidents are covered worldwide if you work at least 8 hours a week.
- “After dismissal I am insured for a long time.” Only 31 days. Think of the interim accident insurance or the accident cover of your health insurance.
- “Health insurance and accident insurance pay the same.” Accident insurance pays without a deductible and with a daily allowance, health insurance without a daily allowance.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay a deductible for an accident?
Not if your employer's accident insurance pays. If health insurance pays, deductible and co-payment apply as for illness.
What applies after dismissal?
Protection for leisure accidents ends 31 days after the last day with at least half pay. With an interim accident insurance from your previous accident insurer you can extend it by up to six months. It must be paid before the 31 days run out.
What is an accident?
A sudden, unintended harmful effect of an unusual external factor on the body. Certain injuries such as torn ligaments are paid by accident insurance even without an accident in the narrow sense.
I am unemployed. Am I insured?
Anyone who receives unemployment benefit is insured against accidents through Suva.
What comes next?
Your path · My job is changing Step 2 of 7
Your next step Can you exclude accident cover from your health insurance?Sources and date 2 October 2026
- ch.ch: Swiss accident insurance, in German
- Suva: Cash benefits, in German
- Suva: Accident insurance, when and how you are insured, in German
- Suva: Seamless accident cover thanks to interim insurance, in German
- FOPH: Start and end of accident insurance cover, in German
- Suva: Insurance cover for the unemployed, in German
This page explains in general terms and does not replace personal advice. Law and your policy are what counts.