What do you need to know about car insurance?
In short
Car insurance consists of compulsory liability and voluntary casco.
Liability pays damage to others, partial casco damage to your car from hail, theft or animals, comprehensive casco also accidents that are your fault. What you need depends mainly on the value of your car.
Sort it out in this order
Want to know more?
The three building blocks
- Liability. Compulsory. Pays damage you cause to others with the car, at least CHF 5 million per event.
- Partial casco. Voluntary. Pays damage to your car from hail, storm, theft, fire, glass breakage and animals.
- Comprehensive casco. Voluntary. Also pays collisions that are your fault. Usually required for leasing.
What can often be chosen on top?
- Passenger insurance. It pays in an accident of your passengers. Often redundant if everyone is already insured through work or health insurance.
- Parking damage. For damage that unknown persons cause to your parked car.
- Bonus protection. Your level stays the same after the first claim.
- Gross negligence. The insurer waives reductions for grave carelessness, usually not for alcohol or speeding.
What do you do after an accident or hail?
Secure the scene, take photos, fill in the European accident report after an accident and report the damage as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
How do I save on car insurance?
Compare premiums every year, choose a higher excess, check switching from comprehensive to partial casco for older cars and pay small claims yourself if that is cheaper than the malus.
When can I change my car insurance?
At the end of the contract, with the notice period in your policy. If the insurer raises the premium, you often have an extraordinary right to cancel.
What comes next?
Your path · I am on the move Step 1 of 8
Your next step What does motor liability insurance pay?Sources and date 2 October 2026
- TCS: Liability, partial or comprehensive casco?, in German
- Ordinance on Traffic Insurance, VVV, in German
This page explains in general terms and does not replace personal advice. Law and your policy are what counts.