Household contents insurance, how much cover you need

How high should you insure your household contents?

In short

Household contents insurance pays for your belongings at replacement value if fire, water, natural hazards or burglary destroy them.

If your insured sum is lower than the value of your belongings, you are underinsured. Then the insurer pays every claim only in proportion.

As of 13 October 2026 · VVG Art. 69 · Sources fedlex.data.admin.ch, ch.ch, cms.vkg.ch

CalculatorWith your numbers

How much does your household contents insurance pay?

Estimate what it would cost to buy everything in your flat new. Compare that with the sum in your policy.

What does all your household contents cost new?

Furniture, clothes, devices, bike, sports gear. Most people underestimate this.

CHF

Insured sum in your policy

CHF

Assumed damage

For example a water damage in the kitchen.

CHF

The insurer pays

CHF 6,250

You pay yourself

CHF 3,750without excess

Damage

CHF 10,000

Paid

CHF 6,250

You are insured to 63 percent. That is why the insurer only pays 63 percent of every claim. Raise the sum to around CHF 80,000.

Calculation according to VVG Art. 69. Many policies waive the reduction for small claims. That is in your terms. Not advice.

Want to know more?

What does household contents insurance cover?

Hazard	Covered
Fire and natural hazards	Yes
Water from pipes	Usually yes, as a component
Burglary and robbery	Yes
Theft away from home	Only with an extension
Glass breakage	Only with an extension
Damage you cause to others	No, personal liability is for that

How does underinsurance work?

The insurer pays in proportion of the insured sum to the actual value. If you are only insured to 60 percent, it also pays only 60 percent of every claim, even if the claim is small.

What does that mean in francs?

Your household contents are worth CHF 80,000 new. You have insured CHF 50,000. A water damage costs CHF 10,000.

	Amount
Insurance ratio	50,000 of 80,000, so 62.5 percent
The insurer pays	CHF 6,250
You pay yourself	CHF 3,750 plus excess

Try it in the calculator above with your own numbers.

What many people get wrong

“I don’t have much, a small sum is enough.” Clothes, kitchen, electronics and sports gear quickly add up to CHF 50,000 and more.
“The sum only matters in a total loss.” Wrong. Underinsurance also cuts small claims.
“After moving, the old sum still fits.” Check it after every move, every marriage and every major purchase.

Is household contents insurance compulsory?

In some cantons, insuring household contents against fire and natural hazards is compulsory, for example in Nidwalden and in Vaud. In most cantons it is voluntary, but highly recommended.

How do I find the right sum?

Walk through every room in your mind and estimate what everything costs new. Many insurers have checklists for this. As a rough aid some use an amount per room.

What is a waiver of underinsurance?

Many policies waive checking for underinsurance for small claims or with a flat sum. This is in your terms and worth knowing.

Is my bike also insured when I am out?

Only with the extension for simple theft away from home. Without it the bike is only insured against burglary at home.

2 more questions

Which damages does household contents insurance pay for?

Household contents insurance pays for damage to your belongings caused by fire, natural hazards and burglary. Water from pipes is usually covered as a component. Glass breakage and theft away from home are only insured with an extension, and damage to others is paid by personal liability insurance.

How much does household contents insurance cost?

The premium depends mainly on the insured sum and on the extensions you choose. The excess and where you live also play a role. A low sum saves premium but costs you more in a claim, as the example above shows.

This page explains in general terms and does not replace personal advice. Law and your policy are what counts.