Accident cover in Swiss health insurance: who needs it – and who pays twice

Two systems, one rule: KVG and UVG

In Switzerland, accidents are insured through two separate systems. If you are employed and work at least 8 hours a week for the same employer, you are compulsorily insured against occupational and non-occupational accidents under the Accident Insurance Act (UVG) – the employer pays the premium for occupational accidents, while the premium for non-occupational accidents is usually deducted from your salary.

Everyone else covers non-occupational accidents through basic health insurance under the KVG – against occupational accidents, even employees with small workloads are insured through their employer from the first hour of work. That is why every insurer asks whether accident cover should be included when you take out a policy. Paying for both at once does not buy double protection: benefits are never paid out twice.

Who can exclude accident cover

If you work at least 8 hours a week for the same employer, you can have accident cover suspended in your basic insurance. Your premium drops noticeably – the exact reduction varies by insurer and is shown in the premium.

The exclusion carries no risk as long as UVG cover exists: after an accident, the employer's accident insurance pays – with no deductible and no co-payment, a point where the UVG is actually more generous to insured persons than basic insurance.

• Employees working at least 8 hours a week for the same employer: exclusion possible.
• Self-employed people without voluntary UVG insurance: inclusion required.
• Students without a job of 8+ hours a week, non-working persons, retirees: inclusion required.
• Several part-time jobs below 8 hours each: inclusion required – the threshold applies per employer.

Losing your job: the 31-day rule and interim insurance

When employment ends, UVG cover for non-occupational accidents continues for another 31 days. If you do not start a new job right away, you have two options – and you must act before the period expires.

First: interim insurance (Abredeversicherung). It extends your existing UVG cover by up to six months and must be taken out with your previous accident insurer while the 31-day run-on period is still running. Second: re-including accident cover in your basic insurance – a short notice to your health insurer is enough. Miss both and you are not left without treatment cover – the suspended accident cover in basic insurance revives by operation of law – but you must expect retroactive premium claims, and you lose the more comprehensive UVG benefits such as daily allowances or pensions.

An everyday checklist

Accident cover belongs on your checklist for every job change – not just when switching insurer. Keep these four situations in mind:

• Starting a job with at least 8 hours a week: have accident cover suspended and lower your premium.
• Resignation or job loss: take out interim insurance or re-include accident cover within 31 days.
• Dropping below 8 hours a week: re-include accident cover.
• Retirement or a career break: re-include accident cover – UVG protection ends with employment.

How to check your current policy

Whether you are currently paying for accident cover is shown on your insurer's policy overview – usually as “with accident” or “without accident” next to the basic insurance. If the entry does not match your employment situation, a notice to your insurer is enough; the adjustment is not a change of insurer and is possible at any time.

When comparing premiums, make sure to calculate with the correct setting: our calculator asks about accident cover explicitly and compares the official FOPH premiums on exactly that basis – so you see your real savings potential.