Car insurance

Key points at a glance

• Third-party liability insurance – mandatory for everyone: Motor vehicle liability insurance covers damage that you (or anyone else driving your car) causes to a third party with your car.
• Accidental damage – for damage to your car: Accidental damage also covers you for damage to your vehicle. You can choose between partial accidental damage (damage caused by bad weather, animals and unknown persons) and comprehensive accidental damage (partial accidental damage plus any damage you cause yourself).
• Add-ons for your individual protection: Round out your insurance coverage with attractive benefits such as damage to a parked vehicle, bonus protection or roadside assistance including onward travel.

Swiss car insurers compared I Comparis

Car liability insurance is mandatory under Swiss law and must be concluded before you can register your vehicle. It covers damage that you as the driver cause to people, animals or property.

You can also choose to insure damage caused to your own property. This add-on policy also covers the costs of a collision with your second car or your garage door.

Partial accidental damage insurance covers damage caused to your car by natural hazards, animals and unknown persons. The following are insured:

• Theft including car hacking (e.g. misuse of keyless system) and misappropriation
• Glass breakage  to front, rear and side windows
• Natural hazards, hail, rockslides, etc., plus fire or lightning strikes
• Damage caused by martens and rodents as well as collisions with animals (e.g. hitting a wild animal)
• Malicious damage such as breaking off or damaging antennas, side view mirrors, etc. (without scratching)

Comprehensive accidental damage insurance offers complete protection for your car. In addition to all the benefits of partial accidental damage, it also covers damage to your car that you cause yourself (collision). Comprehensive accidental damage insurance covers: 

• All the benefits of partial accidental damage insurance
• Collision: Bodywork damage due to a collision with another car, post, etc.

• Parking damage insurance: covers  any kind of damage – paintwork, bodywork, etc. – to your parked vehicle by unknown persons or vehicles
• Damage to headlights and side view mirrors
• Damage to the vehicle interior 
• Flat tires or scratches on the rims
• Personal belongings in your vehicle such as laptops, smartphones, etc.  damaged in a vehicle collision or stolen from the vehicle
• Loss of and damage to vehicle keys, including remote control and keyless access systems

• Gross negligence: Benefits are not reduced for accidents and damage caused by gross negligence (such as driving through a red light).
• Bonus protection: This guarantees that you don’t lose the discount on your insurance premium if you have an accident. Claims-free driving gradually lowers your car insurance premium  – until it’s just 30 percent of the original amount. 
• Roadside assistance including onward travel
• Replacement vehicle
• Vehicle legal protection
• Injury to you and your passengers

When renting a car in the USA, insurance is usually not included in the base price, especially if you book locally or via American platforms. However, there are exceptions and certain packages that can be booked for international customers.

Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) / Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

This liability waiver releases the renter from financial responsibility for damage to the rental vehicle, as long as the terms of the rental agreement are met. It is not an actual insurance policy, but an agreement that reduces or eliminates your liability for damages. It is usually not included in bookings in the USA and must be booked separately. It is often included in international bookings or special packages for European customers.

Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI)

This additional liability insurance covers damage to third parties or their property. In the USA, the legal minimum coverage is often very low (e.g. USD 300,000), so SLI offers additional protection. Usually not included in standard US bookings. In international packages (e.g. when booking from Europe), SLI can often be included.

Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)

This insurance covers medical expenses for the driver and passengers of the rental vehicle in the event of an accident. Usually not included. Can be offered as an additional option.

Personal Effects Coverage (PEC)

This insurance protects the renter's personal belongings that are stored in the rental vehicle from loss or theft. Usually not included, but can be added as an option.

Credit Card Insurance

Some credit cards offer insurance for rental cars if you use the card to pay for the rental car. For example, the AMEX Platinum Card. These insurance policies usually cover LDW/CDW, but check the terms and conditions carefully, as there are often certain restrictions.

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