FAQ private liability

If you are the only person in your household, you can take out an individual insurance policy. If you live in a domestic partnership, cover can be extended to include all persons permanently living in the same household as you. This also applies to children who live elsewhere, provided they are still officially registered as living at home.

You are free to choose between a sum insured of either CHF 5 million or CHF 10 million. Where bodily injury and consequential damage (e.g. loss of earnings) are involved, the costs can become particularly high.

It is not compulsory in Switzerland to have private liability insurance. But if, whether intentionally or not, you injure someone or damage their property, you are liable with your entire personal assets. You are also liable to cover any damage caused to third parties by persons, animals or objects for which you are responsible. That is why private liability insurance is indispensable.

Their parents’ private liability insurance covers claims like these. When minors are left in the unpaid care of others – such as grandparents, neighbours or other acquaintances – the latter have a duty of care. But even in these cases, the parents’ private liability insurance – and not the person looking after the children – will cover any bodily injury or property damage the children cause to third parties. The policy also provides cover of up to CHF 5,000 for damage the children cause to property belonging to the person looking after them.

Under Helvetia liability insurance, you are also insured when pursuing secondary employment. The insurance covers your liability arising in connection with secondary employment, provided the total income from that employment does not exceed CHF 40,000 per year. If the additional income exceeds this amount, you must take out separate insurance cover. If you are unsure, we recommend you discuss your specific case with your customer advisor.

These conditions apply to secondary income as a hairdresser, cosmetician, pedicurist/manicurist, nail designer, child minder, child carer/babysitter, au pair, tutor, dog-sitter, house-sitter, caretaker, cleaner, musician, actor, baker, pastry chef, confectioner, caterer, entertainer, farmer or photographer. Insurance cover applies to all other activities, provided the total annual income from the activities does not exceed CHF 5,000.