Home Contents Insurance in Switzerland: What’s Really Necessary?

The ultimate checklist & tips to avoid over- or underinsurance

Why you should care about your home contents insurance

Picture this: You come home to find your apartment flooded because a pipe burst upstairs. Your sofa is soaked, the parquet floor is warped, and your laptop is ruined. Without home contents insurance, you’d have to pay for everything yourself  and the bill could easily reach tens of thousands of Swiss francs.

In Switzerland, home contents insurance is one of the most common policies – and for good reason: it protects the value of your movable belongings against a wide range of risks. But here’s the catch: Many people pay too much year after year, while others only realise too late that they’re underinsured.

What exactly does home contents insurance in Switzerland cover?

In simple terms: Everything you would take with you if you moved. This includes your sofa, laptop, clothes, kitchenware, and even your skis or snowboard.

Typical covered risks include:

• Fire and natural hazards: fire, lightning, flooding, storm, hail, avalanche, landslide.

• Water and pipe breakage damage, such as a leaking washing machine.

• Theft, including burglary or robbery.

Optional add-ons may include: glass breakage, simple theft away from home, earthquake coverage, and more.

💡 Tip: Damage to the building itself is covered by building insurance (mandatory for property owners in most cantons), not by your home contents insurance.

Why overinsurance or underinsurance can be costly

Two common mistakes:

• Underinsurance: The insured sum is too low, so any payout will be proportionally reduced.

• Overinsurance: The insured sum far exceeds the real value, so you end up paying unnecessarily high premiums.

  
  

Example: If your contents are worth CHF 80,000 but you’re only insured for CHF 50,000, a CHF 40,000 loss will only be compensated at CHF 25,000. Conversely, insuring CHF 100,000 worth of contents when you only own CHF 50,000 means higher premiums without ever receiving more than the real value.

Checklist: How to calculate the right insured sum

Before you sign or adjust your policy, take the time to do an honest inventory. You might be surprised at the total value of your belongings.

Steps to follow:

1. Make a full inventory Go through every room (including basement and attic) and note the replacement value of each item.

2. Assess high-value items separately Jewellery, artwork, musical instruments – often subject to special limits.

3. Keep proof and photos Receipts, warranties, and photos are invaluable in case of a claim.

4. Don’t forget “small” items Kitchenware, bedding, books – together, these can add up to thousands of francs.

5. Update regularly Review your sum insured every two years, or after major purchases.

6. Consider your lifestyle If you commute with a bike or carry a laptop regularly, consider “simple theft away from home” coverage.

Why this checklist matters

Many people underestimate the actual value of their home contents. Clothing, sports equipment, and kitchen gear can quickly add up. A proper assessment ensures you won’t get an unpleasant surprise later.

Common add-ons – and when they’re worth it

• Simple theft away from home: ideal if your bike is often parked outside or you carry valuable items with you.

• Glass breakage cover: useful for large windows, glass doors, or glass tables.

• Earthquake cover: worth considering in seismic areas like Basel.

• Cyber insurance: for people working from home or making frequent online purchases.

Not every add-on is a must-have

Some are essential depending on your lifestyle, others are more of a luxury. A small city apartment won’t have the same needs as a house with a conservatory.

How to save on premiums without losing protection

• Increase your deductible: pay for small claims yourself, save on premiums.

• Bundle policies: contents + personal liability = often 10–15% discount.

• Shop around: same coverage, big price differences between insurers.

In Switzerland, home contents insurance is not a luxury – it’s essential financial protection. The key is to tailor your policy to your actual needs, review the value of your belongings regularly, and choose add-ons wisely. This way, you’re well protected… without wasting a single franc.

Compare household insurance now and save.

Whether you live in an apartment, shared flat, or a single-family home, with the right household insurance, you can enjoy worry-free everyday life. Get personalized advice now – and secure the best protection for your home and yourself. Compare, structure and switch to your ideal household insurance policy with wefox.

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