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Insurance: what the law sets and what it costs where you live

No Swiss insurer publishes its premiums. Until MEconomy is registered with FINMA as an untied insurance intermediary, we explain; we do not rank or sell.

Building insurance by canton

Nineteen cantons insure buildings through one cantonal insurer; the owner cannot choose another. The rate is the same across a canton and varies only with construction class and use. Figures are for an ordinary residential building of the best construction class in 2026. The rate is the published tariff: insurance premium plus prevention levy per CHF 1’000 insured. The “On CHF 1’000’000” column adds the 5% federal stamp duty on the premium where the insurer adds it, and takes off a 2026 rebate where its rate is published. The insurer’s invoice decides.

Building insurance by canton, 2026
Canton
AargauAargauische GebäudeversicherungTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.405 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 421.50
Appenzell AusserrhodenAssekuranz Appenzell AusserrhodenTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.54 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 558.50
Appenzell InnerrhodenPrivate insurersCompulsory: not settled by a law text we read
Rate
No data
On CHF 1’000’000
No data
Basel-LandschaftBasellandschaftliche GebäudeversicherungTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.26 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 269.50
Basel-StadtGebäudeversicherung des Kantons Basel-StadtTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.25 ‰stamp duty included
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 250
BernGebäudeversicherung BernTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.318 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 329.902026: Surplus refund of CHF 35m in total, no rate (not in the figure: no rate is published)
FribourgEtablissement cantonal d’assurance des bâtimentsTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.42 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 434.702026: 20% on the 2026 invoice; ECAB does not say whether the levy is included (not in the figure: no rate is published)
GenèvePrivate insurersCompulsory: not settled by a law text we read
Rate
No data
On CHF 1’000’000
No data
GlarusglarnerSachTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.26 ‰stamp duty not stated
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 260+ up to CHF 13
GraubündenGebäudeversicherung GraubündenTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.26 ‰stamp duty not stated
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 260+ up to CHF 8.50
JuraECA JuraTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.57 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 530.10after the 2026 rebate
LuzernGebäudeversicherung LuzernTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.51 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 529
NeuchâtelECAP NeuchâtelTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.52 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 538
NidwaldenNidwaldner SachversicherungTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.46 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 475
ObwaldenPrivate insurersLawCompulsory: yes, with a private insurer
Rate
No data
On CHF 1’000’000
No data
SchaffhausenGebäudeversicherung des Kantons SchaffhausenTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.25 ‰stamp duty not stated
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 250+ up to CHF 8
SchwyzPrivate insurersLawCompulsory: yes, with a private insurer
Rate
No data
On CHF 1’000’000
No data
SolothurnSolothurnische GebäudeversicherungTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.44 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 453.50
St. GallenGebäudeversicherung St.GallenTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.27 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 278.50
ThurgauGebäudeversicherung ThurgauTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.38 ‰+ 5% stamp duty on the premium
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 393.502026: About CHF 129’000 in total, no rate (not in the figure: no rate is published)
TicinoPrivate insurersCompulsory: not settled by a law text we read
Rate
No data
On CHF 1’000’000
No data
UriPrivate insurersLawCompulsory: yes, with a private insurer
Rate
No data
On CHF 1’000’000
No data
ValaisPrivate insurersCompulsory: not settled by a law text we read
Rate
No data
On CHF 1’000’000
No data
VaudECA VaudECA Vaud on its tariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
No data
On CHF 1’000’000
No data
ZugGebäudeversicherung ZugTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.60 ‰stamp duty not stated
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 550+ up to CHF 22.50after the 2026 rebate
ZürichGebäudeversicherung Kanton ZürichTariffCompulsory: yes
Rate
0.29 ‰stamp duty not stated
On CHF 1’000’000
CHF 290+ up to CHF 10.50

Oberegg (Appenzell Innerrhoden) has its own district insurer, Gebäudeassekuranz Bezirk Oberegg: 0.54 ‰ for fire and natural hazards together, CHF 540 on CHF 1’000’000 + up to CHF 27 stamp duty. Tariff, read 12.10.2026.

Graubünden: Plus 0.30 ‰ for buildings the GVG designates as exposed to natural hazards (BR 830.110 Art. 20, 23); the figure above is the ordinary rate. Tariff, read 12.10.2026.

“No data”: Vaud’s tariff is not published, and in the private-market cantons the fire part has no public price.

Every municipality’s figure is on its place page, from all places.

Where private insurers cover buildings

In Genève, Uri, Schwyz, Ticino, Appenzell Innerrhoden (except Oberegg), Valais and Obwalden, private insurers cover buildings. The natural-hazard part has one price for every insurer, set by FINMA: 0.31 ‰ of the sum insured for buildings and 0.21 ‰ for household contents, since 01.01.2023 (FINMA ruling of 25.01.2022, BBl 2022 264).

The fire part is each insurer’s own and none publishes it, so the table says No data for these cantons rather than a total that would be incomplete.

The deductible is set by the Supervision Ordinance (AVO Art. 175): CHF 500 per event for contents; for a residential building 10% of the payout, at least CHF 1’000 and at most CHF 10’000.

Sources: BBl 2022 264, AVO Art. 175; read 12.10.2026.

Earthquake

Earthquake damage is outside the natural-hazard cover (AVO Art. 173). Cover is compulsory only in Zürich, where Gebäudeversicherung Kanton Zürich charges 0.02 ‰ inside its rate. The cantonal insurers’ pool pays elsewhere voluntarily, without a legal claim.

A federal amendment that would have let the Confederation charge owners after a severe earthquake (business 24.095) was rejected: the Council of States did not enter into it on 16.12.2025, nor did the National Council on 30.09.2026.

Sources: ZH government decision 234/2024, Parliament, business 24.095; read 12.10.2026.

Compulsory contents insurance

Four cantons require household contents to be insured. Everywhere else it is your choice. Stamp duty is charged on the premium where noted.

  • Vaud: ECA Vaud, the only insurer; covers fire, natural hazards. 0.50 ‰, minimum CHF 20. ECA’s premium simulator, not binding; stamp duty extra. Law, read 12.10.2026; rate, read 12.10.2026
  • Nidwalden: Nidwaldner Sachversicherung, the only insurer; covers fire, natural hazards. 0.30 ‰ plus 0.16 ‰ levy, minimum CHF 20. Law, read 12.10.2026; rate, read 12.10.2026; levy, read 12.10.2026
  • Fribourg: any licensed private insurer; covers fire, explosion, lightning, natural forces. Each insurer sets its own price; the natural-hazard part is 0.21 ‰ at every insurer. Law, read 12.10.2026
  • Jura: any licensed private insurer; covers fire. Each insurer sets its own price; the natural-hazard part is 0.21 ‰ at every insurer. Law, read 12.10.2026

Car insurance

Liability insurance is compulsory: no motor vehicle may be put on the public road without it (SVG Art. 63). It must cover at least CHF 5 million per accident, personal injury and property damage together (VVV Art. 3), and a vehicle is not registered without it (SVG Art. 11). Casco, which covers your own car, is optional.

No tariff is filed or published, so there is no price list to read. The Swiss Insurance Association (SVV, 12.09.2025) names what insurers price on, and says each weights them differently:

  • Age, sex, nationality and driving experience
  • Place of residence
  • Car type and engine power
  • Bonus-malus: your claims history
  • Deductible
  • Cover chosen: liability only, part casco or full casco

Sources: SVG Art. 11, 63, VVV Art. 3, SVV, 12.09.2025; read 12.10.2026.

Ending a private insurance contract

These rules of the Insurance Contract Act apply to car, household contents, private liability and supplementary health insurance, also to contracts signed before 2022 (VVG Art. 103a).

  • Ordinary notice: to the end of the third year or any later year, with three months’ notice, in writing or in another form that can be proved by text (VVG Art. 35a).
  • After a claim: either side may end the contract until the payout; cover ends 14 days after the other side is told (VVG Art. 42).
  • For an important reason: at any time (VVG Art. 35b).
  • After a premium rise: the law gives no right to leave. Many insurers allow it, but that is in your policy conditions, not in the law.

Sources: VVG Art. 35a, 35b, 42, 103a; read 12.10.2026.

Household contents and private liability

No federal law makes either compulsory. Contents insurance is compulsory in four cantons (above). A lease may require liability cover; that is a clause in the contract, not the law.

If your sum insured is below the value of your things, the insurer pays only that share of each loss unless the policy says otherwise: insured for 60% of the value, 60% of the claim (VVG Art. 51a, para. 2).

Sources: VVG Art. 51a; read 12.10.2026.

Supplementary health insurance

Supplementary cover is voluntary and the insurer may refuse you. You answer a health questionnaire, and a wrong answer lets the insurer end the contract within four weeks of learning of it (VVG Art. 4, 6).

Only you can end it by ordinary notice or after a claim; the insurer cannot (VVG Art. 35a, para. 4). Changing your basic insurer cannot cost you your supplementary cover: the old insurer may neither force you to end it nor end it for that reason (KVG Art. 7, paras. 7 and 8).

FINMA approves the tariffs but does not publish them, so no price list exists.

What a supplement adds, when you can cancel, and a place to keep your policies’ notice days: supplementary health insurance.

Sources: VVG Art. 4, 6, 35a, KVG Art. 7, VAG Art. 38; read 12.10.2026.

Basic health insurance

The premium follows where you live now (KVG Art. 61, para. 2). A move changes it from the move, and moving out of your insurer’s area ends the cover (KVG Art. 7, para. 3). The dates to switch:

Dates to switch basic health insurer
SituationNotice in bySwitch from
A new premium was announced to you (any model, any deductible)30 November1 January
Ordinary notice, any model30 September1 January
Mid-year, only in the standard model with the CHF 300 deductible31 March1 July

Official premiums for every municipality are on health insurance and its premium map.

Sources: KVG Art. 7, 61, KVV Art. 94, 100; read 12.10.2026.

Who is licensed

From FINMA’s list of supervised insurers (12.10.2026), in alphabetical order. A licence does not mean the insurer sells to households; brands are not in the list.

Motor liability: 22 licence holders

  • AIG Europe S.A., Luxemburg, Zweigniederlassung Opfikon
  • Allianz Suisse Versicherungs-Gesellschaft AG
  • AWP P&C S.A., Saint-Ouen (Paris), succursale de Wallisellen (Suisse)
  • AXA Versicherungen AG
  • Berkshire Hathaway International Insurance Limited, London, Zweigniederlassung Zürich
  • Chubb Versicherungen (Schweiz) AG
  • emmental versicherung Genossenschaft
  • GENERALI Assurances Générales SA
  • Great Lakes Insurance SE, München, Zweigniederlassung Cham
  • HDI Global SE, Hannover, Niederlassung Zürich/Schweiz
  • Helvetia Schweizerische Versicherungsgesellschaft AG
  • Lloyd’s, London, Zweigniederlassung Zürich
  • Schweizerische Mobiliar Versicherungsgesellschaft AG
  • Simpego Versicherungen AG
  • Swiss Post Insurance AG
  • Swiss Re International SE, Luxembourg, Zurich Branch
  • TSM Compagnie d’Assurances, Société coopérative
  • VAUDOISE GENERALE, Compagnie d’Assurances SA
  • Versicherungs-Verband Schweizerischer Transportunternehmungen (VVST) Genossenschaft
  • VZ VersicherungsPool AG
  • XL Insurance Company SE, Dublin, Zweigniederlassung Zürich
  • Zürich Versicherungs-Gesellschaft AG

Other products: licence holders

Disputes

Both offices are free of charge.

  • Car, household contents and private liability: Ombudsman der Privatversicherung und der Suva.
  • Basic and supplementary health insurance: Ombudsstelle Krankenversicherung.

Sources: versicherungsombudsman.ch, om-kv.ch; read 12.10.2026.

Sources

Acts on fedlex.admin.ch, current version on 12.10.2026. This page explains; it is not advice and does not compare or sell insurance.