Car Insurance in Switzerland - RC, Casco & Bonus-Malus

Strictly Regulated: Motor vehicle insurance in Switzerland is strictly regulated. You cannot receive your cantonal license plates without an electronic proof of insurance (Attestation d'assurance) sent directly from your insurer to the Road Traffic Office.

1. Mandatory Third-Party Liability (RC Véhicule / Motorfahrzeughaftpflicht)

By law, every vehicle on the road must have this base layer. It covers the bodily injury and property damage you cause to others in an accident. It covers absolutely zero damage to your own car.

Mandatory by Law

You cannot receive your license plates without proof of RC insurance sent electronically from your insurer to the Road Traffic Office.

2. Partial Casco (Casco Partielle / Teilkasko)

This covers damage to your own vehicle that is generally outside of your control. It is highly recommended for all cars, regardless of age.

Covered Risks

Theft, fire, natural hazards (hail, floods, falling rocks), glass breakage (windshields), and collisions with wild animals.

The Marten Clause

A uniquely Swiss/European feature. Partial Casco covers damage caused by "martens" (fouines)—small weasel-like animals notorious for crawling under car hoods at night and chewing through expensive electrical cables and brake lines.

Recommendation: Partial Casco is highly recommended for all vehicles, regardless of age. The cost is relatively low compared to the protection it provides.

3. Full Casco (Casco Complète / Vollkasko)

Full Casco includes everything in Partial Casco, plus Collision Coverage.

What it does

It pays for the damage to your own car when you are at fault for the accident (e.g., you back into a pole, or rear-end someone at a red light).

Leasing Rule

If your car is leased, Swiss financial institutions mandate that you carry Full Casco for the entire duration of the lease.

Coverage Comparison Table

Quick reference guide to what each insurance type covers

Coverage Type	RC (Mandatory)	Partial Casco	Full Casco
Damage to others	✓	✓	✓
Theft	✗	✓	✓
Fire & Natural hazards	✗	✓	✓
Glass breakage	✗	✓	✓
Marten damage	✗	✓	✓
Your own car (at-fault accidents)	✗	✗	✓

4. The Bonus-Malus System

Swiss auto insurance operates on a strict merit system.

Bonus

For every year you drive without filing an at-fault claim, your premium drops by a certain percentage, often reaching a maximum discount (e.g., 30% or 35% of the base premium).

Malus

If you cause an accident, your premium rank jumps up significantly for the following year, costing you hundreds of francs.

Pro-Tip (Bonus Protection): Always pay the small extra fee to add "Protection du Bonus" (Bonus Protection) to your policy. This allows you to have one at-fault accident per year without your premium increasing.

Bonus-Malus System Example

How your premium changes based on your driving record

65%

Maximum Bonus
(5+ years no claims)

100%

Base Premium
(New driver)

200%+

Maximum Malus
(Multiple at-fault claims)

Ready to Insure Your Vehicle?

Compare car insurance rates from multiple Swiss providers to find the best coverage for your needs.

Vehicle Import Guide Car Tax Calculator

Sources & References

Federal Road Traffic Act (SVG)
Touring Club Suisse (TCS)
Comparis Auto Insurance Data
Swiss Insurance Association

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