Accident insurance in Switzerland: who pays, what applies abroad and does an accident count towards your deductible?
You break your leg on a skiing holiday. Or you fall off your bike on the way to work. Or you fall ill abroad. Who pays? In Switzerland, accident insurance is a separate system alongside health insurance, and the differences are bigger than most people think.
The key facts in 30 seconds
| Situation | Insured through | Deductible? | Co-payment? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident at work | UVG (employer) | None | 0% |
| Accident in your free time (employed 8+ h/week) | UVG (employer) | None | 0% |
| Accident in your free time (<8 h/week or not employed) | Health insurer ‘with accident cover’ | CHF 300 to 2'500 | 10%, max. CHF 700 |
| Illness (everyone) | Health insurer | CHF 300 to 2'500 | 10%, max. CHF 700 |
| Accident abroad (UVG-insured) | UVG (up to 2× the Swiss tariff) | None | 0% |
| Repatriation from abroad | Not covered | – | – |
The most important point: for an accident insured under the UVG you pay not a single franc, no deductible, no co-payment. Your health insurer is not involved. That is a huge advantage over health insurance, where you carry up to CHF 3'200 a year yourself.
Who pays for accident insurance, you or your employer?
In Switzerland, accident insurance is governed by the UVG (Federal Accident Insurance Act), a separate system alongside health insurance. There are two types:
Occupational accident (BU): accidents at work
- Accidents at the workplace, on the way to work or on business trips
- The premium is paid 100% by the employer
- Applies to all employees, regardless of how many hours they work
Non-occupational accident (NBU): accidents in your free time
- Accidents in your free time: sport, holidays, at home
- The premium is officially paid by the employer, but deducted from your salary (so in practice you pay)
- Typical NBU premium: approx. 1 to 3% of gross salary
- Note: only if you work at least 8 hours a week for the same employer!
| Your situation | BU covered? | NBU covered? | What you need to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employed 8+ h/week | Yes (employer) | Yes (salary deduction) | Set your health insurance to ‘without accident cover’ |
| Employed <8 h/week | Yes (employer) | No | Set your health insurance to ‘with accident cover’ |
| Self-employed | No (voluntary) | No (voluntary) | ‘With accident cover’ with your health insurer or voluntary UVG |
| Student | No | No | ‘With accident cover’ with your health insurer |
| Unemployed (registered with the RAV) | Yes (ALV) | Yes (ALV) | Set your health insurance to ‘without accident cover’ |
| Not in paid work | No | No | ‘With accident cover’ with your health insurer |
Does an accident count towards your health insurance deductible?
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is clear:
No. An accident insured under the UVG has nothing to do with your health insurer. It does not count towards the deductible or the co-payment. The UVG insurer covers 100% of the costs, from the very first franc.
That is an enormous advantage over health insurance:
| UVG (accident) | KVG (illness) | |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible | None (CHF 0) | CHF 300 to 2'500 |
| Co-payment | 0% | 10%, max. CHF 700/year |
| Max. out-of-pocket/year | CHF 0 | Up to CHF 3'200 |
| Daily allowance if unable to work | 80% of salary | Not included |
What does ‘with accident cover’ vs. ‘without accident cover’ mean for your health insurance?
If you choose ‘without accident cover’ with your health insurer, accidents are not covered by your health insurance, because you are already insured through your employer's UVG. On median this saves you CHF 28 to 37 a month (deductible 2'500 or 300 respectively, 2027 premiums), or around CHF 340 to 440 a year in premiums.
If you choose ‘with accident cover’, your health insurer also covers accident costs, but on normal KVG terms (with deductible and co-payment). That is much worse than the UVG.
If you are employed for 8+ hours a week, always choose ‘without accident cover’ with your health insurer. You are better insured through the UVG (0 deductible, 0 co-payment) and save on premiums as well.
After your employment ends, your UVG accident cover continues for 31 days. After that you are no longer covered! Register with the RAV straight away (you are then insured through unemployment insurance, ALV) or switch your health insurance to ‘with accident cover’.
Many people forget this, which leaves a dangerous gap in cover.
Accident abroad: what is covered?
The good news first: the UVG applies worldwide. Whether it's a skiing accident in Austria, a scooter accident in Thailand or a fall in New York: if you are UVG-insured, you are also covered abroad.
But there are limits
The UVG reimburses treatment costs abroad up to a maximum of twice what the same treatment would cost in Switzerland (2× the Swiss tariff). In practice this means:
| Destination | Is the UVG enough? | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Europe (EU/EFTA) | Mostly yes | Costs are often lower than the Swiss tariff. The EHIC card helps as well. |
| South-East Asia, South America | Mostly yes | Public hospitals are cheap. Private clinics can be more expensive. |
| USA / Canada | Often not | Hospital costs in the USA can be $10'000 to 50'000+/day. The UVG covers only a fraction. |
| Australia / Japan | Borderline | Expensive healthcare system. Gaps possible. |
What the UVG does NOT cover abroad
- Repatriation to Switzerland. An air ambulance can cost CHF 20'000 to 150'000. The UVG does not pay for it.
- Private hospital costs above twice the tariff
- Search and rescue costs (e.g. mountain rescue abroad)
And if you fall ill abroad? (not an accident)
Illness abroad is covered by your health insurer (KVG), not the UVG. Same rule: emergency treatment is reimbursed up to 2× the Swiss tariff. But the deductible and co-payment apply as normal.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
As a Swiss resident you receive an EHIC card from your health insurer (on the back of your health insurance card). With it you can get emergency treatment in EU/EFTA countries on the same terms as locals, at public hospitals and doctors.
The EHIC applies to illness and accidents in EU/EFTA countries. However, it does not cover repatriation, private clinics or treatment outside Europe.
Do I need travel insurance?
| Destination | Travel insurance? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Europe (EU/EFTA) | Recommended | Repatriation, private clinic, trip interruption |
| USA / Canada | Essential | Hospital costs can be ruinous. UVG/KVG cover only a fraction. |
| Asia / South America | Recommended | Private clinics expensive, repatriation not covered |
| World trip / long stay | A must | Without additional insurance, the risk is impossible to calculate |
An annual travel insurance policy typically costs CHF 15 to 50 a year and covers repatriation worldwide, costs beyond what UVG/KVG pay and often trip interruption too. For the money, a no-brainer.
REGA patronage: is it worth it?
The REGA (Swiss Air-Rescue) offers patronage for CHF 30/year (individual) or CHF 70/year (family). For its patrons, the REGA generally covers:
Helicopter rescue in Switzerland (mountain rescue, hiking accident, skiing accident) and repatriation flights from abroad (air ambulance jet).
This is not a legal entitlement but a goodwill benefit, though the REGA practically always delivers. For CHF 30/year, one of the best ‘insurance products’ in Switzerland.
Accident abroad: what to do (step by step)
- Get treatment immediately. Your health comes first. Go to the nearest hospital.
- Call the emergency number. 112 (Europe), 911 (USA), local number
- Show your EHIC card. Present it at the hospital in EU/EFTA countries
- Contact your UVG insurer. Or your health insurer if you have no UVG cover. Many have a 24-hour helpline.
- Call your travel insurer / the REGA. If repatriation is needed
- Document everything. Keep receipts, medical reports, prescriptions and, if applicable, the police report
- Report the accident to your employer. After you return, so the UVG claim can be processed
Summary: who pays what?
| Paid by | Your costs | |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational accident premium | Employer (100%) | CHF 0 |
| Non-occupational accident premium | Employer, deducted from salary | approx. 1 to 3% of salary |
| Accident treatment (UVG) | UVG insurer | CHF 0 (no deductible, no co-payment) |
| Accident treatment (KVG only) | Health insurer | Up to CHF 3'200/year |
| Loss of earnings after an accident | UVG: 80% daily allowance | 20% difference |
Compare your health insurance now
Choose the right accident cover and deductible, and save up to CHF 1'200 a year.
Compare premiums →Further reading
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- HMO, Telmed or family doctor? All the models explained
Sources: Accident Insurance Act, UVG (SR 832.20), Health Insurance Act, KVG (SR 832.10), KVV Art. 36, Suva, FOPH. All information without guarantee. If in doubt, contact your health insurer or your UVG insurer.