What is covered under the accident and occupational diseases insurance?

The compulsory accident insurance is a personal insurance. Benefits available under this type of insurance represent compensation for the health-related and financial damage of an accident or an occupational disease.

Accident

An accident is defined as a sudden and involuntary injury caused to the human body by an unusual external factor. Certain injuries to the body that are similar to the consequences of an accident are treated as accidents.

Work accident

This includes accidents which occur while the insured person is carrying out the duties allotted by his or her employer. Accidents that occur during breaks or before or after working hours are also considered work accidents as long as the insured person was authorised to be on the premises or in a danger zone related to his or her employment.

Non-work accident

This includes all accidents that are not defined as work accidents, in particular accidents which occur during the commute or during leisure time, such as sports accidents, road accidents or accidents in the home. Part-time workers who work less than 8 hours per week for one employer are not insured against non-work accidents. For such persons, accidents during the commute are considered work accidents, unlike normal cases.

Occupational diseases

Occupational diseases are those which are caused in the course of occupational activity solely or principally by harmful substances or certain types of work according to a list issued by the Federal Council. Other diseases are considered occupational diseases only if proven to be solely or principally caused by occupational activity.