Accident insurance
For employees in Switzerland, compulsory accident insurance provides protection against the health-related and economic consequences of occupational and non occupational accidents or occupational illnesses.
Here you’ll find information on the general framework for insurers and insured persons, oversight by the FOPH, benefits, premiums, tariffs and international insurance-related matters, as well as the revision of the Accident Insurance Act (UVG) and accident prevention.
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.
Who is subject to compulsory insurance?
Every person employed in Switzerland is subject to compulsory insurance under the UVG.
Insurers and supervision
Depending on the category of cover, accident insurance is provided by the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund (Suva), private insurers, public accident insurance funds and health insurance companies.
Benefits
Insurance benefits provided by the compulsory accident insurance (AIA) include treatment benefits and reimbursement of costs on the one hand, and cash benefits on the other.
Accident insurance: premiums
The employer pays the premium for occupational, and the employee for non-occupational accidents. Premiums vary according to income and the type of company.
International agreements
Switzerland has concluded international social security agreements with 44 countries to date. Switzerland has also ratified a number of standard-setting conventions developed by international organisations working in the social field.
What is accident prevention?
In accident prevention, a distinction is drawn between the prevention of occupational accidents and illnesses (occupational safety) and the prevention of non-occupational accidents (leisure, household, road traffic).
Prevention of non-occupational accidents
Suva and the other accident insurers promote the prevention of non-occupational accidents. Together they operate the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU), which helps to prevent non-occupational accidents – on the roads, at home, during leisure time – through awareness-raising and safety campaigns. It also coordinates efforts in this area.