Fire in Crans-Montana: costs covered in the event of an accident by the health and accident insurance
The following questions and answers summarise the key information about the costs covered in the event of an accident by the health and accident insurance. They supplement the fact sheet ‘Fire in Crans-Montana: costs covered in the event of an accident by the health and accident insurance’ of 30 January 2026 and will be updated as necessary.
Fact sheet ‘Fire in Crans-Montana: costs covered in the event of an accident by the health and accident insurance’
If an accident occurs, when is the accident insurance responsible, and when is the health insurance responsible?
People who are employed in Switzerland (including apprentices and interns) are insured against occupational accidents through their employer. If they work at least eight hours a week for an employer, they are also insured against non-occupational accidents (in other words, accidents that occur outside of work). The accident insurance is therefore responsible for them.
People who are not employed (e.g. pupils or students) are usually insured against accidents through their health insurance.
You’ll find more information at Accident insurance: Who is subject to compulsory insurance?
What costs does accident insurance cover?
- Costs of treatment: including care and treatment, meals and accommodation in a general ward of a hospital
- Travel, transport and rescue costs including travel, accommodation and meal costs for family members of children and young adults (aged under 25)
- Costs of treatment in another European country: If Swiss citizens and nationals of EU/EFTA countries who are insured in Switzerland are transferred to another European country, they will receive medical care according to what that healthcare system normally covers.
- Daily allowance in the event of incapacity for work: People who are completely or partially unfit for work are entitled to a daily allowance amounting to 80% of the salary starting from the third day after the day of the accident.
- Disability pension: If no significant improvement in a person’s state of health can be expected from continuing medical treatment, they may be entitled to a disability pension.
- Integrity allowance: Those who suffer a substantial, permanent loss of physical or mental integrity as a result of an accident are also entitled to an integrity allowance.
For further information and explanations, please contact your accident insurance provider. You can find out who your accident insurer is from your employer.
What costs does health insurance cover?
- Direct costs of treatment: including care and treatment, meals and accommodation in a general ward of a hospital
- Rescue and transport costs: e.g. to rescue a person from a situation posing a serious threat, or to transport them between hospitals. Statutory limits apply.
- Costs of treatment in another European country: Swiss citizens and nationals of EU/EFTA countries who are insured in Switzerland and are transferred to another European country for treatment receive medical care according to what that system normally covers.
For further information and explanations, please contact your health insurance provider.
Where can I request carer’s leave under the loss of earnings compensation scheme?
Parents of a child aged under 18 are entitled to 14 weeks of carer’s leave if they have to leave work temporarily to take care of a seriously ill or injured child.
To register for carer’s allowance the parents need to fill out a form, have it validated by a doctor, and notify their employer.
Those who are unemployed should submit the form directly to the responsible OASI compensation office. You’ll find the addresses of the OASI compensation offices at www.ahv-iv.ch.
For the link to the form and further information, see also Carer’s allowance | Income compensation allowance in the event of service, maternity, other parents leave, caring for a sick child or adoption | Social insurance | Information centre OASI/DI.
Who assumes the costs that are not covered by social insurance schemes?
Efforts are made to ensure that no one falls through the net of available help and assistance. For costs that are not covered by social insurance schemes or private insurance policies, the Victim Support Act (VSA) provides for relevant benefits.
For further information, please contact the cantonal victim support office: Where can I access support? - Victim support Switzerland.
Further information
Further topics
Who is subject to compulsory insurance?
Every person employed in Switzerland is subject to compulsory insurance under the UVG.
Crans-Montana fire
The authorities, hospitals and rescue services are jointly seeking to ensure that the people injured in the Crans-Montana fire receive the best possible care. This collaboration is being coordinated by the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP).
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Health insurance benefits Division
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern