What is private RC used for?
Private civil liability covers claims by third parties when you unintentionally cause damage in your private life. This could include bodily injury, property damage, or the loss of something belonging to someone else.
She also intervenes to examine whether the complaint is justified. If it is not, the insurer can help you defend yourself against unjustified claims. This is one of the reasons why this insurance is considered essential in Switzerland, even when it is not mandatory at the federal level.
The concrete situations it can cover
- Rented accommodation: cracked sink, scratched parquet floor, damaged tiles or accidental damage during the inventory of the premises.
- Daily life: you break something at a friend's house, knock over a computer or inadvertently injure someone.
- Family: the members of the household, including children depending on the policy, can be insured in the same contract.
- Pets: dog or cat that causes damage to a third party, with verification of cantonal rules for dogs.
- Sports and gentle mobility: cycling, e-bike, scooter, skiing or other private activities according to the conditions of the contract.
- Goods entrusted or borrowed: some contracts cover loss or damage to objects belonging to others.
Is it compulsory in Switzerland?
Private liability insurance is generally not mandatory at the federal level. In practice, it is very often requested by landlords or management agencies when renting accommodation. For dog owners, obligations depend on the canton and sometimes the municipality, with minimum coverage amounts in certain cases.
Even without obligation, it remains strongly recommended: an injury caused to a person or significant damage can jeopardize your personal fortune.
What it does not replace
Private liability does not protect your own furniture or appliances: that is the role of household insurance. It also does not replace compulsory motor vehicle liability for a motor vehicle. Finally, it generally does not cover normal wear and tear of a home, intentional damage, undeclared professional activities or certain special risks.
Points to compare before choosing
- Sum insured: often several million francs; it must be sufficient for serious bodily injury.
- Deductible: general and sometimes specific to rental damage.
- People covered: individual, couple, family, adult children in training or people living under the same roof.
- Animals : automatic inclusion or declaration required, especially for dogs.
- Rental damage: extent of cover, exclusions linked to wear and tear, animals or modifications to the accommodation.
- Territory : coverage in Switzerland, Europe or worldwide depending on the contracts.
Our support
Finwise helps you choose a private liability consistent with your home, your family, your animals and your other insurance. We check for duplicates, important exclusions and the right combination with household insurance, in order to obtain simple and solid protection.