Cover
When is it worth taking out partial casco insurance for a car?
Partial casco insurance covers third party damage to your car. Comparis explains who partial casco insurance is aimed at, and what it covers.
11.04.2024
iStock/Djedzura
1. What is partial casco insurance for cars?
Partial casco insurance covers damage to your own car that you don’t cause yourself. This cover is optional. That said, partial casco insurance is often worthwhile as it helps you avoid unpleasant surprises and high costs if your vehicle is damaged.
Good to know: do you ride a motorcycle? You can also take out partial casco insurance for your motorcycle.
Overview of insurance models
Here are the differences between liability, partial casco and full casco insurance policies.
Note: the graphic is interactive.
Compare premiums for partial casco insurance
The premiums and cover provided by partial casco insurance vary depending on which insurer you choose. It’s therefore a good idea to compare the options available for your car.
2. What does partial casco insurance cover?
Partial casco insurance covers the following:
| Insured event | Description of cover |
|---|---|
| Theft | Damage, loss or destruction caused by:
|
| Damage from natural hazards |
|
| Fire |
|
| Glass damage | Breakage of vehicle parts made of glass or glass substitutes (exclusions are possible depending on the provider) |
| Collision with animals | Crashes with animals |
| Vandalism | Examples of maliciously inflicted damage:
|
| Marten damage |
|
Note: check the exact cover in your insurer’s general insurance conditions, as cover can vary from one insurer to another.
3. Partial casco for cars: what supplemental insurance is available?
Alongside the basic cover provided by partial casco insurance, you can also take out additional supplemental insurance. This includes:
You can find out more about this topic in this article: Car insurance: what types of additional cover are there?
Tip: many car insurance policies have mobility cover or roadside assistance as part of the partial casco package. This isn’t always the case, however, so check your policy to see if it’s included.
4. How much does partial casco insurance cost in Switzerland?
Premiums vary depending on vehicle, driver profile and type of insurance policy you take out.
Cost illustration
The following examples give you some ballpark insurance premiums for a small, mid-sized and luxury car respectively. The cost of obligatory car liability insurance is included in the figure.
| Vehicle | Partial casco in CHF |
|---|---|
| Toyota Yaris 1.5, 112 hp, CHF 20,000 | Starting at 333.20 |
| Škoda Octavia 1.8 TSI station wagon, 180 hp, CHF 38,250 | Starting at 395.90 |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate 3.0, 401 hp, CHF 96,500 | Starting at 1,125.60 |
Basis of calculation: male car owner, born in 1980, nationality CH, place of residence 8004 Zurich, driving license since 2002, no claims or other traffic-related problems in the last five years, private vehicle aged 5 years, no garage, not leased, 10,000 km/year, no additional cover, partial casco insurance deductible CHF 0, liability deductible CHF 500, information correct as of 13.04.2023. Source: Comparis comparison portal
5. When is it worth taking out partial casco insurance for my car?
Generally speaking, it makes sense to take out partial casco insurance for cars up to eight years of age. You should also consider how you use your vehicle and your personal need for peace of mind when assessing whether partial or full casco insurance is the best choice for you.
Partial casco or just liability insurance?
Liability insurance doesn’t cover damage to your own vehicle. This means, for example, if a cable is bitten through by a marten, a window pane is broken by car thieves or your car is written off following a collision with an animal, you are left with the costs.
It’s therefore worthwhile weighing up these risks against any potential saving on premiums. The following questions may help you make a decision:
How old and how expensive is the vehicle?
How often do I use the car?
How experienced am I as a driver?
Is the car leased?
Tip: repair costs, such as replacing the windscreen, don’t necessarily become cheaper as the vehicle ages. This is why partial casco coverage is often worthwhile even for older vehicles.
This article was first published on 11.02.2016
