Car insurance: is passenger accident insurance necessary?

2. What costs does passenger accident insurance cover?

Passenger accident insurance usually covers:

• Treatment costs for hospital stays in a private or semi-private ward

• Daily allowance in the event of a hospital stay or incapacity for work

• Payout of a lump sum in the event of death

• Payout of a lump sum in the event of disability

The benefits payable in the event of a claim vary depending on the insurance company. It is therefore worth comparing them carefully.

3. Do I need passenger accident insurance?

In many cases, it is unnecessary to take out passenger accident insurance.

People living in Switzerland

Anyone resident in Switzerland must have accident cover, either taken out with their health insurance or provided by the employer. Anyone living in Switzerland on a Schengen visa is also required to have health and accident insurance. In this case, therefore, no passenger accident insurance is necessary. Swiss passengers are adequately covered by accident insurance.

Travelling with business clients as passengers

Passenger accident insurance can be worth taking out in the context of company cars that often have customers as passengers. It is useful if you would like to have your claims dealt with quickly, for instance. Passenger accident insurance pays out immediately – the question of who is at fault does not need clarifying first.

Foreign passengers

Do you often drive with foreign passengers in your car? Sometimes, people from outside Switzerland are either inadequately insured or have no insurance at all. In this case, it may make sense to take out passenger accident insurance.

4. Is passenger accident insurance a good idea when renting a car?

Car hire companies usually sell insurance, which is added to the rental price and often includes passenger accident cover. Whether you need it depends on your country of travel, whether you already have travel insurance, and your personal need for security. Find out in this article who covers the cost if you have an accident abroad.

Comparis tip: unlike vehicle liability insurance, passenger accident insurance is not compulsory. Find out what kind of car insurance you need and take a look at the benefits and add-ons. The premiums can vary considerably, so it's worth comparing.