What are “personal belongings” and “personal effects” in car insurance?

1. What are personal belongings?

“Personal belongings” is the name of an add-on for car insurance. This add-on was previously known as “personal effects”. The product insures items that you carry or bring with you in your car.

Roof boxes and top cases are usually also covered by this insurance. You can only take out this insurance in combination with a casco insurance.

2. Is it worth making use of the “personal belongings” add-on when taking out car insurance?

Do you already have home contents insurance? If so, it is often not worth taking out the “personal belongings” add-on when you take out car insurance. Home contents insurance offers similar benefits with the “simple theft away from home” module. Check the scope of cover of your home contents insurance before you take out the “personal belongings” add-on as part of your car insurance.

Generally speaking, the add-on is worthwhile for people who frequently transport valuable items in their cars. Please note, however, that the exact terms and conditions of the contract must be observed. Not all valuable items are insured.

3. How much does personal belongings insurance cost?

The costs depend on the provider and the sum insured. Depending on your insurance, you will pay between 15 and 30 francs per year.

4. What types of damage to personal belongings are insured?

The “personal belongings” add-on insures your belongings against theft, destruction and damage.

Attention: some insurers require that the cause of the damage must be insured by the casco insurance. Only then will you pay for damage to any items you carry with you.

For example, you cause a serious accident. Your camera was in the front seat and is now broken. You have taken out the cover for personal belongings with the partial casco insurance. Partial casco does not apply in this example. Therefore, the insurance does not pay for the broken camera.

What types of damage to personal belongings are insured?

The benefits vary depending on the provider. The terms and conditions applicable with your provider are set out in the General Conditions of Insurance. The following are often insured:

• Luggage such as handbags and suitcases

• Clothes

• Furniture

• Electronic devices

What types of damage to personal belongings are not insured?

Insurers exclude certain items from the cover. The following usually cannot be insured:

• Means of payment such as cash, credit cards and securities

• Valuables such as jewellery, gems and medals

• Collector’s items with sentimental value

• Recovery costs for photo, video and sound recordings and computer data

• Animals and their medical expenses

5. Are personal belongings insured against theft?

In principle, the personal belongings cover pays for damage due to theft. The requirements for this are as follows:

• Thieves steal items from a locked car.

• Thieves use force to open objects that are firmly mounted and locked to your car.

6. How do I report damage to my personal belongings?

1. Document the damage: take a photo of the damage immediately. Note down the time and place of the incident, as well as the names, addresses and phone numbers of everyone involved. Keep the damaged items.

2. Prepare documents: you need different documents for the damage report. Provide the following documents: photos and the accident report and police report, if available.

3. Report claims: report the claim to your insurance company. This can usually be done online, by telephone or via email.