Changing car insurance in Switzerland: how does it work?
When can you change your car insurance? What should you do when switching car insurance? Comparis shares some information and tips.
10.04.2025
iStock / AndreyPopov
1. When can I switch car insurance?
Are you planning to change your current car insurance? You can do this when the contract expires (ordinary termination) or potentially earlier as the case may be (extraordinary termination). However, extraordinary termination is only possible for certain reasons.
Ordinary termination upon expiry of the contract
The insurance policy is valid for the period of time stated in your contract. If you don’t cancel it in time, the contract is usually extended for a further year. With most insurance policies, you can cancel at the end of each contract year while observing the notice period.
The notice periods vary from insurer to insurer. Detailed information can be found in the insurer’s general terms and conditions of insurance.
Duration of the car insurance policy
The duration of the contract varies from one policy to another. Some policies provide for an annual right of cancellation – regardless of the duration of the contract. However, you may cancel annually after three years at the latest (Art. 35a IPA).
Want to make sure you don't miss the cancellation deadline for your car insurance? With Comparis's cancellation reminder, you will receive a reminder email in good time before the cancellation period expires. Log in to MyComparis and create the reminder you want.
Reasons for extraordinary termination
Extraordinary termination is possible for the following reasons:
Change of vehicle: If you buy a new car, you can change insurance. The premium already paid will be refunded on a pro rata basis. You can find more information about this in our article on changing vehicle or keeper.
Change of keeper: Will the keeper of the vehicle change? The rights and obligations arising from the insurance policy are then transferred to the new person. You do not have to cancel the insurance policy, but you do have to inform the insurer about the change of keeper.
Change in premiums: The insurance company may change the premiums or insurance conditions for the new insurance year. If you do not agree to them, you can cancel the contract with effect from the end of the current insurance year.
Claim: After each claim, you and the insurance company have the right to cancel the contract. Any premiums paid in advance will be refunded on a pro rata basis.
Insurance habits of Swiss people
More than half of people in Switzerland have never switched car insurance independently of changing their vehicle. This was the result of a Comparis survey in September 2023. In addition, almost half of the respondents have a contract period of more than one year.
In the case of 39% of vehicle owners: when they last bought a vehicle, they switched to an insurer with which they had already been a customer. Only 12% of respondents compared the prices of different providers on a comparison portal.
2. Why should I change car insurance?
Premiums vary from insurer to insurer. By switching to another provider, you can reduce your insurance costs.
You can also optimize your benefits or additional options. This way, the cover will better suit your needs. Examples include:
A different deductible
Extended cover options
The cost of the same benefits vary depending on the insurer. That’s why it’s worth comparing insurance.
If you drive claims-free for a long time, your car insurance will reward you with lower premiums. The insurer does this by assigning different premium levels. The new insurance company will redefine the premium level.
But you can also benefit from a long time without accidents with a new insurer. After all, when you change insurer, you have to disclose all of your claims in recent years.
3. Switching car insurance in Switzerland: which documents do you need?
To change your car insurance, you must cancel your previous insurance policy – preferably by registered letter. You can use our cancellation letter template to do this.
The new insurance company will ask for various details. You will need the following documents to request a quote:
Purchase or lease agreement
Vehicle registration document
Driving licence
Also keep the old insurance policy and confirmations of claims at hand.
Important: you must report the change of insurance to the road traffic office within 14 days.
This article was first published on 09.08.2017
