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Handing over your licence plates: what to consider
What happens to your car insurance if you deposit your licence plates with the road traffic office? Comparis explains what you need to know.
08.04.2025
iStock / Jens Rother
1. Depositing licence plates: what does this mean for insurance?
If you deposit your licence plates with the road traffic office, a “suspension period” will begin. During this time, you will not have to pay any liability premiums or motor vehicle tax.
Partial casco insurance often remains active during suspension. In that case, risks such as marten damage or theft are still covered. Some insurance companies grant a suspension discount.
Full casco insurance – like liability cover – is usually paused because the vehicle is not driven on the road. Detailed information can be found in the insurance company’s general terms and conditions of insurance.
Where do I have to hand in my licence plates?
In most cantons, you must hand in your licence plates in person or by post to the road traffic office.
In some cantons (e.g. Lucerne and Valais), you can also hand in your number plates at the post office. Depending on the canton and the duration of the suspension, you can then reactivate the licence plates at the same post office or the road traffic office.
It is a good idea to contact your local road traffic office for more information.
2. What is the difference between suspension and deregistration?
The suspension of number plates is temporary – such as when you opt to keep your car off the road over winter.
If you no longer need your car at all, you can surrender your vehicle registration document at the road traffic office. This is called deregistration. When you sell your vehicle, you hand over the vehicle registration document to the new owner.
Switching insurance when changing car
Insurance coverage expires as soon as you have completely deregistered your car. If you buy a new car later, you can take out a new insurance policy. You can often find an insurer that is cheaper than your previous one by comparing quotes.
3. When does it make sense to deposit your number plates?
If you hand over your licence plates, you must refrain from using the vehicle for a certain period of time. When it makes sense to deposit your licence plates depends mainly on:
the premium amount or the amount of the suspension discount.
the charges for depositing the number plates.
Especially if you often leave your car in the garage, you should consider handing in your licence plates. This may be the case, for example, if you regularly stay abroad or if you only drive your classic car in summer.
In the case of one-off events, such as an injury, you should calculate the costs and benefits precisely. Check the deposit conditions of your car insurance carefully.
4. How long can I suspend my car insurance?
How long your car insurance remains suspended depends on the provisions of the road traffic office and the terms of insurance.
Provisions of the road traffic office
In many cantons, it’s possible to deposit your number plates with the road traffic office for up to 12 months, sometimes up to 24 months.
Terms of insurance
Some insurance companies, such as Allianz, Helvetia or Zurich, do not impose an additional maximum period of suspension. However, with most insurance companies, you are only allowed to deposit your licence plates for six, nine or 12 months.
Good to know: some insurance companies have a minimum suspension period of 14 days.
5. I’ve deposited my number plates: how much money will I get back from insurance?
If you hand over your number plates, your insurance company will pay a discount. Certain providers pay the full share of the premium for the suspension period (e.g. AXA, Mobiliar and Helvetia). This means that no insurance premiums are charged for the duration of the suspension. Other providers charge a reduced premium when you deposit your number plates (e.g. Allianz and Postfinance).
The reimbursement of premiums is handled differently depending on the insurer. With some providers, you will receive a refund at the time you deposit your licence plates (e.g. Allianz, Smile and Mobiliar). Others pay the fee when the number plates are collected again (e.g. Generali). A few providers only deduct the amount from the next premium invoice (e.g. AXA).
Good to know: some insurance companies charge administrative fees for the suspension. They are generally between 20 and 40 francs.
6. Do I have to inform my insurance company about depositing the licence plates?
When you hand in your number plates, you usually don’t have to notify your insurance company. The road traffic office will inform your insurance company instead.
7. How do I re-register my vehicle?
If you want to re-register your vehicle, you must present or send the vehicle registration document to the road traffic office. The road traffic office will send the licence plates by post.
If you have deposited the licence plates at the post office, you must likewise present the vehicle registration document upon collection. For more information on addresses, forms, fees and so on, contact the road traffic office in your canton.
This article was first published on 04.08.2019
