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Handing over your licence plate: what to consider
What happens to car insurance if you deposit your license plates with a road traffic office? Comparis explains what you need to know about putting your insurance on hold.
13.09.2022
iStock / Jens Rother
1. Pause car insurance: what does that mean?
If you deposit your license plates at a road traffic office, your insurance will be put on hold. During this time, no additional liability insurance premiums or motor vehicle tax will be charged.
Individual covers remain in force depending on the company. This includes, for example, theft from the garage. However, coverage is temporary. Some insurers grant a suspension discount not only on liability and full casco insurance but also on partial casco insurance. The General Insurance Conditions (AVB) of your insurance company will provide you with all the details.
Leave licence plates at the post office
It is not absolutely necessary to go to a road traffic office. You can also deposit your licence plates at the post office. When reregistering, contact the same post office. In some cantons, however, license plates remain in the post office for up to a maximum of one to two years. They will then be sent to the road traffic office.
2. What is the difference between suspension and deregistration?
The suspension of number plates is temporary — like when you remove yourself from the vehicle register over the winter. If you no longer need your car, you would sign over your vehicle registration document at the road traffic office. This is cancelation. When you sell your vehicle, you hand over the vehicle registration document to the new owner.
Change insurance when changing a car
As soon as you have completely deregistered your car, the insurance coverage expires. If you buy a new car later, you can take out new insurance. In most cases, you can find an insurer that is cheaper than your previous one by simply shopping around.
3. When does it make sense to deposit your number plates?
If you hand over your license plates, you must refrain from using the vehicle for a certain period of time. When this pays off depends on the vehicle, your premiums and the insurance company. But remember: you pay different fees for depositing your number plate depending on the canton.
Especially if you often leave your car in the garage, you should hand in your license plates. This can 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 precisely. Our tip: check the deposit conditions of your car insurance carefully.
4. How long can I suspend my car insurance?
Your insurance company determines how long you can deposit your license number. Many providers, such as Allianz, Helvetia or Zurich, have no maximum period of suspension. However, with most insurance companies, you are only allowed to deposit your license number for six, nine, or twelve months.
Good to know: some insurance companies have a minimum suspension period. It is 14 days.
Even if the car is parked in the garage, there remains a certain risk of damage. This includes storms or thefts. This is why comprehensive coverage generally remains in place in the event of suspension. Depending on the insurance, liability cover also remains active.
With some insurers, you must request that your comprehensive cover resume. You have 14 days to do this after you deposit the license plates. Only damage caused to non-public property is insured. In addition, the validity of liability coverage is often limited to six months. As a rule, you remain insured against comprehensive damage.
5. How much money will I get back from insurance?
If you hand over the car number, the insurance company pays a discount. Certain providers pay the full share of the premium for the period of deposit (e.g. AXA, Mobiliar or Helvetia). This means that no insurance premiums are charged for the duration of the deposit. Andere Anbieter verlangen eine reduzierte Prämie, wenn Sie die Autonummer hinterlegen (z. B. Allianz oder 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 license plate (e.g. Allianz or Mobiliar). Others pay the fee when redeemed (e.g. Helvetia, Smile or Generali) Few providers only deduct the amount on the next premium invoice (e.g. AXA).
Good to know: some insurance companies charge processing fees for suspension. They are generally between 20 and 40 francs.
6. Do I have to inform my insurance company about the deposit of the license plates?
When you hand in your car number, you usually don't have to notify your insurance company. The road traffic office will inform your insurance company.
7. How do I re-register my car?
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 you the number plates by post.
If the signs have been deposited at the post office, you must also present the vehicle registration document upon collection. For more information on addresses, forms, fees and so on, contact the road traffic office for your canton.
This article was first published on 04.08.2019
