Contract
Car insurance cancellation in Switzerland: how it works
Want to change or cancel your car insurance? You should note your old policy’s notice period. Find out here about cancelling car insurance.
16.10.2024
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1. Car insurance: when can I cancel?
Do you want to change your car insurance? If so, you must first cancel your current policy. You will generally need to observe the term and notice period stated in your contract.
Ordinary cancellation with notice
The Insurance Policies Act (not available in English) prescribes:
After three years have elapsed, you may terminate your contract annually at the end of the contract. This also applies if your contract is valid for a longer period of time.
The notice period for cancelling is usually three months.
Notice must be given in writing.
Extraordinary cancellation
In addition to ordinary cancellation, there is also extraordinary cancellation. This is where you cancel the contract early. Extraordinary cancellation is possible in the following cases:
Your insurance company may change the cost of your premiums or your deductible during the term of your contract. If you do not agree with the changes, you can cancel your contract. Your insurance company must receive your cancellation notice the day before the changes come into effect at the latest.
Some insurance companies only allow cancellation if premiums increase. Therefore, read the general contract terms and conditions to find out whether you can cancel your contract even if your premiums go down.
Are you selling your car or changing the owner of the vehicle? The rights and obligations arising from your insurance policy are then transferred to the new owner. The car is insured from day one.
As an example, if you deregister your car before leaving the country for an extended period, you can also cancel your car insurance.
You can also switch your insurance when the vehicle changes hands. Report the sale and change to your current insurance company immediately. They need this to cancel the contract. Any annual premiums already paid will then be refunded on a pro rata basis.
After a claim, either party may terminate the contract. If you would like to cancel your contract, you have 14 days from the date you find out how much will be paid out for the damage.
If the insurance company wishes to cancel the contract, it must do so at the latest when it pays out for the damage. Depending on the contract, you still have 14 to 30 days until the contract is terminated. Any annual premiums already paid will be refunded on a pro rata basis.
2. How to cancel car insurance
When cancelling your car insurance, you need to comply with the notice periods. Most insurers have a notice period of three months. The effective date of cancellation is often the date the insurer receives the notification, not the date of the postmark.
Therefore, make sure that your letter arrives by the last day of the month at the latest. If the last day of the month falls on a weekend, the insurer must receive your letter on the Friday before this weekend at the latest.
Cancellation reminder from Comparis
Want to make sure you meet the deadline? With the cancellation reminder from Comparis, you’ll receive a reminder email in good time before the cancellation deadline.
How do I cancel my car insurance?
Car insurance companies usually require written notice of termination. It’s best to send the cancellation letter by registered post. You can then prove that you sent the letter in time.
More flexible solutions are available, depending on the provider: some insurers offer cancellation by email or using an online form.
Template: car insurance cancellation
Here you will find a template for a cancellation letter to send to your car insurance company. Here’s how to cancel your car insurance using this template: you simply have to fill out the form, print it out and send it off on time.
3. Car insurance cancellation: deadlines of the major insurers in Switzerland
| Insurance | Notice period |
|---|---|
| Allianz Suisse | 3 months |
| AXA | 3 months |
| Baloise | 3 months |
| Elvia | 3 months |
| Generali | 3 months |
| Helvetia | 3 months |
| Die Mobiliar | 3 months |
| Postfinance | 3 months |
| Simpego | 24 hours You can also terminate the contract during the term with a notice period of 24 hours for a fee. |
| Smile direct |
|
| TCS | 3 months |
| Vaudoise | 3 months |
| Zurich | 3 months |
This data is based on the publicly available general contractual terms and conditions of insurance companies. The deadlines agreed in the policy always apply.
The duration of your insurance policy depends on what is agreed in the contract. Some insurance policies can initially only be arranged for a term of three years. Irrespective of the agreed term, the contract is often automatically extended for one year at a time after expiration without notice.
Have you agreed on a contract period of less than one year? If so, the contract usually expires automatically at the end of the period.
4. Notice periods for insurance policies for new vehicles
Changing car insurance? When taking out a new policy, you should consider the following points:
Check the term of the policy and the specified notice period.
Be careful with contracts that run for more than one year. Agree on the annual cancellation right in the policy.
With a short contract period and notice period, you remain flexible. This allows you to benefit from falling premiums on the car insurance market.
This article was first published on 04.08.2019
