Home contents insurance when moving: key information

1. Moving in with your partner

When two people live in the same household, a single home contents insurance policy is sufficient because one policy covers all people living in the same household. Contact your insurer for more information. They will arrange cancellation of any insurance policies that are no longer needed.

When people move in together, the value of the combined furnishings usually increases. For this reason, adjust the sum insured as appropriate. If the sum insured is too low, the insurer may reduce the payout in the event of a claim.

2. Moving into your first home

Anyone leaving their parents’ home for the first time needs to arrange insurance cover for their home contents. A family insurance policy is no longer valid in the new apartment.

Damages to a rental apartment are covered through personal liability insurance. For damage to furniture, clothing or electrical appliances, you’ll need home contents insurance.

3. When someone moves out of your apartment

If someone leaves your shared household, you no longer need family cover – as long as no children or other relatives live in the same household.

When someone moves out, the value of home contents is usually reduced. Adjust the sum insured accordingly to save on premiums.

4. Moving into a shared apartment

Shared apartments have two options:

1. Each person insures their home contents with an individual policy.

2. All home contents are insured with a multi-person insurance policy.

A multi-person policy is usually cheaper than individual policies. Various insurers offer home contents and personal liability insurance tailored to shared apartments. These also include liability towards flatmates.

5. Moving into a home that you own

Homeowners need greater insurance cover than tenants. Consider choosing the glass breakage insurance add-on. This insures against cracks in your ceramic hob, among other things.

You’ll need building insurance for all permanently fixed furnishings. This is compulsory in most cantons.

6. What applies to home contents during the move?

Are you living in two apartments while moving? In this case, home contents insurance usually provides protection for both apartments at the same time. This cover is usually valid for up to two months from the start of the move. During this transitional period, your household items are insured in both the old and the new apartment.

It’s important that you report the move to your insurance company in good time. This ensures that the insurance cover is seamlessly transferred to the new apartment.

Damage to home contents

The personal liability insurance of the moving helpers from your circle of friends and family covers the costs of damage caused by them during the move.

Moving companies have special business liability insurance. However, they do not cover all damage caused by their employees.

They usually exclude simple negligence in their terms and conditions. This is damage caused by mistake.