Quad bike insurance in Switzerland – what you need to know
Who can drive a quad bike/ATV in Switzerland? What's the insurance situation? Comparis provides the answers.
05.04.2023
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A quad bike, or ATV, is neither a car nor a motorcycle. Who can drive a quad bike/ATV in Switzerland? What's the insurance situation? Comparis helps you make sense of it all.
Quad bikes are used for sports and leisure in town. They are also used as off-road working vehicles in farming and forestry. Different regulations apply depending on the vehicle's use and power.
What types of quad bike/ATV are there?
In Switzerland, quad bikes or ATVs are divided into two categories: light motor vehicles and small motor vehicles (in German, French and Italian only). These categories determine your speed limit, as well as driving licence, approval and insurance requirements.
| Legal definition | |
|---|---|
| Light motor vehicle |
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| Small motor vehicle |
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What driving licence do I need to ride a quad bike/ATV?
There is no driving licence specific to quad bikes. The driving licence category (in German, French and Italian only) required depends on the type of ATV in question.
| Driving test requirement | |
|---|---|
| Light motor vehicle | A special category F driving licence is required, as is the case for all light motor vehicles (Art. 3 para. 3 Road Traffic Licensing Ordinance (RTLO)). You will have this if you have gained a licence in the following categories: A, A1, B, B1, F. ATVs falling under this category may be operated by individuals from age 16 subject to passing the test. |
| Small motor vehicle | A category B1 driving licence is required to operate this type of vehicle (Art. 3 para. 2 RTLO). You will have this if you have gained a licence in categories A, B or B1. |
In short, holders of a category A and/or category B driving licence may operate both types of quad bike. If you only have an A1 licence, you may only operate ATVs classified as light motor vehicles.
What rules and regulations apply to quad bikes/ATVs in Switzerland?
Quad bikes are subject to the same traffic rules and regulations as cars. In urban areas in Switzerland, the speed limit for ATVs classified as light motor vehicles is 45 km/h.
Since 2005, all users of these motor vehicles have been required to wear a seat belt and helmet. This applies to both drivers and passengers. Stricter rules now also apply to passengers on cargo transport and agricultural vehicles. This can also affect quad bikes.
| Light motor vehicle | Small motor vehicle | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal requirements |
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What insurance do I need for my quad bike/ATV?
Liability insurance is mandatory for both types of quad bike. This covers damage to a third party. Collision casco insurance, on the other hand, is optional. It covers damage you cause to your own vehicle and includes theft, natural hazards, fire and glass breakage. Casco insurance is a smart choice for newer vehicles. It is advisable to take out partial casco cover up to seven and full casco up to four years after first registering your vehicle. Note that collision casco (accidental damage) insurance is only mandatory for leased vehicles.
| Light motor vehicle | Small motor vehicle | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance |
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In addition to the standard cover offered by collision casco insurance, you can include further add-ons, although not all of them will make sense for you. For example, in the event of theft your personal effects are frequently already covered by your home contents insurance. Accident damage to your helmet and motorcycle clothing may also be covered by your household insurance. Accident insurance is mainly worth taking out if you ride with passengers from abroad who have inadequate accident coverage. You may also be able to do without assistance insurance.
Tip: we recommend adding bonus protection to your insurance policy. The additional cost of bonus protection is negligible, especially when compared to a potential increase in premiums. Whether it makes financial sense to waive your right to temporarily suspend your insurance must be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you do not ride your motorcycle at all during the autumn and winter months, you are better off depositing your number plates.
How much does quad bike/ATV insurance cost?
The premium depends on the insurance cover you have opted for and varies from insurance company to insurance company. It is also determined by the vehicle's engine capacity and value, or factors such as place of residence and gender. The cost of add-ons and the cover they provide can differ considerably depending on the insurer and the policy. Premiums also vary as a result of the no-claims bonus level system. Your premium will increase every time you make a claim unless you have taken out bonus protection. That is why it always worth shopping around for quotes and comparing these carefully. Make sure to check deals thoroughly and compare add-ons.
How do I get my quad bike/ATV approved for road use?
ATVs can be imported into Switzerland in various ways. Some are brought in as off-road vehicles and then converted. Others are built directly for road use. According to manufacturers, these vehicles may in some cases be registered without further modifications. Just as with motorcycles, make sure that any extra features are also approved.
This article was first published on 13.09.2021