Legal protection: compare insurance in Switzerland

Generally speaking, the cause, i.e. the triggering event, must have occurred before the policy was taken out. 

Some insurers also reserve the right to apply a waiting period of three months for particular areas of law, which are not then covered during this period.

The waiting periods vary by insurer and are detailed in the general conditions of insurance. 

You can cancel legal protection insurance in the following circumstances: 

• At the end of the agreed contract period
  Be sure to observe the required notice period. Usually, the insurer must receive your cancellation letter three months before the contract ends, otherwise the policy is automatically renewed for one year. 

  Would you like to be reminded of the next cancellation deadline by e-mail? Take advantage of the Comparis cancellation reminder service.

• If you make a claim
  If you make a claim that is covered by your policy you can cancel the policy within 14 days of being notified of the last payment received. 

• If you move abroad
  If you move abroad, Swiss law no longer applies, which means you can cancel the insurance by submitting confirmation that you have de-registered from your Swiss municipality of residence.

Legal protection insurance protects you from financial risks arising from legal disputes. The following expenses are usually covered: 

• Lawyer's fees

• Legal reports

• Court fees

• Reimbursement of the other party’s legal expenses

• Bail (paid by way of an advance)

Personal legal protection insurance covers legal disputes in the area of private law, which includes tenancy law, consumer law and employment law, for example.

Motor legal protection insurance provides financial protection in the event of legal disputes in connection with road traffic incidents. This includes legal cases arising from an accident or from disputes relating to the purchase, lease or improper repair of a vehicle. 

Important: the cover and benefits provided may differ between insurance companies. It's therefore worth comparing several options – the cheapest is not always the right option for you.

The following exclusions apply:

• Fines

• Deliberate acts

• Own wrongdoing

• Events that occurred or were foreseeable before the start date of the policy

Family law disputes (child support, marriage protection and divorce proceedings), inheritance disputes, construction disputes, tax proceedings and most criminal proceedings are either not covered at all or only legal advice is covered.

Disputes relating to family, divorce and inheritance law are not usually covered. 
This means that the insurance company will not normally pay any legal fees for disputes involving family matters.

However, some insurers offer legal protection insurance that covers legal advice from their own lawyers on matters relating to personal, family and inheritance law. Check that family law (including divorce) is included in the legal advice cover.