Accident insurance for self-employed people: how to close the UVG gap

The Accident Insurance Act (UVG) automatically covers all employees in Switzerland. Occupational accidents, non-occupational accidents, occupational diseases... employees have compulsory insurance against all of these. This requirement does not apply to the self-employed, however. 

If you run a sole proprietorship or a general partnership, you must take care of accident cover yourself.

Without voluntary accident insurance, only your health insurance (KVG) will come into play. This covers your medical expenses, but you have to pay the deductible and excess, and there are no daily benefits for loss of earnings, no disability pension and no survivors’ pension. In other words, the insurance gap affects exactly the areas that are crucial for your economic survival following a serious accident.

The following table provides an overview of the difference between employees and self-employed people:

The figures from the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund (Suva; link to German page) underscore the risk: on average, self-employed people miss a month of work due to an accident over the course of their working lives. One in ten self-employed people receive a disability pension (link to German page) at some point.

Depending on the situation, self-employed people have different options for insuring themselves against the consequences of accidents. The choice depends on:

• Whether you employ staff
• How high your income is 
• What coverage you would like 

Important distinction: An illness is not an accident. If you are self-employed and are unable to work due to an accident, your accident insurance does not pay anything. You need separate daily sickness benefits insurance (KTG; link to German page) for this. This covers loss of earnings in the event of incapacity due to illness, thus closing another common insurance gap.

This component is the most important form of cover for self-employed people (from an annual salary of CHF 66,690) to close the gap in terms of income replacement.

What is insured? 

Occupational and non-occupational accidents and occupational diseases. You receive the same benefits as employees with compulsory insurance.

What is covered?

• Medical expenses: 100 % cover (outpatient/inpatient), with no deductible or excess.
• Daily benefits: 80 % of insured earnings (choice of waiting period).
• Pensions: disability pensions (up to 80 %) and survivors’ pensions. Together with the AHV/IV, complementary pensions equal to up to 90 % of earnings are possible.
• Lump sum: impairment allowance in the event of permanent physical impairment.

Which risks are insured?

The risk to your livelihood due to a lack of replacement income. You are already entitled to a pension from a degree of disability of 10 %.

Based on the Swiss Federal Law on Insurance Contracts (VVG), private accident insurance is aimed at self-employed people who do not wish or are unable to take out voluntary UVG insurance – for instance because their earnings are below the eligibility threshold or because they would like targeted additional cover.

What is insured? 

Accident cover that is valid worldwide and can be tailored to your individual needs.

What is covered?

• Medical expenses: cover depends on the option chosen (general, semi-private or private).
• Lump-sum benefits: free choice of sums insured for disability or death, which are often higher than the statutory basic cover.
• Supplementary salary: insurance of salary portions above the UVG maximum of CHF 148,200.

Which risks are insured?

• Income gaps: cover for sole proprietors without a fixed minimum income (no eligibility threshold).
• Higher entitlements: cover for people who require higher lump-sum benefits than those provided for by law if the worst comes to the worst.
  

As soon as you employ staff, UVG accident insurance becomes mandatory. You are required by law to insure your employees against occupational and non-occupational accidents.

What is insured? 

Liability vis-à-vis your employees. While you pay the premiums for occupational accidents, the costs of non-occupational accident coverage can be deducted from your employees’ salary.

What is covered? 

The statutory minimum benefits for your team. Allianz takes care of the entire administrative process in the event of a claim.

Which risks are insured?

• Employer risk: fulfilment of the statutory insurance obligation for your staff.
• Financial protection for the team: cover for your employees against incapacity and disability.
  

UVGZ cover closes gaps that the basic statutory insurance leaves open, positioning you as an attractive employer. It supplements your staff’s accident insurance (link to German page) with some valuable additional benefits.

What is insured?

Extended benefits for your team that go beyond the statutory basic cover.

What is covered? 

• Hospital comfort: upgrade to semi-private or private ward.
• Higher daily benefits: closure of income gaps by increasing daily benefits to up to 100 %.
• All-round protection for peace of mind: DIC/DIL coverage in the event of reductions due to gross negligence.
• Top earners: insurance of salary portions above the UVG maximum (CHF 148,200).

Which risks are insured? 

Salary and comfort risks: cover against financial losses for high earners and guaranteed preferential treatment in hospital.

There is no universal answer to this question. The premium for voluntary accident insurance depends on multiple individual factors. 

What does the premium depend on? The premium is calculated as a percentage of the insured annual salary. For voluntary UVG insurance, this is between CHF 66,690 and the maximum UVG salary of CHF 148,200. The higher the insured earnings, the higher the premium in Swiss francs. Other important factors are the type of work being performed, the professional risk and the scope of cover chosen. 

Which factors increase or reduce the costs? There are various ways in which you can influence the premium for your accident insurance (link to German page). You can save money by choosing a longer waiting period for your daily benefits, excluding accident cover from your health insurance or taking out a multi-year policy, for example.

Accident insurance is crucial, but self-employed people also bear other risks that can be insured in a targeted manner. The following types of insurance for self-employed people make sense as additions to your cover:

• Daily sickness benefits insurance (KTG; link to German page): If you cannot work due to illness, you will lose income. Illness is not an accident and therefore is not covered by accident insurance.
• Professional liability insurance (link to German page): Protects you against financial consequences if you cause loss/damage to third parties through your professional activity. Depending on the sector, it may even be mandatory.
• BVG/pension fund (voluntary; link to German page): BVG provision is not mandatory for self-employed people without staff. However, by joining a pension fund voluntarily, you can close gaps in your provision and benefit from tax advantages.
• Commercial liability insurance (link to German page): Covers losses that occur as part of your company’s operations. It is particularly relevant when customers come to your business premises or you perform work on site.

Which combination makes sense for you depends on your sector, the size of your business and your personal situation. During a consultation with Allianz, you will clarify all the outstanding points and receive a solution that meets your needs.

Allianz offers multiple ways in which self-employed people can protect themselves against the financial consequences of accidents. Here is an overview of the four key components:

• Voluntary UVG insurance: The basic solution for sole proprietors (from an annual income of CHF 66,690). It offers the same statutory benefits that employed people enjoy (medical expenses, daily benefits, pensions).
• Compulsory UVG insurance for staff: If you have employees, this cover is a legal requirement. Allianz takes care of the entire administrative process.
• Private accident insurance: The solution for everyone whose income is below the UVG eligibility threshold or as a supplementary policy offering excellent benefits for salary portions above CHF 148,200.
  

Basic statutory UVG cover offers solid benefits, but it does not meet every need. There are additional components that you can add to the statutory cover to close individual gaps:

• Hospital comfort: upgrade to semi-private or private ward.
• Full income replacement: daily benefits increased from statutory 80 % to up to 100 %.
• Elective cover: insurance for salary portions above CHF 148,200.
• Benefits reductions included: UVGZ insurance covers reductions imposed by the UVG insurance in the event of gross negligence.
  

• Personalised advice: Our general agencies throughout Switzerland provide local, straightforward advice. Your advisor will be familiar with the special features of your sector and region.
• Customised solution: Whether it is with staff, without staff or a mixed form of insurance, Allianz will find the right combination for your situation.
• Flexible components: From statutory basic insurance to extended cover, you can combine a variety of components.
• Transparent process: When you take out the insurance, you must fill in a health questionnaire. This may result in restrictions or exclusions being imposed. Allianz communicates this openly and clearly.
• International stability: As part of the global Allianz Group, Allianz combines local presence with international financial strength.

Our recommendation: Have your individual situation analysed. Allianz supports self-employed people during every phase – from foundation to expansion with staff to comprehensive cover in the event of a claim (link to German page). Together we will find the solution that fits your needs.