Fire insurance: what is covered?

In Switzerland, fire cover is provided as a component of household contents insurance or buildings insurance. Synonyms such as fire insurance or fire protection insurance have the same meaning.

A fire is clearly defined for insurance purposes: the fire must have originated outside an intended place of containment, escaped any such place of containment and spread of its own accord. Scorch damage (i.e. discolouration caused by heat without an open flame) is not considered to be a fire. Scorch and heat damage and damage caused by utility fires are always included in the cover.

A practical example

A kitchen fire spreads from the hob to the fixtures. Household contents insurance covers damaged contents such as furniture and appliances. Buildings insurance covers damage to walls and floors. If you only take out one of the two policies, you will have to cover the remaining costs yourself.  

Do you live in rented accommodation or do you own your home? And in what canton? Both of these factors determine the fire insurance cover that applies to you. The following overview shows who needs what.

You are a tenant

You are a property owner

Buildings insurance is compulsory in 19 cantons. It automatically covers damage to the building caused by fires and natural hazards. As the property owner, you are covered in this regard without having to take any further action

The situation is different in the GUSTAVO cantons (Geneva, Uri, Schwyz, Ticino, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Valais and Obwalden) and in the Principality of Liechtenstein: there is no compulsory state insurance in these regions. Property owners take out private buildings insurance – for example, with Allianz. Fire and natural hazards are automatically covered under such insurance policies.

The building is the landlord’s responsibility. Contents – furniture, clothes, electronics – are covered in the event of fire damage by household contents insurance.

It is advisable to take out personal liability insurance as well. This covers damage to the let property or to neighbours’ property if a fire is caused by carelessness.

In most cantons, property owners are required to take out cantonal buildings insurance. In the GUSTAVO cantons and in the Principality of Liechtenstein, this cover is provided by private buildings insurance. In addition, household contents insurance is strongly recommended, although it is optional in most Swiss cantons. It is compulsory only in Nidwalden, Fribourg, Jura and Vaud.

The two policies should be coordinated with one another to ensure that buildings and their contents are well protected.

Regardless of the provider, it is worth checking the following points when taking out a polic

1. Sum insured at replacement value: will you be compensated for your contents or your building at the current replacement value?
2. Waiver of reduction in benefits in the event of gross negligence: will the insurer still pay out if the damage was caused by a mistake?
3. Cover for clean-up and hotel costs: are consequential costs such as accommodation or waste disposal included in the cover?
4. Deductible: what share do you pay in the event of a claim?
5. Clear definition of exclusions: what is explicitly not covered?
   

Allianz offers household contents insurance and buildings insurance from a single source. With our optional additional cover, we will still be by your side even if the fire was caused by gross negligence.

You can supplement your cover to include glass breakage, buildings liability or around-the-clock emergency assistance.

Our advisers are familiar with the differences between the cantons. They will help you find the right solution.