Boat insurance
Request a quote for boat insurance in Switzerland.
Who needs boat insurance?
Boat owners in Switzerland are obligated to take out appropriate insurance.
Boat insurance protects you against financial risks, liability claims, theft and accidents. The insurance also covers losses that may be incurred by storms or malicious damage.
Good to know
- Boat insurance is intended only for motorboats, yachts and sailing boats.
- Sailing ships without an engine and a sail area of not more than 15m² are exempt from the statutory insurance obligation.
- In contrast to boat liability, boat comprehensive cover is voluntary.
Water vehicle insurance in Switzerland
As the owner or operator of a boat in Switzerland, you can be held responsible in the event of an accident or damage. Liability insurance for your boat is mandatory. Additional cover, like comprehensive boat insurance, is advantageous but nevertheless voluntary.
Liability
A registration will not be issued without corresponding liability insurance. Ship liability insurance covers damages that your boat causes to other water vehicles or persons. By law, the amount of cover in Switzerland must be at least CHF 2 million.
Partial comprehensive cover
Partial comprehensive boat insurance covers damages that result from external effects. This normally includes:
- Damages from fire, flooding, storm
- Theft
- Glass breakage
- Malicious damage
- Piracy
- Damages during winter storage
Full comprehensive cover (collision cover)
Full comprehensive insurance for motorboats and sailing boats covers damages for which the driver is personally responsible, including damages through external influence (partial comprehensive cover). Insurers offer different cover varieties for comprehensive boat insurance:
- Individual-risk cover (insured benefits are listed)
- All-risk cover (everything that is not explicitly excluded is insured)
FAQ
No, rowing boats and rubber dinghies are exempt from the insurance obligation pursuant to the Swiss Inland Waterway Navigation Regulation. In the event of a claim, your personal liability insurer must pay the damage. It is advisable to study the insurance terms of the personal liability insurer for exclusions.
The premium is also dependent on the following factors:
- Motorboat or sailing boat
- Horsepower
- Price, size and age of the water vehicle
- Chosen deductible
- Cover amount for boat liability
- Cover variety for full comprehensive cover
- Insurance provider
- Possible supplementary cover
- Navigation area (inland waterways, North Sea, Mediterranean)
This cover is not mandatory. With supplementary cover, you can also protect yourself against claims by water skiers.
With individual-risk cover, all insured risks are listed individually in the insurance terms. With all-risk cover, all risks are insured, and exclusions are accordingly noted in the water vehicle insurer’s terms.