Excluding accident cover: yes or no?
If you work at least 8 hours a week for the same employer, you are insured against accidents through them and can drop the accident cover of your health insurance. This saves at most 7% of the premium. When your job ends, you must switch it back on.
One more question
Choose your situation. You then see whether you can drop accident cover.
Your savings without accident cover
Calculation based on the 2027 premiums approved by the FOPH, as at 15.10.2026, source: FOPH, health insurance premiums, opendata.swiss. Only the insurer’s quote or policy is binding. Legal information is general information, not individual advice. Methodology: How we calculate.
How to exclude accident cover
Check your cover
You need a job with at least 8 hours a week with the same employer (or daily allowances from unemployment insurance). If in doubt, ask HR whether you are insured against non-work-related accidents.
Art. 13 para. 1 UVV, Art. 1a para. 1 UVG
Apply in writing
Write to your health insurer that you are fully insured against accidents under the UVG and enclose proof, for example a confirmation from your employer. Many insurers have a form for this in their customer portal.
Art. 8 para. 1 KVG, Art. 11 para. 1 KVV
Lower premium from the following month
The exclusion starts at the earliest on the first day of the month after your application. The insurer must reduce the premium by the share for accident cover, by at most 7%.
Art. 11 para. 1 KVV, Art. 91a paras. 2 and 4 KVV
If you apply today (04.11.2026), the lower premium applies at the earliest from 01.12.2026 (Art. 11 para. 1 KVV).
When your job ends: switch accident cover back on
Your employer informs you
If your job or your non-work-related accident cover ends, your employer (or unemployment insurance) must tell you in writing that you have to report this to your health insurer.
Art. 10 para. 1 KVG, Art. 11 para. 2 KVV
Report to your insurer within one month
Within one month of being informed, you tell your health insurer that your UVG cover is ending. The accident cover of basic health insurance applies from the day UVG cover stops.
Art. 11 para. 2 KVV, Art. 8 para. 2 KVG
Otherwise you may have to pay arrears
If you do not report it, the insurer can claim the premium share for accident cover plus default interest retroactively from the end of UVG cover.
Art. 10 para. 2 KVG
Choose the date. We show you until when the UVG still covers you.
Art. 3 paras. 2 and 3 UVG, Art. 8 UVV, Art. 8 para. 2 KVG. Report the end of UVG cover to your insurer within one month of being informed by your employer (Art. 11 para. 2 KVV).
Between two jobs or during unpaid leave, you can extend your employer’s non-work-related accident insurance by up to six months with an extended cover agreement (Art. 3 para. 3 UVG). It must be taken out before cover ends (Art. 8 UVV).
Frequently asked questions
When can I exclude accident cover from my health insurance?
When you are fully insured against accidents on a compulsory basis under the UVG: as an employee working at least 8 hours a week for the same employer, or if you are entitled to unemployment benefit. The insurer excludes the cover on your written application with proof (Art. 8 para. 1 KVG, Art. 13 para. 1 UVV, Art. 11 para. 1 KVV).
How much do I save without accident cover?
The insurer may only reduce the premium by the share for accident cover, by at most 7% (Art. 91a para. 4 KVV). The accident check calculates the exact amount for your place of residence, year of birth, deductible and insurer using FOPH premiums.
I work 5 hours each for two employers. Can I exclude accident cover?
No. The 8 hours apply per employer (Art. 13 para. 1 UVV). Below this threshold, the UVG only covers work-related accidents and accidents on the way to and from work (Art. 8 para. 2 UVG, Art. 13 para. 2 UVV). Leisure accidents are then covered by basic health insurance.
What happens if I lose my job or resign?
UVG cover ends on the 31st day after the last day on which you receive at least half your salary (Art. 3 para. 2 UVG). From then on, basic health insurance covers accidents again (Art. 8 para. 2 KVG). You must report this to your insurer within one month of being informed by your employer (Art. 11 para. 2 KVV), otherwise it can claim the premium share plus default interest (Art. 10 para. 2 KVG).
What is an extended cover agreement?
With an extended cover agreement you extend your employer’s non-work-related accident insurance by up to six months, for example during unpaid leave or between two jobs (Art. 3 para. 3 UVG). You must take it out before cover ends (Art. 8 UVV). Your health insurer may keep the premium reduced during this time, but does not have to (Art. 91a para. 3 KVV).
From when does the lower premium apply?
At the earliest from the first day of the month after your written application (Art. 11 para. 1 KVV). It cannot be applied retroactively.
Am I insured under the UVG if I am self-employed?
Not on a compulsory basis. Self-employed people can take out voluntary UVG insurance (Art. 4 UVG). The insurer may then reduce the premium, but does not have to (Art. 91a para. 3 KVV). Without UVG insurance you need the accident cover of basic health insurance.
Sources
- Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG), Art. 8 to 10 (suspension of accident cover)fedlex.admin.ch
- Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV), Art. 11 (exclusion of accident cover)fedlex.admin.ch
- KVV, Art. 91a (premium reduction for other insurance, at most 7%)fedlex.admin.ch
- Accident Insurance Act (UVG), Art. 1a, 3, 4, 8 and 66fedlex.admin.ch
- Accident Insurance Ordinance (UVV), Art. 8 (extended cover agreement) and Art. 13 (part-time employees)fedlex.admin.ch
- FOPH, health insurance premiums (opendata.swiss): premiums with and without accident coveropendata.swiss