Insurance for Swiss startups

Insurance for Swiss startups includes mandatory social insurance (AHV, UVG, BVG) as well as recommended business insurance: business liability, legal protection, cyber insurance and property insurance. Costs from CHF 500 per year for basic coverage.

Mandatory personal insurance:

AHV/IV/EO (1st pillar):

  • Contribution rate: 10.6% of salary (half each employer/employee)
  • Minimum annual contribution: CHF 514 for self-employed
  • Maximum annual contribution: CHF 25,900 for CHF 148,200 income
  • Registration: At cantonal compensation fund
  • Benefits: Old-age pension, disability pension, survivor's pension

Accident insurance (UVG):

  • Mandatory for: All employees (over 8 hours/week)
  • Coverage: Occupational and non-occupational accidents, occupational diseases
  • Benefits: Up to 80% of insured salary
  • Ceiling: CHF 148,200 per year (status 2025)
  • Costs: 1-3% of salary depending on sector

Occupational pension (BVG, 2nd pillar):

  • Mandatory from: CHF 22,680 annual income (status 2025)
  • Age limits: Risk coverage from 18, old-age provision from 25
  • Contribution rates: 7-18% depending on age
  • Employer share: At least 50%
  • Coordination deduction: CHF 25,725 (2025)

Daily sickness allowance insurance (KTG):

  • Legally: Not mandatory, but highly recommended
  • Salary continuation: Employer must pay salary in case of illness
  • Duration: 3 weeks to 6 months depending on canton
  • Costs: 1-3% of payroll
  • Advantage: Plannable costs instead of incalculable risk

Recommended business insurance:

Business liability insurance:

  • Coverage: Personal injury, property damage and financial loss
  • Insurance sum: CHF 2-20 million
  • Costs: CHF 300-1,500 per year
  • Important for: All companies with customer contact
  • Exclusions: Intentional damage, fines

Legal protection insurance:

  • Coverage: Legal disputes up to CHF 500,000
  • Areas: Contracts, labor law, criminal law
  • Costs: CHF 200-800 per year
  • Deductible: CHF 200-1,000 per case
  • Advantage: Legal advice and cost protection

Cyber insurance:

  • Coverage: Data breaches, hacker attacks
  • Benefits: Data recovery, notification costs
  • Insurance sum: CHF 100,000-5 million
  • Costs: CHF 500-5,000 per year
  • Prevention: IT security training included

Property insurance:

  • Inventory insurance: Office furniture, IT equipment
  • Goods insurance: Stock and inventory
  • Insurance sum: According to inventory value
  • Costs: 0.1-0.5% of insurance sum
  • Perils: Fire, burglary, water, storm

Industry-specific insurance:

IT and software:

  • E&O insurance: Professional liability for consulting
  • Cyber insurance: Particularly important
  • Fidelity damage: Protection against dishonest employees
  • Costs: CHF 1,000-3,000 per year

Medtech and pharma:

  • Product liability: Mandatory for medical devices
  • Clinical trials: Special insurance required
  • Recall cost insurance: In case of product defects
  • Costs: CHF 2,000-10,000 per year

Fintech:

  • D&O insurance: Directors and officers insurance
  • Cyber insurance: Higher coverage required
  • Financial lines: Special coverages
  • Costs: CHF 3,000-15,000 per year

E-commerce:

  • Goods in transit insurance: Shipping and logistics
  • Returns insurance: Cover returns
  • Cyber insurance: Online shop risks
  • Costs: CHF 800-3,000 per year

Insurance costs by company size:

Solo startup (1 person):

  • Basic package: CHF 500-1,500 per year
  • Business liability: CHF 300-600
  • Legal protection: CHF 200-400
  • Cyber insurance: CHF 300-600

Small team (2-5 people):

  • Total costs: CHF 2,000-5,000 per year
  • Social insurance: 25-30% of payroll
  • Business insurance: CHF 1,000-2,000
  • Additional insurance: CHF 500-1,500

Growing startup (6-20 people):

  • Total costs: CHF 5,000-15,000 per year
  • BVG solution: Pension fund required
  • Extended coverage: Higher insurance sums
  • Special insurance: Industry-specific coverage

Optimization strategies:

Cost optimization:

  • Combination discounts: Multiple insurances with one insurer
  • Deductibles: Higher deductible = lower premiums
  • Risk management: Preventive measures reduce costs
  • Adjustment: Annual review of coverage

Insurance comparison:

  • Coverage scope: Don't compare price only
  • Service: Evaluate claims handling
  • Flexibility: Check adjustment possibilities
  • Reputation: Reviews and references

Avoiding common mistakes:

Under-insurance:

  • Coverage too low: Regularly adjust insurance sums
  • Missing policies: Cyber risks often underestimated
  • Outdated contracts: Not adapted to business development

Over-insurance:

  • Double coverage: Avoid overlaps
  • Unnecessary insurance: Conduct risk assessment
  • Premiums too expensive: Regular market comparisons

Claims handling:

Claim notification:

  • Immediate notification: Delays can jeopardize coverage
  • Documentation: Photos, receipts, witnesses
  • Damage mitigation: Avoid additional damage
  • Cooperation: Cooperate with insurer

Claim settlement:

  • Processing time: 2-8 weeks depending on complexity
  • Expert: For larger damages
  • Negotiation: Professional support
  • Payment: After verification and acceptance

Conclusion: A thoughtful insurance concept protects startups from existential risks. The right mix of mandatory and voluntary insurance ensures optimal protection for companies and employees.

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