What applies to accidents in a home office?

An accident can be considered an occupational accident even in a home office. Essentially, accident insurance considers working at a desk at home no different from working at a desk at the office. These examples are considered occupational accidents: Walking to the kitchen: If an employee has an accident while getting a drink during work hours, this is considered an occupational accident. Walking to the bathroom: If an employed person trips on the way to the bathroom or back to their desk, then this is also considered an occupational accident. Specific commutes: People who work from home generally have no commute to work. But if an employee takes their children to daycare before work or picks them up afterwards, then these trips to and from home are considered commutes. In this case, an accident is covered by mandatory accident insurance. Activities that are purely personal in nature are not considered occupational accidents. For example, if a person hurts themselves while bringing their trash outside, this is not an occupational accident. Another important thing to remember is that there are often no witnesses in a home office. This is why accidents need to be carefully documented.

Accident insurance: Protect your employees

Q: Who pays the premiums for accident insurance?

Premiums for occupational accident and illness insurance are paid wholly by the employer. Premiums for non-occupational accident insurance are generally paid by employees – the employer deducts the premium directly from their salary. If a collective bargaining agreement exists, then in many cases the employer must pay for half of the premiums for non-occupational accidents. For companies that do not have a collective bargaining agreement, the employer can decide whether they would like to help pay for some of the costs.

Q: Do SMEs need accident insurance?

Yes. In Switzerland, accident insurance for SMEs with employees is mandatory. As an employer, you are required by law to insure your employees pursuant to the Accident Insurance Act against occupational and non-occupational accidents as well as occupational illnesses. The annual salary of your employees is insured up to a maximum of CHF 148,200. If you employ people who earn more than this, then you can voluntarily insure the part of their salary that exceeds this amount through AIA supplementary accident insurance . In addition to accident insurance, there are also other social insurances that are mandatory for SMEs in Switzerland – such as occupational benefits insurance. You can find more information about pension funds for SMEs & start-ups here. The best way to find out which solutions make sense for your company is to set up a personal consultation.

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Key points about accident insurance

Legal obligation: Under the Accident Insurance Act, employers must insure employees against the financial consequences of occupational accidents and illnesses. Non-occupational accident insurance is mandatory for any employee working at least eight hours per week.
Comprehensive protection: Accident insurance pays for treatment and medical expenses, such as for doctors, hospitals or medications. It provides daily benefits to cover the loss of income due to work absences.
Attractive additional benefits: In addition to the benefits prescribed by law, AXA offers access to additional services, such as digital accident notification, WeCare and the Accident Card.

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What is mandatory accident insurance?

Accident insurance is mandatory under Swiss law. It insures employees against the financial consequences of occupational and non-occupational accidents as well as occupational illnesses.

Mandatory accident insurance is a type of occupational accident insurance. The principles of mandatory accident insurance are based on the Accident Insurance Act (AIA) (in German), which clearly defines the insurance coverage and benefits, such as treatment costs, daily benefits and pensions.

What’s the difference between an occupational accident, an occupational illness and a non-occupational accident?

Occupational accident: Any accident that occurs while someone is doing their job or on a break at work or immediately before or after their working hours.
Occupational illness: Any illness that is mainly attributable to a person’s job – e.g. as a result of inhaling harmful substances.
Non-occupational accident: Any accident that happens during free time, e.g. while playing sports, at home or driving. Non-occupational accident insurance is also required for any employees who work at least eight hours per week.

Who is covered by the accident insurance required under the Accident Insurance Act?

The insurance covers the following employees, among others:

Full-time employees
Part-time employees
Interns
Trainees

What benefits does mandatory accident insurance include?

The benefits offered by mandatory accident insurance are defined by law in Switzerland. They cover cost reimbursements, medical care and continued salary payments:

Cost reimbursements and medical care

Outpatient treatment (treatment costs) by a doctor as well as medical personnel
Prescribed medications and examinations
Necessary travel, transportation and rescue costs
Inpatient treatment in the general hospital ward
Medical aids to assist with physical impairments (e.g. prosthetics)
Necessary medical treatment abroad
At-home care and assistance

Continued payment of salary

Accident insurance under the Accident Insurance Act helps defray the financial costs of an accident for employees and their family by providing continued salary payments in the form of daily benefits for work absences and pensions for disability or death. An annual maximum salary under the Accident Insurance Act of CHF 148,200 per person serves as the basis for the insured earnings. If a person earns more, then this difference must be insured through AIA supplementary accident insurance.

Mandatory accident insurance provides the following continued salary payments, depending on the type of accident:

Continued salary payment based on type of accident

Benefit	Scenario	Coverage
Daily benefits	The insured becomes unable to work after an accident	From the third day following the accident, they receive 80% of their insured salary calculated on the basis of the contractual working hours
Disability pension	An accident leads to a permanent or long-lasting disability	If the person is fully disabled, the pension amounts to 80% of insured earnings. This amount is reduced accordingly for partial disability. The sum of benefits from statutory old age and disability pensions may not exceed 90% of insured earnings.
Survivors' pension	An accident results in death	Entitled survivors receive a pension: 40% for widows and widowers, 15% for each half-orphan and 25% for each full orphan. Overall, the upper limit of 70% for individual benefits applies to widowers, half-orphans and full orphans. The sum of benefits from survivors', statutory old age and disability pensions is at most 90% of insured earnings.
Impairment compensation	Following an accident, a permanent physical or mental impairment remains	The insurance pays out a one-time lump sum. The amount is in line with the percentage of impairment
Helplessness allowance	The insured is permanently reliant on assistance for their daily needs following an accident	The insurance provides additional compensation that is calculated based on the degree of helplessness

When can accident insurance benefits be reduced or refused?

If weighty reasons or gross negligence is involved, the insurance benefits for an accident may be reduced or refused altogether. Some examples include:

Speeding
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Active participation in a physical altercation

What's the difference between mandatory and AIA supplementary accident insurance?

Mandatory accident insurance is required basic insurance. AIA supplementary accident insurance expands this legally required protection with additional benefits for your employees.

The following overview shows what mandatory accident insurance covers under the Accident Insurance Act and which additional benefits supplementary accident insurance offers.

Mandatory accident insurance vs. AIA supplementary accident insurance

Topic	Accident Insurance Act	AIA supplementary accident insurance
Mandatory	Mandatory for employers with employees	Voluntary supplementary insurance
Purpose	Statutory basic coverage for accidents and occupational illness	Expanded accident coverage that goes beyond the legal obligation
Insured salary	Up to the Accident Insurance Act maximum salary of CHF 148,200 per year	Salary components that exceed the Accident Insurance Act maximum can also be insured
Daily benefits	Starting on the third day after the accident	Daily benefits can be provided from the first day
Hospital benefits	Inpatient treatment in the general hospital ward	Additional costs for semi-private or private hospital rooms can be insured
Abroad	Limited coverage, e.g. for treatment and transportation costs	Comprehensive coverage for accidents abroad possible
Pensions	Pensions on disability or death pursuant to the Accident Insurance Act	Expanded pension benefits possible, also for salary components exceeding the Accident Insurance Act maximum
Lump-sum benefits	No additional lump-sum benefits may be chosen	Additional funds on disability or death can be insured
Exclusions	Benefits can be reduced or refused in certain cases	Exclusions coverage is possible, e.g. for hazardous activities or gross negligence
Employer attractiveness	Fulfills legal obligation	Enhances attractiveness as employer due to better accident benefits

In short: Mandatory accident insurance is required by law. AIA supplementary accident insurance lets you give your employees additional protection and reduces any financial gaps following an accident.

What does accident insurance for companies cost?

The cost of accident insurance primarily depends on the following factors:

Industry
Payroll amount
Claims history
Selected supplementary benefits, e.g. AIA supplementary accident insurance

Companies can expect an average ranging from about 1% to 4% of the payroll amount for accident insurance. You can see what accident insurance will cost you by using our accident and daily benefits insurance premium calculator.

Why should you take out mandatory accident insurance from AXA?

You can depend on AXA to provide all mandatory benefits. As an employer, you can also benefit from accident insurance as provided for under the law on accident insurance. In addition to covering the financial impact of an accident for your company, we offer you efficient, individual coordination of benefits together with useful services that save you time and stress when accidents occur.

As the leading provider in the accident insurance market in Switzerland, AXA can assist you with:

Comprehensive benefits: AXA takes care of treatment and medical costs, daily benefits and pensions if your employees become partially or fully unable to work due to an accident.
Spend less time on paperwork with online claims filing: You can report accident claims quickly and easily online.
Straightforward payroll declaration: Using myAXA or electronic salary notification, you can submit your salary data in just a few clicks for calculating the final annual premium for accident and illness insurance.
All in one policy: Expand your mandatory accident insurance with AIA supplementary accident insurance and daily benefits – all in a single policy available from AXA.
Insurance Check: Take three minutes to see what insurance your company needs and insure yourself against your individual risks.

AXA supplementary accident insurance customers benefit from these services

How do I report an accident to accident insurance?

As an employer, you are required to report accidents to accident insurance without delay. You can easily submit the report in just a few steps online:

1. Start accident report

Click on “Report accident“ and then select “Enter report now”.

2. Select type of notification

Select “Report an accident” and choose the appropriate option:

Occupational accident
Non-occupational accident
Other accident insurance

Accidents on the way to or from work: are considered occupational accidents for people who work fewer than eight hours per week for a given employer. For people who work eight or more hours a week, the accident is considered a non-occupational accident.

3. Describe event

Enter whether the event is an accident, minor accident, relapse, dental injury or occupational illness.

4. Enter information and complete report

Enter all relevant information, including information about the insured person, the events of the accident and treatment, among other things. The form will take you through all required fields. Carefully review all information, upload any documents and submit the report.

If the inability to work lasts more than 30 days, you must also report the accident to occupational benefits insurance. Disability insurance must also be notified before six months have passed.

What applies to accidents abroad?

Mandatory accident insurance also steps in for accidents outside of Switzerland. However, there are two restrictions:

It pays out only twice the amount of what the accident would have cost if it had occurred in Switzerland instead of abroad.
If any expenses involving rescue, retrieval, travel or transportation abroad are incurred, no more than one fifth of the maximum amount of CHF 148,200 of the insured annual salary will be reimbursed.

Especially for business trips to countries with costly healthcare systems, such as the US or Canada, it is advisable to take out additional insurance coverage. AIA supplementary accident insurance from AXA will give you the best coverage possible.

Remember that a payment guarantee from the accident insurer is generally required for treatment abroad following an accident. This allows foreign treatment providers to ensure that the treatment costs incurred will be covered in each individual case.

In such cases, the Accident Card from AXA can help you out: You and your staff can reach AXA around the clock at the telephone numbers listed and receive immediate preauthorization for basic coverage. Your staff is thus well protected at all times while abroad and will receive rapid assistance should the worst happen.

Downloads

Mandatory acccident insurance (UVG) – General insurance conditions (GIC) [.pdf , 99KB]

Support and frequently asked questions about accident insurance

Premiums for occupational accident and illness insurance are paid wholly by the employer.

Premiums for non-occupational accident insurance are generally paid by employees – the employer deducts the premium directly from their salary.

If a collective bargaining agreement exists, then in many cases the employer must pay for half of the premiums for non-occupational accidents. For companies that do not have a collective bargaining agreement, the employer can decide whether they would like to help pay for some of the costs.

Social insurance law makes a clear distinction between accidents and illness.

An accident is when an unusual external factor suddenly and unintentionally impacts the human body thereby impairing physical, mental or psychological health or resulting in death.

An illness is any impairment of health that is not the result of an accident and results in medical treatment or the inability to work.

Yes. Employees are covered by mandatory insurance against occupational accidents and occupational diseases, whatever their working hours. This includes the journey to and from work from leaving home until returning directly home.

Employers must take out mandatory accident insurance for all employees.

Accident insurance under AIA is not mandatory for the self-employed. But you can also choose to take out accident insurance in accordance with the Accident Insurance Act if you like.

This is not the case for owners of a GmbH or AG: If you are employed by your own GmbH or AG, then you are considered an employee. In this case, the company must take out mandatory accident insurance for you.

Accident insurance is always mandatory for your employees.

Their mandatory coverage against non-occupational accidents remains in place, provided they are still entitled to 50% of their salary. Their coverage ends 31 days after their employment terminates. Interim accident insurance allows them to extend their statutory coverage by up to six months.

People who aren’t in paid employment – e.g. housewives and house husbands, children, students, and retirees – are by definition not exposed to the risk of occupational accidents. They must insure themselves against non-occupational accidents and their consequences through basic health insurance.

An accident can be considered an occupational accident even in a home office. Essentially, accident insurance considers working at a desk at home no different from working at a desk at the office.

These examples are considered occupational accidents:

Walking to the kitchen: If an employee has an accident while getting a drink during work hours, this is considered an occupational accident.
Walking to the bathroom: If an employed person trips on the way to the bathroom or back to their desk, then this is also considered an occupational accident.
Specific commutes: People who work from home generally have no commute to work. But if an employee takes their children to daycare before work or picks them up afterwards, then these trips to and from home are considered commutes. In this case, an accident is covered by mandatory accident insurance.

Activities that are purely personal in nature are not considered occupational accidents. For example, if a person hurts themselves while bringing their trash outside, this is not an occupational accident.

Another important thing to remember is that there are often no witnesses in a home office. This is why accidents need to be carefully documented.

AIA supplementary accident insurance is useful if you wish to expand the solid basic coverage of mandatory accident insurance in a targeted manner.

Mandatory accident insurance generally provides good coverage in Switzerland, but its limitations are clearly defined, such as for accidents abroad, higher salaries or additional benefits.

If an employee regularly works abroad or earns more than CHF 148,200 per year, then mandatory accident insurance will quickly reach its limits. In such cases, AIA supplementary accident insurance can close these specific gaps.

This is the case, for example, if:

You would like to insure salaries that exceed the mandatory accident insurance maximum amount.
You would like to offer better hospital benefits.
You would like to more comprehensively insure employees who travel abroad.
You would like to make provisions for additional lump sums on death or disability.
You would like your employees to receive daily benefits from the first day.
You would like to improve your attractiveness as an employer with better accident benefits.

Yes. In Switzerland, accident insurance for SMEs with employees is mandatory.

As an employer, you are required by law to insure your employees pursuant to the Accident Insurance Act against occupational and non-occupational accidents as well as occupational illnesses.

The annual salary of your employees is insured up to a maximum of CHF 148,200. If you employ people who earn more than this, then you can voluntarily insure the part of their salary that exceeds this amount through AIA supplementary accident insurance.

In addition to accident insurance, there are also other social insurances that are mandatory for SMEs in Switzerland – such as occupational benefits insurance. You can find more information about pension funds for SMEs & start-ups here.

The best way to find out which solutions make sense for your company is to set up a personal consultation.

A woman with glasses and a bun is concentrating on her laptop in a bright and comfortable living room with a cup of coffee.

How can you reduce your risk of accidents?

Accident prevention teaches your employees the most important rules about preventing accidents and workplace safety, so you lower your risk of accidents and accident-related absences – and save money and resources.