Key points at a glance
- Prevention and individual protection: We advise you so that conflicts do not arise in the first place and, in the event of an emergency, we take care of your legal concerns, tailored to the individual needs of your company.
- Professional advice: Our specialized lawyers and legal experts provide professional support, advice, and guidance on your legal issues – so that you know your rights.
- Securing your livelihood: We assume the financial risk if you become involved in disputes. At the same time, our legal protection insurance allows you to keep the costs of legal matters under control.
Purchase advice: 052 269 21 60
What is commercial legal protection insurance?
Commercial legal protection insurance covers the financial risks of legal disputes in everyday business life for companies and self-employed persons. In insured cases, it covers the costs of lawyers, courts, proceedings, expert opinions, out-of-court settlements, mediation, and legal fees paid to the opposing party.
It is particularly useful in disputes arising from contracts with customers or suppliers, as well as in labor law conflicts with employees, and can be expanded with additional modules such as traffic legal protection, depending on the offer.
In these situations, AXA-ARAG covers both the cost risk and provides expert advice on labor, contract, and criminal law protection for companies. It guides you individually through the entire process and gives you the freedom you need to focus on what moves your business forward. Just as your own legal department would do.
Why is commercial legal protection insurance a good idea?
Commercial legal protection insurance makes sense because it protects against the high costs and risks of legal disputes with employees, business partners, or authorities. This applies, for example, to procedural and court costs. This is because anyone who takes legal action in Switzerland must pay these costs in advance – in addition to their own legal fees. A financial challenge for any company – from sole proprietorships to corporations.
Even if the suit is won, the plaintiff is responsible for claiming reimbursement of all costs incurred as well as any benefits awarded. If the losing party cannot pay, the plaintiff must bear the default risk themselves. Due to this arrangement, many companies and self-employed persons forgo pursuing their claims in court, even when the legal situation is clear. Here, the only thing that can help is legal protection insurance, which covers the risk of costs and services in the event of legal cases against payment of a comparably low premium.
Which additional modules does our insurance offer?
Good commercial legal protection offers individual options to expand coverage. After all, no two companies are alike – regardless of the sector, size, or risks. With additional modules and supplementary coverage, you can expand your legal protection according to your needs.
Employees
The “Employees” module offers legal support for questions regarding work permits, employment references, and termination. It helps you reduce uncertainty in dealing with your team.
Which cases are insured?
- Labor law: Disputes with employees, for example regarding termination, vacation entitlements, permits, or wage claims – including temporary staff and temporary employment agencies.
- Employment law liability: In cases of violations of minimum working and wage conditions or liability issues with subcontractors.
- Authorities and administration: Disputes with professional commissions, insurance companies, and criminal or administrative proceedings.
Service: If needed, you will receive neutral, non-legal prevention coaching for conflicts with employees through AXA WeCare.
Customers & Suppliers
The “Customers & Suppliers” module offers legal support with conflicts and questions relating to dealings with customers, suppliers, and other service providers.
Which cases are insured?
- Contracts: Corporate contract legal protection covers legal questions and disputes arising from contracts with customers, suppliers and service providers that are not already covered by the “Everyday Operations” module.
- Service: This module covers the collection of three receivables per insurance year.
Supplementary coverage:
- Debt Collection PLUS: Debt collection legal protection extends the module to an unlimited number of due, undisputed claims.
- Customs law: Disputes and questions concerning rulings by the Swiss customs authorities.
- Public tenders: Support with legal questions regarding submissions.
Vehicles
The “Vehicles” module offers legal support in disputes involving road, rail, maritime, and air traffic. It covers questions and cases related to vehicles, business travel, and traffic offenses, reducing legal uncertainties in these areas.
Which cases are insured?
- Participation in road traffic: Disputes and legal issues in criminal and administrative proceedings, as well as regarding damages, redress, and insurance benefits after an accident.
- Vehicles: Legal questions concerning possession, ownership, contracts, taxes, and duties of your insured vehicles.
- Business trips and travel (not including commutes to and from work): Additional protection regarding legal issues related to transportation and accommodation.
Additional Properties
The “Additional Properties” module offers legal support in disputes related to properties, land, storage facilities, and garage spaces that are not used for business purposes. It helps reduce uncertainties in the management of these properties and includes advice and support on legal issues and cases.
Which cases are insured?
- Properties: Legal questions and disputes as a tenant or lessee regarding purchase, sale, and reservation
- Construction owners: Disputes as a building owner, for example due to new construction, extensions, and conversions of properties or due to building maintenance.
- Arguments with neighbors: Disputes with neighbors, for example due to noise, odors, or other emissions
- Ownership and property law: Disputes arising from ownership or property, for example commercially-used real estate
- Expropriation: Disputes due to expropriation of property and equivalent restrictions on ownership by the state
Supplementary coverage: Rental of properties
If you rent or lease real estate, you are also protected in the event of legal issues and disputes with tenants or lessees.
Law PLUS
The “Law PLUS” module extends your legal expenses insurance to include additional areas of law not covered by the other modules. It offers more comprehensive legal support and covers additional issues and cases.
Legal Advice PLUS
- Legal advice on legal areas not covered by the other modules
- Review of contracts with Swiss jurisdiction and Swiss law
Legal Protection PLUS
- Legal advice on legal areas not covered by the other modules
- Review of contracts with Swiss jurisdiction and Swiss law
- Comprehensive legal protection in connection with legal areas not covered by the other modules
What advantages does AXA-ARAG commercial legal protection insurance offer?
- Modular commercial legal protection insurance with effective legal services and high financial security
- Individual selection of insurance modules to suit your company
- Coverage of costs in insured cases for advice, representation, and proceedings up to CHF 1,500,000 per policy year
- Access to legal services and MyRight, practical legal tips, checklists, and templates
- Free employment reference generator via MyRight
- Extensive network of lawyers that complements the comprehensive solution and minimizes legal risks in everyday business
Legal protection insurance for companies GIC
Other legal protection offers for companies
Frequently asked questions
Is commercial legal protection insurance mandatory?
No, commercial legal protection insurance isn’t mandatory, but it is highly recommended. With a company, unexpected conflicts can often occur, for example if a neighbor officially objects to the conversion of your office building, an insurance company refuses to pay indemnity, or you have trouble with the authorities in connection with a permit.
Do small businesses also need commercial legal protection insurance?
Problems with customers, questions about tenancy law, trouble with a web domain: Even small businesses are not immune to legal disputes, which can quickly become a threat to their existence. Thanks to modular legal protection insurance, you can tailor your legal protection to your company’s needs and only pay for what you require.
Is there a waiting or qualifying period?
No, we don’t impose a waiting period. With our legal protection insurance for companies, you’re covered from day one.
What can I do if I need help with an ongoing legal case but don’t yet have legal protection insurance for my company?
Opt for our one-time legal phone consultation for companies for CHF 99 on MyRight. Our legal experts will be happy to advise you over the phone on the next steps to take.
I have commercial third-party liability insurance. Isn’t that enough to cover legal disputes?
It’s great that you have personal liability insurance. It protects you in cases where you’re at fault, for example if you have caused damage to another vehicle. However, if someone else has damaged your car, and you want to claim compensation, that’s when you need legal protection insurance. Liability and legal protection insurance complement each other perfectly and offer all-round coverage.
Other offers for companies
Cyber insurance for companies
Data loss, espionage, or extortion: Cyber insurance from AXA protects your company against the financial losses a cyber attack might cause.
Commercial third-party liability
Our commercial liability insurance provides you with comprehensive protection against the financial consequences of personal injury, property damage, and financial loss for which your company can be held liable.
Data protection and AI: What companies need to know
Two out of three companies are already using or testing AI – but clear rules for its use are often still lacking. Learn how SMEs can use AI safely and avoid data privacy risks in the blog.