What is partial accidental damage insurance?
Partial accidental damage supplements motor vehicle liability insurance, which is mandatory in Switzerland. Partial accidental damage insurance – which is voluntary – covers you for the financial consequences of damage to your car caused by natural hazards, animals and unknown persons. For example, AXA partial accidental damage insurance pays for the repairs if your car is damaged in a hailstorm or your windshield gets chipped by road debris.
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What does partial accidental damage insurance cover?
Partial accidental damage from AXA covers the cost of repairs or replacements for damage to your vehicle caused by natural hazards, animals or unknown persons. The following are examples of insured events:
- Malicious damage (e.g. slashed tires, side-view mirrors deliberately torn off)
- Loss or damage as a result of theft including car hacking and misappropriation
- Damage from natural hazards such as hail, fire, floods or lightning strikes
- Collision with animals (e.g. wildlife accident) as cause of damage
- Damage caused by martens and rodents, especially bite and consequential damage
You can also choose to add the following benefits to partial accidental damage insurance:
- Damage to parked vehicle: Dents and scratches to your parked vehicle caused by an unknown person or vehicle are covered by parking damage insurance
- Headlights and side-view mirrors: Protection against damage caused by an external influence
- Tires and rims (e.g. flat tires or scratches on the rims)
- Personal belongings in the vehicle: Covers personal belongings in the vehicle that are damaged when the vehicle is damaged or that are stolen from a locked vehicle.
- Loss of and damage to vehicle keys: the add-on insurance supplements AXA partial accidental damage insurance and covers the costs for replacing keys, including the costs necessary for changing out the locks.
- For motorcycles: Motorcycle clothing (including protective clothing such as helmets, boots, etc.) is insured against damage in a motorcycle accident or theft.
What is not covered by partial accidental damage insurance?
Partial accidental damage insurance excludes coverage for certain damage that you cause due to gross negligence, operating damage or accidents for which you are responsible.
Operational damage: Partial accidental damage does not cover any damage due to operation:
- Loss or damage without violent external influence or
- Loss or damage due to an internal defect, e.g. missing or frozen fluids, operating errors, faulty or fatigued materials, wear and tear, exceeded capacity, malfunction of electrical and electronic components.
Nor does partial accidental damage pay if you misfuel (e.g. gas instead of diesel).
Accidents caused by you: If, for example, you scrape the bumper of another vehicle or hit someone while you are backing up, partial accidental damage will not pay for the damage to your vehicle. If you want to insure your vehicle for damage you cause, you need comprehensive accidental damage insurance.
What's the difference between partial accidental damage, comprehensive accidental damage and liability insurance?
| Type of insurance | Coverage | For whom? |
| Liability | Bodily injury and property damage suffered by a third party | Mandatory for everyone |
| Partial accidental damage | Covers damage to your vehicle that you did not cause, such as hail damage or theft. | Voluntary add-on insurance for people who want to protect their car against natural hazards, theft and malicious damage. |
| Comprehensive accidental damage | In addition to partial accidental damage benefits, it also covers collision damage to your car. | Voluntary add-on insurance that is worthwhile for new or valuable vehicles. It is mandatory for leasing vehicles. |
Tip: Whether you take out partial or comprehensive accidental damage insurance for your car depends on various factors, such as the age or condition of the vehicle. Our advisors will be happy to help you make the right choice.
Who can benefit from partial accidental damage insurance?
Whether partial accidental damage insurance is worth it for you depends on various factors, such as the value of your vehicle and whether it's new or used.
Partial accidental damage insurance is worthwhile for you if:
- You would find it difficult to pay out of your own pocket for damage, e.g. resulting from a natural hazard such as hail or from theft – especially if your car is new or expensive.
- You often park your car on the side of the street or in large cities.
- You aren’t able/don’t want to pay for expensive repair costs yourself, such as for a new windshield.
Frequently asked questions about partial accidental damage insurance
What additional coverages does AXA have for partial accidental damage?
- Gross negligence: You still receive full benefits even in the event of damage caused by gross negligence (e.g. crossing a double yellow line or running a red light).
- Bonus protection: Protect your no claims discount even after an accident. With bonus protection, your no claims level remains unchanged and continues to drop with claim-free driving down to a minimum of 30 percent.
- Roadside assistance including onward travel: If the insured vehicle breaks down due to a flat tire, collision or other damage caused by natural events, animals or unknown persons, AXA will organize and pay for roadside assistance including up to CHF 500 per person for direct travel back home or for continuing your trip.
- Replacement vehicle: The costs for a replacement vehicle are covered if you total your car or while your car is being repaired (due to an accident or breakdown).
- E-mobility charging station: Insurance covers your charging station and mobile charging equipment if they are damaged or stolen.
- E-mobility battery: Insurance covers damage to your high voltage batteries caused by operational errors, power surges, overcurrent, total discharge, malfunctioning of the charging device or unusual loss of capacity.
- Vehicle legal protection: This add-on gives you legal protection when you’re driving your car or riding your motorbike. Our experts advise you on legal questions about the next steps and assist you if there are any disputes about your vehicle, such as if you’d like to contest the excessive bill you’ve received from your car repair shop.
- Injury to you and your passengers: Insurance covers injuries resulting from an accident with the insured vehicle. This means increased benefits from existing accident insurance (e.g. private hospital room).
Is partial accidental damage insurance mandatory in Switzerland?
No, partial accidental damage insurance is voluntary in Switzerland. You can add it to mandatory liability insurance in order to insure your vehicle against damage – e.g. natural hazards, theft or animals.
What is the deductible for partial accidental damage?
The deductible is the amount that you must pay out of your own pocket for a partial accidental damage claim. The insurance pays the full claim amount less the amount you pay. The deductible is calculated individually for each claim.
Does partial accidental damage cover marten bites?
Yes, partial accidental damage insurance covers damage caused by martens and other rodents. Damage caused by martens, especially bites and the consequential damage, is insured. This includes, for example, chewed through cables and the resulting damage such as short circuits or engine damage.
Does partial accidental damage cover broken windshields?
Yes, partial accidental damage from AXA covers glass breakage to windshields, side or rear windows and sunroofs and even if your windshield gets chipped by road debris. However, it does not include damage to headlights or sideview mirrors. You have the option of insuring these as well.