What makes more sense: interim accident insurance or health insurance?
When an employment relationship ends, accident insurance ends as well. You can now protect yourself against accidents in two ways: through your health insurance or interim accident insurance.
In Switzerland, all employees have mandatory insurance against occupational accidents. Anyone who works at least eight hours a week is also insured against non-occupational accidents. But what happens when you give notice, retire or take time off? As soon as the employment relationship ends, there is a risk of a gap in coverage after 31 days. Here you can find out whether interim accident insurance or inclusion in your health insurance is the better choice in such a situation.
What’s the difference between interim accident insurance and health insurance?
There are clear differences in terms of scope of services, duration of coverage and costs. This is because accident coverage through employers is governed by the Accident Insurance Act (AIA). The “accident” supplement for basic insurance, on the other hand, is subject to the Health Insurance Act (HIA). Accident coverage under the AIA in Switzerland is much more attractive than that offered by health insurers.
What is the difference in coverage between interim accident insurance and health insurance?
- Interim accident insurance (in accordance with AIA) covers all medical expenses following an accident – with no franchise or deductible. In other words, the injured person does not contribute to the costs. Interim accident insurance also provides you with benefits such as daily benefits, pension benefits and assumption of costs for transportation, rescue or aids.
- Accident coverage provided by the health insurer (according to the HIA) only covers medical expenses, i.e. doctor’s visits, hospital stays, medication, etc. The health insurer does not offer AIA benefits such as daily benefits, pensions or impairment compensation. In addition, just as in the case of illness, the franchise and the deductible must be paid.
What is the difference between interim accident insurance and health insurance when taking them out and in their duration?
- Interim accident insurance can be taken out within 31 days, after entitlement to at least half your salary ends. This allows you to extend your non-occupational accident insurance under OPA by up to 6 months.
- Accident coverage from the health insurer can be taken out at any time and has no time limit. It will continue until revoked. As soon as you have provided proof that you are again insured under OPA, you can suspend the “accident” supplement from your basic insurance at the end of the month.
What are the differences in cost structures between interim accident insurance and health insurance?
- With interim accident insurance, you pay a flat-rate premium per month. You can pay the premium in advance by taking out your insurance online – directly with your employer’s current AIA insurer.
- If you include accident coverage with your health insurer, you pay a slightly higher premium for your basic health insurance. The exact difference depends on your health insurer and your canton of residence.
How much is the premium for interim accident insurance from AXA?
In Switzerland, you pay a standard premium of CHF 40 per month for AXA interim accident insurance, regardless of your age.
Interim accident insurance or health insurance: insurance coverage at a glance
| Interim accident insurance | Health insurance | |
| Daily benefits | Yes, salary replacement in the event of an accident (as a percentage of the insured salary) | No |
| Pensions | Yes, e.g. disability or survivors’ pension | No |
| Medical aids | Yes, such as prostheses or orthopedic aids | Limited |
| Impairment compensation | Yes, payment for permanent impairment | No |
| Transportation and rescue costs | Yes, in accordance with AIA | Limited in accordance with HIA |
| Franchise amount | No | Yes, between CHF 300 and 2,500 |
| Deductible | No | Yes, after making full use of your franchise 10 percent of the costs |
| Period of validity | Extension of mandatory accident insurance by up to 6 months | Automatic renewal until revoked |
When do I benefit from interim accident insurance?
Interim accident insurance is particularly advantageous if your coverage through your employer’s accident insurance ceases or is reduced.
- Reduced working hours
If you temporarily reduce your working hours to less than eight hours per week for an employer, coverage for non-occupational accidents under AIA ceases. Interim accident insurance extends existing coverage under your accident insurance. - Termination of the employment relationship
After termination, insurance coverage through the employer ends 31 days after the day on which entitlement to at least half your salary ends. - Employment relationship ends
AIA coverage will also expire if your employment relationship ends for other reasons, such as fixed-term contracts, the end of a project, the closure of your business or retirement. If there is no new job, there is no non-occupational accident insurance. Interim accident insurance closes this gap and secures your previous standard of benefits. - Extended maternity leave
If maternity leave lasts longer than required by law or you do not return to work immediately, AIA coverage lapses once the period has expired. Comprehensive insurance coverage is important during this sensitive phase. Interim accident insurance continues to protect you. - Unpaid leave or sabbatical
If you are planning an unpaid break or sabbatical, your employment relationship is often suspended without your salary being paid. This ends AIA coverage for non-occupational accidents. Interim accident insurance protects you against the financial consequences of an accident during your time off – whether in Switzerland or abroad.
Which is better: interim accident insurance or health insurance?
What matters is how comprehensive your insurance coverage should be in the event of an accident and what costs you can bear. The question “interim accident insurance or health insurance?” usually arises after an employment relationship ends. If you want to pay as little as possible, then health insurance is better suited to you. If you want to consistently protect against financial risks, interim accident insurance offers clear advantages.
Interim accident insurance is worthwhile if you...
- ...no longer have an employer: Without an employer, AIA coverage for non-occupational accidents ends after a short period of time. As a result, you lose accident insurance benefits that go beyond pure medical expenses. AXA’s interim accident insurance extends this protection without interruption and protects you at AIA level for a maximum of another six months.
- ...continue to insure daily benefits, pensions and other benefits: Prolonged absence from work after an accident can lead to a significant loss of income. AIA interim accident insurance pays you daily benefits as a salary replacement as well as any pension benefits. This will secure your financial existence, not just your medical bills.
In some cases, your health insurance may be sufficient if you...
- ...only want to insure medical costs: Accident coverage provided by health insurer covers the costs of doctors and hospitals as in the case of an illness. However, it does not cover AIA benefits such as daily benefits or pensions. If you only want to include medical costs, that may be enough.
- ...soon to be insured under AIA again: If you start a new job of more than eight hours per week within a short time, you will again receive AIA coverage through your employer. In this case, the health insurer will cover the interim period based on your basic insurance. This solution is particularly suitable for very short transition phases.
Summary: Take care of accident protection with interim accident insurance or health insurance
Without an employer, accident insurance coverage ends faster than many people expect. Interim accident insurance closes this gap and continues to offer comprehensive benefits at the AIA level – including daily benefits, pensions and assumption of costs for many claims. Accident coverage from health insurers, on the other hand, only offers a basic solution, with cost contribution and no salary replacement. When it comes to financial security after an accident, interim accident insurance is the better choice.
Frequently asked questions about interim accident insurance or health insurance
Am I covered by interim accident insurance or health insurance if I do military service, civilian service or civil defense?
No. During active duty, you are automatically covered by military insurance, even for accidents in your free time, so you don’t need interim accident insurance or accident coverage from your health insurer while you serve.
Do I need interim accident insurance if I am unemployed and entitled to daily unemployment benefits?
No. The Swiss Accident Insurance Fund (Suva) covers statutory accident insurance pursuant to the AIA while you are drawing daily unemployment benefits. This means that you remain covered for occupational and non-occupational accidents without having to take out separate insurance yourself.
Can I take out interim accident insurance with any provider?
No, you are not free to choose the provider. Interim accident insurance must be taken out with the insurer with which your current employer has mandatory accident insurance (AIA). If you are interested in taking out interim accident insurance, please contact the insurer concerned directly.
Does accident insurance really make sense?
Yes, especially if you no longer have AIA coverage through your employer. If you don’t have an employer, accident coverage from your health insurer generally only covers medical expenses such as medical and hospital treatment – with franchise and deductible. Interim accident insurance, on the other hand, extends your full AIA coverage for up to six months and pays, in addition to medical expenses, daily benefits as salary substitutes, pension benefits, impairment compensation, and transportation and rescue costs – with no franchise or deductible.
Written by:
Nadine Graf
Nadine Graf is a theme manager and writes texts for AXA on topics related to insurance and beyond.
