Daily sickness allowance for the self-employed: how to protect your income in case of illness

A flu infection is unpleasant. A slipped disc can put your livelihood at risk. If you are self-employed, illness often means: no income, but all your costs remain. Depending on the situation, loss of income can quickly amount to several thousand francs per month.

A typical example:
A self-employed business owner is unable to work for several months due to health issues. During this time, not only is income lost, but ongoing projects are delayed, some clients turn elsewhere, and fixed costs continue unchanged.

As a self-employed person in Switzerland, you are not automatically insured against loss of income. If you are unable to work for an extended period due to illness, your income stops while your ongoing costs remain. This is exactly where daily sickness allowance insurance comes in.

To mitigate this risk, it is advisable to take precautions at an early stage. By taking out daily sickness allowance insurance, self-employed individuals can protect themselves financially in the event of illness.

This is exactly where we come in:
we analyse your individual situation and transparently show you which level of cover is truly appropriate for you. We compare different solutions on the market and transparently outline the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

In a short time, you will find out if and where a risk exists.

Daily sickness allowance insurance secures your income if you are temporarily or longer-term unable to work due to illness. Depending on the chosen solution, you receive a daily allowance after a waiting period, based on your income.

First, a thorough analysis of your needs is required. With the help of our experts, you’ll determine the amount of your monthly income loss in the event of 100% incapacity to work.

To determine the appropriate level of cover, it is essential to analyse your individual situation in detail.

Depending on the situation, different insurance solutions can be combined effectively.

In the event of a claim, you will receive a daily allowance after the agreed waiting period has elapsed. The amount and duration of the benefits depend on the chosen insurance solution.

Our experts will be happy to assist you in identifying additional industry-specific factors that need to be taken into account.

Together with our expert, you’ll then define the insured daily allowance, the waiting period and the desired benefit duration. Daily sickness allowance insurance can be taken out under either the Health Insurance Act (HIA) or the Insurance Policies Act (IPA). But what does this mean, and what are the differences between the two options?

Depending on your situation, different insurance models may be suitable. In principle, a distinction is made between solutions under HIA and IPA:

Voluntary daily sickness allowance insurance under the Swiss Health Insurance Act (HIA) can be taken out as an individual insurance option for the self-employed or as collective insurance for businesses. Anyone residing in Switzerland, engaged in gainful employment and between the ages of 15 and 65 can choose to take out daily sickness allowance insurance under the HIA with the insurance provider of their choice.

As with basic health insurance, providers have an obligation to accept applicants. In other words, all interested individuals or groups can take out this insurance product. However, the insurer may require a health questionnaire to be completed before enrolment and may impose certain exclusions if necessary. These exclusions are valid for a maximum of five years after enrolment.

Premiums will be the same for men and women. Since the maximum insurable daily rate is low (from CHF 10 to CHF 30), taking out this insurance solution is generally not advantageous.

Unlike daily sickness allowance insurance under the HIA, this insurance variant is subject to the Swiss Insurance Policies Act (IPA). As with optional supplementary health insurance, insurers are free to set the conditions for enrolment, but unlike the HIA variant, providers are not obliged to accept applicants. This means that your application may be rejected by the insurer.

Premiums will be determined based on your age, gender and health status, and it may include other criteria depending on the insurance provider. Applicants are free to choose the daily allowance, waiting period and duration of benefits, and all these factors will affect the insurance premium. All essential aspects of the selected insurance product are specified and regulated in the policy and the general insurance conditions (GIC).

Daily allowances for pregnancy and childbirth are not included in the standard products of all providers, so we recommend that women contact us as early as possible before planning a pregnancy. Our experts will be happy to clarify which benefits are already covered and which can be integrated into your existing insurance policy with an additional insurance module.

For self-employed individuals, a solution under the ICA is in most cases advisable, as benefits, the level of daily allowance and the waiting period can be flexibly tailored to the individual situation.

However, which option is most suitable in your specific case depends on various factors and should be assessed individually.

Apart from your choice of insurance company, the following criteria can also influence the premiums you pay:

Our experts will be happy to obtain comparative quotes for you following a thorough analysis of your needs. They’ll help you decide on the best offer and are always available to answer any questions you may have.

Our insurance experts will provide you with professional support so you can focus on your business. They’ll take your needs into account and find the best solution for you and your industry on the insurance market. This service is free of charge for you.

For us to access your data with insurance companies as accredited brokers and obtain comparative quotes for you, we’ll need your written consent in the form of a brokerage mandate.

Simply download the mandate form, fill it in and send it to us via e-mail or by post to Union Swiss Brokers Holding AG, Lyssachstrasse 9, 3400 Burgdorf. We’ll contact you upon receipt to discuss the next steps.

Is daily sickness allowance insurance mandatory for the self-employed?

No, it is voluntary. This is why the risk of loss of income is often underestimated.

When do benefit payments start?

After the agreed waiting period has elapsed, for example after 30 or 60 days.

How long are daily benefits paid?

Depending on the chosen solution, this can range from several months to several years.

Can I choose the level of cover myself?

Yes, the amount of the daily allowance is tailored individually to your situation.

What happens without cover?

Without daily sickness allowance insurance, you would have to bear the full loss of income yourself.

This article was reviewed and updated in May 2026.