Insurance Guide for Businesses
Insurance solutions for businesses
Just as the variety of businesses in Switzerland is vast, so too is the range of insurance needs. Focus on your business – we’ve got you covered.
Insurance solutions for businesses
The decision to go self-employed marks the beginning of a new journey. It also means clarifying various administrative, legal and financial matters, and it can be hard to keep track of everything. What do you have to do, and what can you do? What makes sense for you, and what could you do without? We’ll help you find the right insurance solution tailored to your business.
Personal insurance for businesses
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a sole proprietor or run a medium-sized business with employees of your own: having the right cover is crucial when it comes to personal insurance. This also applies to social insurance, and whether social insurance is compulsory or voluntary in your case will depend on the legal structure you choose for your business.
The following personal insurance policies can or must be taken out:
Old-age and survivors’ insurance (OASI)
Invalidity insurance (IV)
Unemployment insurance (UI)
Occupational pension provision under the Occupational Pensions Act (OPA)
Daily sickness allowance insurance
Accident insurance under the Accident Insurance Act (AIA)
This list is not exhaustive, and we recommend you contact us to arrange a consultation with no obligation. Our experts will take the time to assist you and help you make a decision if need be.
Property insurance for businesses
A commercial property insurance policy is like home contents insurance for a company; it covers all movable assets such as chattels (goods, business equipment, valuables, etc.). It’s also important to consider whether you own the building, if the business is expanding, if your company has important machinery or IT systems or if any goods are transported
We can advise you on the following types of property insurance:
Chattels insurance (goods and equipment)
Building insurance (water damage, fire and natural elements, glass, etc.)
Builder’s risk insurance (construction)
Technical infrastructure insurance (machinery, IT systems, etc.)
Transport insurance (protection for goods in transit)
This list is not exhaustive, and we recommend you contact us. Insurance offerings vary considerably depending on the size of your company, its legal form, your business inventory, the insurance location and the level of business risk. Focus on what matters most – we’ll take care of the rest.
Asset insurance for businesses
Asset insurance provides financial protection for businesses when third parties suffer any loss or damage as a result of business activities and make claims. Simply put, it’s liability insurance for companies. In addition to liability coverage, insurance protection can be expanded to cover other relevant risks.
We offer consultations on the following types of business insurance:
Commercial liability: a waiter spills coffee on a guest’s smartphone.
Motor vehicle liability/fleet: an employee causes a road traffic accident with a company car.
Building liability: a postal worker slips on a patch of ice on your commercial premises.
Legal protection: a neighbour frequently complains about noise from your workshop and takes legal action.
Business interruption: production machines break down, deliveries are delayed or repairs take too long, leading to financial loss.
Credit insurance: a major order was delivered, but the customer went bankrupt before paying.
Cyber insurance: a hacker attack leads to the loss of all customer data, and restoring it takes a lot of time, money and effort.
Builder’s liability: a poorly secured construction site on business property causes injury to a passerby, who demands compensation.
Are you looking for the right insurance solution for your business?
On our Business Insurance Solutions page, you will find comprehensive information on personal, property and liability insurance, as well as tailored support for SMEs, self-employed professionals and larger companies.
Insurance mandate
Our insurance experts are at your disposal with the necessary expertise. You can rely on us to provide dependable insurance advice. We’ll tailor our services to you and your company, with the goal of providing you with a sector-specific solution to your utmost satisfaction. This service is free of charge for you. Simply download the mandate form, fill it in and send it to us by e-mail or post to Union Swiss Brokers Holding AG, Lyssachstrasse 9, 3400 Burgdorf. We’ll contact you upon receipt to discuss the next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Insurance in Switzerland
Which insurance policies are mandatory for businesses in Switzerland?
Mandatory insurance requirements depend on the legal structure of the business and the number of employees. They may include OASI, DI, AIA, occupational pension schemes (OPA) and accident insurance, depending on the specific situation. An individual assessment helps determine which obligations apply.
Does every business need liability insurance?
Business liability insurance is not always legally required, but it is one of the most important forms of protection for many companies. It helps cover claims made by third parties for damage arising from business activities.
When is cyber insurance worth considering?
Cyber insurance can be valuable for businesses that handle customer data, rely on digital systems or provide online services. It may help cover the financial consequences of cyberattacks, data breaches, data loss or business interruptions caused by IT incidents.
What does business interruption insurance cover?
Business interruption insurance may help compensate for financial losses when normal business operations are disrupted due to an insured event, such as fire damage, water damage or technical failures.
What insurance does an SME need?
The right insurance solution depends on factors such as industry, company size, workforce, infrastructure and risk exposure. A tailored review helps identify the appropriate combination of personal, property and liability insurance coverages.
Editorial note: This article was originally published on 14 January 2022 and was reviewed and updated in September 2026.
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