Fender bender: What does the insurance pay?
STUPID HAPPENING No matter if it was self-inflicted or not, fender benders are annoying. The experts from comparis.ch explain what you should always pay attention to when settling a claim with the insurance company.Has someone crashed into the rear of your car? Or did you collide with a wild animal? In any case, the insurance company should be informed as soon as possible. Are several people [...]
Did someone crash into the back of your car? Or did you collide with a wild animal? In any case, the insurance company should be informed as soon as possible.
If several people are involved in the accident, the person who caused the accident must normally report the damage to his insurance company. If he does not do so, you can report to his insurance company yourself.
Expert inspects the damaged vehicle
Most insurance companies offer a convenient online solution for reporting claims. Those who prefer to handle the claim by phone can do so around the clock via the insurance company's claims hotline.
After the report, the insurance company takes care of the further procedure. Depending on the extent of the damage, a damage expert will first inspect the damaged vehicle. If the car is already in the garage, the insurance company will usually negotiate the repair costs directly with the garage owner.
Who pays for the damage to your own car?
If you have caused damage to someone else's parked car, your liability insurance will cover it. If damage is also caused to your vehicle, this is considered collision damage and will be paid by your comprehensive insurance.
As a rule, a deductible is due. If you do not have comprehensive or parking damage insurance, you will have to pay for the damage to your own car yourself.
In the case of wilful damage, such as a torn-off rearview mirror or slashed tires, the partial cover insurance will step in. Scratching the paint, however, is classified as a collision event and is only covered by comprehensive insurance.
Value of a vehicle at the time of the accident
For an insured total loss, you usually get more money back from the insurance company than the car was worth at the time of the accident. The reason for this is the compensation based on a so-called current value supplement table.
In this way, the high loss in value of the vehicle - especially in the first few years - is to be cushioned by the insurance. However, the benefits provided by insurers for such an emergency differ widely in some cases.
Conclusion of comprehensive insurance is voluntary
For legal reasons, anyone wishing to trade in a car in Switzerland needs motor vehicle liability insurance. Taking out partial or comprehensive insurance, on the other hand, is voluntary.
It is advisable to take out partial cover insurance if the vehicle is often parked outside. In addition, the age and the current value of the vehicle influence the decision whether partial casco or not.
After a certain year of operation, repairs are usually no longer worthwhile due to the vehicle's current value.
From the fifth year of operation partial coverage insurance
Comprehensive insurance is usually worthwhile for vehicles up to and including the fourth year of operation. After that, you should consider switching to a cheaper partial cover insurance, because paying the high premium is often no longer worthwhile compared to the value of the vehicle. For leased vehicles, the conclusion of fully comprehensive insurance is usually mandatory.
