Moving Insurance in Switzerland: Liability and Claims

Insurance and moving in Switzerland: protecting your belongings

A move carries inherent risks: breakage, scratches, losses, water damage… Understanding the different insurance policies involved and knowing who is responsible for what is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises.

This guide details the various types of insurance related to moving in Switzerland, the division of responsibility between the mover and the client, and the steps to take in the event of a claim.

Types of insurance related to moving

1. The mover’s professional liability insurance

Professional movers in your area should hold professional liability insurance. Ask for proof when you compare quotes. This is the basic coverage that protects the client.

What it covers:

• Damage caused by the movers to your belongings during loading, transport and unloading
• Damage caused to communal areas of the building (walls, staircase, lift)
• Damage caused to the property (floors, walls, doors)

What it generally does NOT cover:

• Items packed by the client (if the packing is the cause of the damage)
• Items of exceptional value not declared (jewellery, cash, irreplaceable documents)
• Normal wear and tear or pre-existing defects
• Damage due to force majeure (storm, flood, road accident caused by a third party)

Cap: it varies from one company to another. Check the amount on the quote or contract.

2. Supplementary transport insurance (declared value)

For high-value items, the mover’s standard liability insurance may not be sufficient. Supplementary transport insurance offers extended coverage:

• Coverage at new replacement value (not depreciated value)
• Extended protection, including for force majeure
• Covers declared items of exceptional value

Cost: the premium depends on the declared value of the goods. Ask for it in your free quote.

When is it essential?

• Transporting a piano (often of high value) — see piano transport
• Transporting artworks, antiques — see art transport
• High-value furniture (designer, custom-made)
• Collections (wine, stamps, rare books)
• High-end electronic equipment

3. The client’s household insurance

Your household insurance (home contents insurance) covers your movable property on a daily basis. But what happens during a move?

During the move:

• Most Swiss household insurance policies cover belongings during transport between the old and new property
• Coverage is often limited to a set period during the transition
• Check the general conditions of your contract or call your insurer

Points to check with your insurer:

• Does your coverage extend to transport and temporary storage?
• Is there a specific cap for transport?
• Are you covered for both properties simultaneously during the transition?
• Is theft covered during transport and in the truck?
• Do you need to notify your insurer before moving day?

Updating the contract after the move:

• Change the address as soon as possible
• Adjust the insured sum if the property size changes (increase for a larger property)
• Check the excess: some municipalities are classified in a different risk zone (theft, weather)

Responsibility: mover vs client

The question of responsibility is governed by Swiss contract law and the general conditions of the moving company.

Mover’s responsibility

The professional mover is liable for damage caused by:

• Fault or negligence of their staff (rough handling, dropping an item)
• Inadequate protection (insufficient packing of items they packed)
• Unsuitable equipment (defective straps, insufficient blankets)
• Poor loading of the truck (unsecured items)

The mover is however exempt if the damage results from:

• A hidden defect in the item (furniture weakened by age)
• Insufficient packing by the client
• An act of force majeure (road accident caused by a third party, extreme weather conditions)
• Incorrect instructions from the client

Client’s responsibility

The client is responsible for:

• Items they have packed themselves (if the packing is the cause of the damage)
• Accurately declaring the contents and value of the goods
• Flagging fragile or valuable items
• Damage caused by false or incomplete information (access, dimensions, weight)

The grey area

Some situations are more complex to determine:

• An antique piece of furniture that breaks during transport — was it already weakened or was the mover careless?
• An item packed by the client but handled by the mover
• Scratches on the parquet floor of the new property during unloading

In these cases, the burden of proof is decisive. This is why before and after photos are essential.

How to file a claim

Immediate procedure (same day)

1. Identify and document the damage immediately
2. Photograph the damage from multiple angles, with a reference object for scale
3. Note the time, circumstances and witnesses
4. Report the damage to the team leader before they leave
5. Have the damage recorded on the delivery note or the end-of-move report
6. Do not throw away the damaged item or its packaging (evidence)

Formal declaration (in the following days)

7. Send a registered letter to the moving company within the deadline set by its general conditions
8. Include the photos, a description of the damage and an estimate of the repair or replacement cost
9. Keep the damaged item for a possible expert assessment
10. Inform your household insurer if you wish to claim on your own cover in parallel

Limitation periods

• Declaration to the mover: as soon as possible, ideally the same day, at most within the deadline set by the general conditions
• Legal action: claims are subject to limitation periods, so act promptly
• Declaration to household insurer: according to your contract conditions

New replacement value vs depreciated value

Two reimbursement systems coexist:

New replacement value

Reimbursement corresponds to the current purchase price of an equivalent new item. This is the most favourable system for the client.

Example: A sofa purchased five years ago is reimbursed at what an equivalent new sofa costs today.

Depreciated value (current value)

Reimbursement takes account of the item’s depreciation. The value decreases over time according to a depreciation rate.

Example: A sofa purchased five years ago with a lifespan of 10 years is reimbursed at about half of its original price.

Which system applies?

This is another reason to take out supplementary transport insurance for valuable items: you will be reimbursed at new replacement value rather than depreciated value.

Tips for minimising risk

Before the move

• Inventory your valuable belongings with photos and valuations
• Declare valuable items to the moving company
• Take out supplementary insurance if needed
• Check your household insurance coverage during transport
• Request a copy of the mover’s professional liability insurance

During the move

• Transport irreplaceable items yourself (documents, jewellery, keepsakes)
• Supervise loading and unloading
• Clearly mark fragile boxes (labels, colours)
• Photograph the condition of valuable items before loading

After the move

• Check all boxes and furniture as soon as possible
• Report any damage immediately
• Keep the packaging and damaged items
• Update your household insurance

Frequently asked questions