The importance of supplementary accident insurance (UVG/LAA): protecting workers' well-being and financial stability

In Switzerland, the Federal Act on Accident Insurance (UVG/LAA) provides basic insurance cover for all workers against occupational and non-occupational accidents, as well as occupational diseases. However, basic UVG/LAA cover is not always sufficient to cover all risks and expenses in the event of serious accidents or work-related illnesses.

This is where supplementary accident insurance comes in: an essential tool for ensuring broader protection and greater financial security.

1. The limited cover of basic UVG/LAA insurance

Compulsory UVG/LAA insurance provides basic benefits that mainly cover medical treatment and part of the income lost in the event of an accident. However, this insurance has some important limitations:

Maximum insured income: UVG/LAA covers income up to around CHF 148’200 a year. Anyone earning a salary above this threshold risks not being fully compensated for the entire loss of income in the event of an accident or disability.
Supplementary benefits: the needs of an injured worker can often go beyond the benefits provided, including prolonged therapy, advanced rehabilitation or long-term care that is not always fully covered by UVG/LAA.
Exclusion for gross negligence: if the accident is caused by gross negligence (e.g. a serious breach of safety rules), benefits may be reduced or excluded, leaving the worker without cover precisely at the most critical moments.

2. The advantages of supplementary accident insurance

Supplementary accident insurance makes it possible to extend basic cover and obtain greater support in several critical areas:

Income top-up: full cover even for those with high incomes above the UVG/LAA ceiling of CHF 148’200 a year. This cover can be essential for maintaining one’s lifestyle and usual expenses.
Extended medical and rehabilitation benefits: cover for therapies, specialist care, rehabilitation treatment or other interventions needed for a full recovery, going beyond the level of cover offered by basic UVG/LAA, including the option of hospital stays in a private room.
Medical cover abroad: medical expenses abroad are covered up to twice the cost of equivalent treatment in Switzerland, ensuring access to high-quality care wherever it is needed.
Cover for gross negligence: one of the main advantages of supplementary accident insurance is the possibility of also including cover for cases of gross negligence. With this option, the worker is financially protected even if the accident is due, for example, to a breach of safety rules. In such cases, supplementary insurance can cover the part of the benefits that would otherwise be reduced or excluded under basic UVG/LAA cover.
Support for family members: it can provide additional sums or lump sums for family members in the event of the worker’s death, protecting the family’s financial stability.
Art. 338 of the Swiss Code of Obligations: if an employee dies, the employer is required to pay the survivors one or two months’ salary, depending on the length of the employment relationship. Supplementary accident insurance can cover this obligation, relieving the company of unforeseen financial burdens.

3. Tailor-made protection for every sector

Every field of work has specific risks. Sectors such as construction or healthcare expose workers to greater dangers, making supplementary insurance particularly worthwhile. Executives and high earners, who are often less well protected by basic UVG/LAA, can also benefit greatly from additional cover.

4. Peace of mind: an added value

Knowing that you are covered in all circumstances offers a significant psychological benefit. By ensuring financial security in the event of unforeseen accidents or mistakes, supplementary accident insurance allows workers to concentrate on their activities without worrying about the future. This peace of mind is essential for those who work in hazardous environments or have family responsibilities.

Conclusions

Investing in supplementary accident insurance means choosing more comprehensive and flexible protection, capable of offering peace of mind in the face of the unpredictability of an accident or occupational disease. It is a fundamental tool for protecting not only your health, but also your own and your family’s financial stability. A small investment that can make a big difference in difficult times.

Article written by:

Lorena Respini

Member of management*Corporate client specialist*Federally certified expert in private insurance and social insurance