Car insurance: almost one Swiss driver in two pays more in 2026
Car insurance premiums rose sharply in 2026, even for drivers with no claims. Yet very few switch insurer. Here are the figures, your rights and the steps to follow.
According to a Comparis survey of about 1,000 car owners, reported by RTS in March 2026, 45% of car owners pay a higher premium in 2026 than in 2025, although 80% had reported no claim. Only 6% switched insurer, and half of those who did cut their premium by at least CHF 200 a year.
What does the survey show about 2026 car premiums?
The increase is broad, mostly hits drivers without claims and is rarely challenged: the vast majority stay with the same insurer.
| Indicator | Result |
|---|---|
| Drivers whose premium rose in 2026 | 45% |
| Of these, increase of more than CHF 100 a year | 1 in 3 |
| Largest increase observed | up to CHF 200, mainly in French-speaking Switzerland |
| Annual premium of three quarters of respondents | CHF 500 to 1,599 |
| Respondents with no claim the previous year | 80% |
| Drivers who switched insurer | 6% |
| Switchers who saved at least CHF 200 a year | half |
| With the same insurer for more than 10 years | 30% |
Source: Comparis survey of about 1,000 car owners, reported by RTS on 11 March 2026.
Why does your premium rise without a claim?
According to Comparis, bad driving is generally not the cause: most affected policyholders had no claim. Your premium also depends on your insurer's pricing policy, adjusted across all its customers, and on factors such as the vehicle, region or age.
Loyalty therefore does not protect you from increases. Comparing every year is the only way to know whether your premium is still at market price.
When can you cancel your car insurance?
Your contract sets the expiry date and notice period, often three months before the end of the insurance year. Since 2022, the law also allows any contract to be cancelled at the end of its third year and every year after, even if a longer term was agreed (art. 35a ICA). After a claim, both parties can in principle cancel (art. 42 ICA).
How to switch car insurance safely?
- Reread your policy: expiry, notice period, deductible and options.
- Compare like for like: same deductible, same casco cover, same options.
- Sign the new contract before cancelling the old one. The new insurer sends the insurance certificate electronically to the cantonal road traffic office: you keep your plates.
- Cancel the old contract in writing, ideally by registered mail, within the notice period.
- Avoid any gap in cover: liability insurance is mandatory to drive (art. 63 RTA).
Which cover do you really need?
Liability is mandatory; casco is a choice that mainly depends on your vehicle's value.
| Cover | Mandatory? | For whom? |
|---|---|---|
| Liability | Yes (art. 63 RTA) | Every keeper: damage caused to third parties |
| Partial casco | No | Theft, glass breakage, hail, fire, natural hazards, collision with animals |
| Full casco | No, but often required for leasing | New or recent vehicles: also covers damage you cause to your own car |
Cover details are explained on our car insurance page.
Frequently asked questions
How many drivers pay more for car insurance in 2026? According to a Comparis survey reported by RTS in March 2026, 45% of car owners pay a higher premium in 2026, although 80% had no claim the previous year.
When can you cancel car insurance in Switzerland? According to the contractual notice period, often three months before the annual expiry. The law also allows cancellation at the end of the third year and every year after (art. 35a ICA), and after a claim (art. 42 ICA).
Do you need new plates when switching car insurance? No. Plates stay with the keeper. The new insurer sends the electronic insurance certificate to the cantonal road traffic office.
How much can you save by switching car insurance? According to the Comparis survey, half of those who switched cut their premium by at least CHF 200 a year.
Sources
- RTS (in French), 11 March 2026: Comparis survey on car insurance premiums
- Insurance Contract Act (ICA/VVG, SR 221.229.1): art. 35a and 42
- Road Traffic Act (RTA/SVG, SR 741.01): art. 63
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