Occupational or non-occupational accident
Who generally covers your accident risk?
Choose a general situation to see the usual mechanism. The result is conditional: only proof of cover and the insurer’s decision can confirm your actual position.
General information · no individual decision
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Enter no data. The eight-hour threshold is assessed per week with the same employer.No situation selected
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Educational guidance
The six situations explained
UVG/LAA: OA + NOAEmployee: at least 8 hours/weekWith the same employer
The employer generally covers occupational and non-occupational accidents
If you work at least eight hours per week for the same employer, UVG/LAA insurance normally covers occupational and non-occupational accidents.
Points to check
- Ask the employer or its insurer for proof covering both occupational and non-occupational accidents.
- Then ask your health insurer to suspend accident risk in compulsory healthcare insurance; this is not automatic.
- Suspension takes effect no earlier than the first day of the month following the request. Check the confirmation and new premium.
Do not remove accident risk yourself. When UVG/LAA cover ends, request its immediate reinclusion in basic insurance.
UVG/LAA: OA onlyEmployee: under 8 hours/weekWith the same employer
The employer generally does not cover non-occupational accidents
If you work less than eight hours per week for the same employer, UVG/LAA covers occupational accidents; accidents occurring on the direct journey to or from work are also treated as occupational accidents.
Points to check
- Check the hours separately for each employer.
- Keep or include accident risk in basic insurance for non-occupational accidents unless you can prove another full UVG/LAA cover.
- Obtain written evidence before changing basic insurance.
Hours worked for different employers are not automatically added together to create non-occupational cover.
UVG/LAA through SuvaEntitled to unemployment benefitEntitlement recognised by unemployment insurance
Suva generally covers accident risk while benefit entitlement continues
People who meet the conditions for unemployment benefit are compulsorily insured against accidents with Suva.
Points to check
- Confirm the exact start and end dates with the unemployment fund.
- Obtain proof of full accident cover before asking for suspension in basic insurance.
- When entitlement ends, immediately check continuity of accident cover.
Registration with the employment office alone may not be enough: entitlement and dates must be confirmed.
Accident in basic insuranceNot in paid employmentChild, student, retired person or homemaker
Accident risk generally remains included in compulsory healthcare insurance
Without full UVG/LAA cover, people who are not employees must keep accident risk in basic insurance.
Points to check
- Check that accident risk appears on the basic-insurance policy or certificate.
- School, association or private cover does not automatically replace basic insurance.
- Notify the health insurer promptly when work status changes.
Basic insurance covers treatment under LAMal rules; it does not replace every UVG/LAA cash benefit, such as loss-of-earnings benefits.
UVG/LAA optionalSelf-employedWorking on your own account
UVG/LAA is generally not compulsory for a self-employed person
Self-employed persons resident in Switzerland who are not already compulsorily insured may take out voluntary UVG/LAA cover; a statutory minimum insured income applies. Without full UVG/LAA cover, accident risk must remain included in basic insurance.
Points to check
- Have self-employed status confirmed by the competent body.
- Review voluntary UVG/LAA, income-protection and disability cover separately.
- Ask for suspension of accident cover in basic insurance only after proving full UVG/LAA cover and receiving confirmation from the health insurer.
Accident cover in basic insurance covers treatment, but not automatically lost self-employment income.
Deadline: 31 daysJob ending or unpaid leaveAfter prior UVG/LAA non-occupational cover
With prior non-occupational cover, protection ends on day 31 and then needs a replacement
Non-occupational accident cover ends on the 31st day following the day on which entitlement to at least half of the previous salary ends. Interim accident insurance can extend it by up to six consecutive months.
Points to check
- Ask the employer for both the last day on which you are entitled to at least half of your previous salary and the exact date on which non-occupational cover ends.
- Arrange and pay for interim accident insurance with the former employer’s accident insurer before existing cover expires if you choose it.
- Otherwise request timely reinclusion of accident risk in basic insurance.
The six-month extension is not automatic: interim insurance must be arranged and paid for before existing cover ends. It cannot extend non-occupational UVG/LAA cover that did not exist.
Temporary choice with no data transmission
The selection stays only in temporary page memory. No network request, cookie, local storage, lead form, name, employer details, health data or identity data is used.
How to read the result
- First clarify status and hours with one employer.
- Obtain a certificate showing dates and occupational/non-occupational scope.
- Request suspension or reinclusion from the health insurer and wait for confirmation.
Important limits
- The tool cannot determine whether you are an employee, self-employed or entitled to unemployment benefits.
- It confirms neither actual dates nor the scope of a policy.
- It compares no premiums, benefits, exclusions or loss-of-income cover.
- International, military and other special cases require individual verification.