Getting home insurance (assurance RC/ménage)

When you move into a new home in Geneva, one of the first administrative steps you will need to take is getting home insurance, called assurance RC and assurance ménage in French. These two types of insurance protect you in case of liability claims, damage to your belongings, or accidents.

What is included in home insurance?

In Switzerland, home insurance usually refers to two separate but often bundled policies:

• Assurance responsabilité civile privée (private liability insurance, or assurance RC) covers you if you accidentally cause damage to another person or their property, such as breaking a neighbor’s window or if your dog damages someone’s garden. One policy generally covers all occupants living at the insured address. It protects you not only at home but also when you cause third-party damage outside your home.
• Assurance ménage (household insurance) covers your personal belongings, furniture, clothes, and electronics against risks such as fire, water damage, theft, and natural disasters.

It is possible to buy them separately, but most insurers offer them together as a package.

In the canton of Vaud, it is important to note that fire insurance for your belongings is not included in standard ménage policies. It must be contracted separately with the Etablissement Cantonal d’Assurance (ECA), which provides mandatory coverage for fire and natural disasters.

Is home insurance mandatory in Geneva?

Unlike in some Swiss cantons, home insurance (assurance ménage) is not mandatory in Geneva. However, assurance RC is strongly recommended and sometimes required by landlords as part of the rental agreement. Some lease contracts will explicitly ask for proof of assurance RC before handing over the keys.

Even if it is not required, having home insurance gives you peace of mind and protects you from costly incidents.

How to choose your home insurance

When selecting a home insurance policy in Geneva, it is a good idea to:

• Compare offers from several providers to find the best combination of price and coverage (comparis.ch)
• Check the insured value of your belongings and adjust it if needed
• Make sure your assurance RC covers everyday life accidents, including damages caused by pets or rented apartments
• Ensure your household insurance includes theft outside your home if you travel frequently
• Confirm what is covered under natural hazards (such as flooding or earthquakes)
• Look at the deductible (the amount you will pay yourself before insurance covers the rest)

Some well-known insurance companies in Geneva include La Mobilière, AXA, and Helvetia, among others.

How much does home insurance cost?

The cost of home insurance depends on several factors:

• The size of your apartment or house
• The value of your belongings
• The level of coverage you choose
• Whether you bundle RC and ménage together

As a rough guide, expect to pay between CHF 150 and CHF 300 per year for a standard package covering both private liability and household contents.

Good to know

If you change apartments, remember to update your address with your insurer.

When you move out of your rental apartment, you can also use your assurance RC to cover any damage you may have caused to the property (such as scratched floors or stained walls). In this case, you would usually only need to pay the deductible, and the insurance would cover the rest of the repair costs.