Personal liability insurance.
Insurance against damage you cause in rented apartments. Usually required by landlords.
Personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung) covers damage you accidentally cause to other people or to their property and, depending on the policy, to the flat you rent. Under Swiss law, whoever unlawfully causes damage to another must pay for it (art. 41 OR); without this insurance, you pay yourself.
What it covers
- Damage to other people's property: a neighbour's window, water that leaks from your flat into the one below
- Injury to other people: a guest who trips in your flat
- Defence against unjustified claims
- Damage to the rented flat beyond normal wear: included in many policies, not all
What it does not cover
- Damage to your own things: that is household contents insurance (Hausrat)
- Damage caused on purpose
- Your car and your professional activity: separate insurance
Why landlords ask for it
A water leak or a fire can damage several flats. Most landlords and agencies ask for proof of active liability insurance when you apply or at signing, so arrange it before you start applying.
What to check in a policy
- That damage to rented housing is included
- Whether gross negligence is covered
- Whether pets are covered, if you have any
Most Swiss insurers offer it, often together with household contents insurance; comparison sites show the current premiums.
Keep the certificate ready
Save the certificate in your aptari Tenant Passport next to your ID, salary slip and Betreibungsauszug. On listings from aptari partner agencies it goes out with your dossier, as soon as partner agencies list on aptari; none have yet. For every other listing you have it ready to attach.
General information, not legal advice.