Earthquake Insurance

Earthquakes bear the greatest loss potential of all natural disasters. Zurich Earthquake Insurance covers your building, household contents and business inventories, protecting you against the financial consequences of such events.

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Good reasons for the Earthquake Insurance

Protected against a widely underestimated risk

Did you know that the average number of earthquakes per year in Switzerland ranges between 500 and 800? The very next quake could turn out to be a big one. Earthquake insurance affords effective protection against quake events, large and small.

Closing the coverage gap at last

Earthquakes are not covered under standard property and buildings insurance policies. The financial protection afforded by cantonal buildings insurance is inadequate for the effects of major quakes. Take steps to eliminate your exposure to this risk.

Beige-colored outstretched hand with a blue shield symbol floating above it, in front of a light blue circle.

Comprehensive protection, great service

Has a building suffered wall cracks – or did it collapse entirely? Zurich Earthquake Insurance compensates you for such damage, and even for earthquake-related consequential losses resulting from fires or looting, for example.

Information and frequently asked questions about the Earthquake Insurance

Protect your property: Private individuals and small-to-mid-sized businesses can protect their real estate, household contents and business inventories against the financial consequences of earthquakes.
Eliminate your exposure to risk: Protect yourself against a risk that is not fully covered - if at all - under most insurance policies.
Protect your income and assets: Secure compensation for lost rental and business income if your property should be rendered unusable for a period of time.
Consequential losses covered: Earthquake insurance pays compensation for related subsequent losses due to fires, looting and other circumstances.
Round-the-clock assistance: Our emergency hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, staffed by claims experts dedicated to providing you rapid assistance.

Severe earthquakes are rare, so people go about their lives generally unconcerned. The last major earthquake occurred in 1946 in Valais. But in fact, such occurrence could happen tomorrow – anywhere in Switzerland.

Switzerland records between 500 and 800 tremors a year on average, most of which are minor. But small quakes can cause great damage, like costly cracking of a load-bearing wall, or water damage from pipe breakage.

For example, if you own a restaurant and it has to close for several weeks after being rendered structurally unstable in an earthquake. Zurich will then compensate you for the lost business income from the restaurant.

At just modest extra cost you get excellent protection against the natural disaster that harbors the most damage potential.

Unlike other insurers, Zurich also covers consequential damages resulting from earthquakes, if fire breaks out for example, or looting by people trying to exploit the crisis situation.

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Discover the hidden dangers of earthquakes in Switzerland and the need for preventive measures with our online analysis.

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Guide to earthquake Insurance

Suppressed risk: Earthquakes

Earthquakes are the natural hazard with the greatest destructive potential in Switzerland. However, there is no mandatory insurance. With Zurich, homeowners can find the right protection.

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Earthquake Insurance

Good reasons for the Earthquake Insurance

Protected against a widely underestimated risk

Closing the coverage gap at last

Comprehensive protection, great service

Information and frequently asked questions about the Earthquake Insurance

Services

Why are most Swiss unaware of the danger posed by earthquakes?

Most quakes are scarcely even noticeable. So that’s not a real problem, right?

Optional insurance protection against lost rental and business income is available, but what are the specifics?

Isn’t earthquake insurance extremely expensive?

How much does coverage of consequential damages cost?

Further products and services

Earthquake Risk in Switzerland: Act Instead of Hesitate

Contents Insurance

Buildings insurance

Guide to earthquake Insurance

Suppressed risk: Earthquakes

Thunderstorms: how you can protect yourself

Natural disasters – Do you know your risks?

Floods are increasing – what can you do?

As a result, you enjoy all-round protection at home.

Staying safe during storms

Water damage – what you need to know