Well protected in everyday life: How to find the best household contents and personal liability insurance

Good insurance cannot prevent losses and damage. However, it helps cushion the financial impact of losses and everyday mishaps – with protection that is easy to understand, flexible and reliable. 

When comparing insurance solutions, pay particular attention to these points:

1. The right protection for your household
   The value of your household contents depends heavily on your situation. A college student living in a small apartment has different needs to a family living in a single-family home or a couple with high-end furniture, art or jewelry.
2. Clear coverage and transparent terms
   Good insurance policies clearly explain what is covered – and what is not. So you know what you can count on even before a claim arises.
3. Flexible add-on modules
   Not every household needs the same protection. Modular solutions are a good option, as they allow you to expand your insurance coverage in a targeted manner – for example, to include electronic devices, sports equipment, luggage or theft while away from home.
4. Fast and uncomplicated claims settlement
   In the event of a loss, it's not just the coverage that matters, but also the service: Can I easily report the claim online? Is there any personal support available? Are claims settled quickly and transparently?

In everyday life, household contents insurance, personal liability insurance and household insurance are often mentioned in the same breath. However, to choose the right protection, it's worth taking a closer look at the differences.

Household contents insurance protects your personal belongings
Household contents insurance protects movable objects in your home. These include furniture, clothing, electronic devices, tableware, sports equipment, books and works of art. Depending on the coverage, the insurance covers damage caused by events such as fire, natural hazards, water or theft.

Tip: It is important to choose the right sum insured. It must correspond to the replacement value of all your household goods – that is, the amount you would need to buy all the items new. If you set the coverage amount too low, you risk having your benefits reduced due to underinsurance in the event of a loss. This would mean that the insurance company would cover the claim only on a pro rata basis, in proportion to the sum insured relative to the actual value of the entire household contents.

Underinsurance – how to protect yourself

Personal liability insurance protects you if you cause damage or harm to others
Personal liability insurance protects you if you injure someone else or damage their property. This can quickly get expensive: for example, if you damage the hardwood floor in a rental apartment, cause an accident while riding a bike or accidentally drop a friend's valuable designer vase.

Personal liability insurance is particularly important because liability claims can be very high, especially in cases of bodily injury. It does not insure your own property, but rather covers legitimate claims by third parties and defends against unjustified claims.

Household insurance: combined household contents and personal liability insurance
A household insurance policy combines household contents insurance and personal liability insurance. This is convenient for many people because the two types of insurance cover key everyday risks: damage to one's own property and liability with respect to third parties.

At Zurich, you can combine household contents and personal liability insurance and add additional coverage as needed. This results in insurance coverage that is tailored to your personal living and life circumstances.

The specific coverage components that should be included in your household contents and personal liability insurance depend largely on where you are in life: your first apartment, living together, raising a family, buying a home or retirement. In addition, your living situation, personal risks and the value of your household goods all play a role.

Shared apartment/house
In a shared apartment or house, household items often belong to different people, and flatmates come and go fairly frequently. Therefore, it should be specifically clarified whether a joint insurance policy makes sense or whether each person should insure their own household property and personal liability separately. The key factor is who is actually covered under the policy.

Your first apartment
People living on their own for the first time usually need simple, affordable basic coverage. Household contents insurance covers furniture, clothing, laptops, bicycles and other personal belongings. Personal liability insurance helps if you damage someone else's property – for example, in your rental apartment or while you're out and about. More information.

Living together
When two or more people move in together, they should review their existing insurance policies. Household contents and personal liability insurance can often be covered under a single policy. It is important that all members of the household are covered by the insurance and that the sum insured corresponds to the value of all household goods.

Family with children
Insurance needs change when you have a family: Household belongings pile up – strollers, bikes, sports equipment, electronic devices and pets all get added to the mix. Personal liability insurance also becomes more important, because accidents can happen quickly in everyday family life – for example, if children damage someone else's property or cause damage to a rental apartment.

Your own home
Anyone who owns an apartment or a house should consider insurance coverage for the building itself, in addition to household contents and personal liability insurance. Depending on the canton, the property and the type of ownership, coverage for fire, damage caused by natural hazards, water, glass breakage, building systems or the building's surroundings may be advisable. In the case of condominium ownership, it's also worth taking a look at the homeowners' association's insurance policies.

New life circumstances or retirement
It's also worth taking a look at your existing insurance in the event of changes such as retirement, moving, separation, children leaving home or downsizing. Perhaps the value of your household contents has decreased, perhaps you've acquired new valuables, or perhaps you no longer need certain types of additional coverage.

Zurich combines flexible coverage, transparent modules and personal advice. This means that its insurance is suitable for a variety of circumstances – from setting up your first home to ownership of valuable household goods or owning residential property. 

Independent studies can provide helpful guidance when comparing household contents, personal liability, buildings and valuables insurance policies. The "Top Insurance Companies in Switzerland 2026" award is presented by Handelszeitung, HZ Insurance, PME and Statista. Satisfaction, probability of recommendation, trust, terms and conditions, service quality, digital offerings and claim settlement are among the aspects evaluated.

Zurich received awards in several categories related to home, property and liability insurance:

Insurance proves its worth most of all in the event of a loss. Customers particularly appreciate it when claims notifications are easy, communication is clear, and claims are settled fairly and quickly. 

Typical feedback mainly relates to five points:

1. Fast and uncomplicated claims settlement 
   Many customers don't want to spend a lot of time filling out forms or having to follow things up multiple times after suffering a loss. A simple claim notification process and transparent handling create peace of mind. 
2. Friendly and professional service 
   Personal support is especially important in the event of a loss. Anyone who experiences water damage, theft or a liability claim wants to be taken seriously and to know quickly what to do next. 
3. Clear communication 
   Good insurance companies explain in clear terms what documents are required, what benefits are available and what the next steps are. This reduces uncertainty. 
4. Digital services 
   Many tasks can be handled online these days – from premium calculations to claim notifications. At the same time, personal advice remains important when questions are more complex. 
5. Fair settlement 
   In the event of a loss, trust counts. Customers expect benefits to be evaluated transparently and structured in a way that is easy to understand. 

The best household insurance is the one that realistically reflects your everyday life. So please check the following points before signing a contract or switching providers: 

• Sum insured: Does the sum insured cover the replacement value of all your household goods? When making a list, don't forget any items in the attic or basement.
• Basic cover: Are fire, damage caused by natural hazards, water and theft covered?
• Theft while away from home: Are my bike, laptop, luggage or other items protected while I'm out and about? 
• Special liability risks: Are situations such as renting horses, driving someone else's car or working a second job covered – or is additional protection required for these?
• Coinsured persons: Are your spouse, children, adult children living in the same household or other individuals covered by the insurance?
• Gross negligence coverage: Is a waiver of the gross negligence deduction covered under the policy?
• Valuable items: Is the coverage sufficient for jewelry, watches, art, musical instruments or other special items?
• Electrical and sports equipment: Are expensive devices, bicycles, e-bikes or sports equipment adequately insured?
• All-risk coverage: Do you need a standard insurance policy or more comprehensive coverage against loss and damage?
• Notification of claims: Can claims be reported easily online – and is there personal assistance available in the event of questions?
• Terms and exclusions: Are the coverage, deductibles and exclusions described in a way that is easy to understand?
• Price and discounts: Are there package, youth, starter or customer discounts available without sacrificing key benefits?

It is not possible to make a blanket judgment of what is the best household contents insurance or personal liability insurance in Switzerland. The key factors are whether the insurance policy covers your actual risks, offers terms and conditions that are easy to understand, and provides reliable support in the event of a loss.

For many people, Zurich is a strong choice because its coverage can be structured flexibly: from traditional household contents and personal liability insurance to supplemental coverage options, as well as all-risk and valuables coverage for higher needs. Independent awards, personal advice and digital services provide additional guidance.

• Household insurance explained simply: learn how household contents, personal liability, and household insurance work together – and which coverage is right for your situation.
• Calculate household contents insurance:
  Protect your furniture, clothing, electronic devices and personal belongings – and calculate your premium directly online.
• Discover personal liability insurance:
  Protect yourself in case you accidentally injure someone else or damage their property.
• Insure your valuables strategically:
  Protect your jewelry, watches, art, musical instruments or other valuable individual items with coverage that matches their value.
• Check buildings insurance:
  Insure your house or apartment against building damage and explore suitable additional coverage options.
• Report a claim online:
  Report a claim quickly and easily online – so Zurich can assist you promptly.