| Change |
Existing |
New starting from 1 January 2022 |
| Insurer |
Three insurance companies:
- Zurich Insurance
- Europ Assistance
- Allianz Assistance
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Allianz Assistance |
| Card payment prerequisite |
In order to obtain insurance coverage, the card must be used to pay for 100% or 80% of certain services.
Example of price protection insurance:
“Proof must be submitted to confirm that the insured person paid for the purchased item in full using a valid credit card”
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In general, the card must be used to purchase at least 60% of a travel service or item for which payment with the card is a prerequisite for coverage. |
| Insured amounts per year |
Most insured amounts were defined per event and year.
Example of trip cancellation insurance:
“The insurer will in any case pay no more than the insured amount per year and per card.”
Therefore, if the family of a Silver/Classic cardholder (insured amount of CHF 10 000) had two trip cancellations in the same year, each with an insurance value of CHF 7 500, only CHF 2 500 would have been reimbursed for the second event (limit per event and year of CHF 10 000).
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All insured amounts are now valid per event (claim).
If a cardholder (e.g. Silver/Classic) has more than one insurance event in the same year, the maximum insured amount of CHF 10 000 now applies for each individual event, and is therefore independent of other benefits already related to other claims during the same calendar year.
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| Pandemics and epidemics |
Pandemics were not specifically mentioned for travel insurance.
The following coverage applied for epidemics:
“Epidemics... where these specifically imperil the life of the insured person, or if because of such events a warning has been issued by an official body (FDFA) explicitly advising against travel.”
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As a general rule, the consequences of epidemics or pandemics are now excluded.
However, important events are still insured and handled as follows:
- Trip cancellation or interruption, if a person comes down with Covid-19 and cannot travel.
- If a person must remain in quarantine due to suspected Covid-19.
Examples of uninsured events related to epidemics and pandemics:
- Trip cancellation because travel is prevented by border closures.
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| Trip duration |
Until now, trips were insured as long as they lasted a maximum of 45 days, among other conditions.
Example trip definition:
“Trip: it commences upon the insured person’s departure from their place of residence, lasts a maximum of 45 days, must include at least one overnight stay away from the place of residence and an outward bound and return trip, and ends upon the insured person’s return to their place of residence”
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A trip may now last up to 90 days and still meet the prerequisites for insurance coverage. |
| Insured persons - children |
The inclusion of children in the group of insured persons was previously defined as follows:
“…and unmarried children of the cardholder or cohabiting partner who are entitled to support by him/her, are under the age of 25 and are living in the same household.” |
The definition of children was simplified and insurance protection expanded:
Children under the age of 25 who do not live in the same household are now also insured as long as they are Swiss residents.
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| Insured persons - Related persons |
The trip cancellation insurance includes insurance coverage in the event of serious illness, accident or death of related persons who do not take part in the trip. |
Related persons has been expanded to include:
Caregivers of minor children or relatives in need of care who are not travelling with the cardholder, very close friends, nieces, nephews, siblings-in-law, step-parents, room mates and others.
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| Insured events and benefits |
The following events or services were not insured under the travel coverage:
- Cancellation or interruption of the trip due to the absence of the travel partner, for example due to accident or illness
- Missed arrival or onward journey due to failure of the private or rental car used for the trip due to an accident or breakdown
- Additional costs for subsequent travel and the unused part of the trip if the insured person starts the trip late due to an insured event
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These events and benefits are now insured:
- Cancellation or interruption of the trip due to the absence of the travel partner, for example due to accident or illness
- Missed arrival or onward journey due to failure of the private or rental car used for the trip due to an accident or breakdown
- Additional costs for subsequent travel and the unused part of the trip if the insured person starts the trip late due to an insured event
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| Travel and flight accident insurance |
This insurance coverage was previously called “travel and flight accident insurance”. |
This insurance coverage is now called “transport accident insurance”. |
| Search and rescue costs |
Search and rescue costs were previously included in the travel and flight accident insurance as well as in the medical travel assistance. |
Search and rescue costs are now listed as separate coverage. The benefits remain the same. |
| Purchase protection and transport insurance |
Purchase protection insurance covers costs for new purchase or repair if the purchased item is affected by one of the following events within 30 days of purchase:
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Online purchase protection has been added to the purchase protection insurance. |
| Delayed luggage |
Delayed luggage insurance covers the costs of essential purchases if the luggage arrives at least 4 hours late.
The previous rule stated that these purchases had to be made within 24 hours of arrival.
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The 24-hour time limit for purchasing essential items is no longer applicable.
The essential purchases must simply be made before receipt of the luggage and the purchases must be urgently needed.
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| Luggage insurance |
This insurance covers damages to luggage - including personal effects - in case of theft or damage. |
The following events or items are now also insured:
- Theft from a locked vehicle
- Smartphones
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| Medical travel assistance |
Medical services abroad are insured in addition to health and accident insurance. Restrictions for people residing outside of Switzerland were already applicable. |
The following restrictions apply for medical travel assistance:
- For all services, the insured person must be resident in Switzerland.
- Insurance cover for “medical treatment” applies exclusively to insured persons under the age of 81.
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