For most quotes I got from compare.ch, seems to me most car insurances are primary for Switzerland. I wonder if there's any insurance company that covers when you're abroad, like in Germany or France? Do they cover roadside assistance as well?
Thanks for the response. I asked because the insurance company only lists partners in Switzerland (by zip code or city name). I wonder if someone has an accident in Germany, should he/she simply call the insurance company and then they will take care of the rest (send a tow truck to tow your car to partner's garage, then they settle for a price to fix it, and send the bill later?)
Some insurance companies mention they provide a temporary car while your car is in garage, is this also true if it's abroad?
Besides, I didn't see any quotes that provide roadside assistance in the options. Is it something I have to find separately or it's already included in the insurance?
Our insurance covers accidents abroad, but roadside assistance is an add-on, rather than with the insurance policy itself. I think if we had an event in Germany or France, we'd have to cover expenses ourselves and submit for reimbursement. Meaning the insurance would provide similar coverage but it wouldn't do all the legwork for us.
Depends on the option you choose. Some are just basic road side assistance, some have nearly any imaginable option. You can also use a third party provider such as TCS , Zurich Connect , VCS and others if this better suits your needs.
Most insurance companies have a basic roadside assistance included in their Kasko products.
Additionally, many car companies offer free roadside assistance when you do your car service with their preferred dealers.
It is the proof that your cars liability insurance is valid in a foreign country.
Although named card, it is just a green flimsy piece of paper. You need it in the countries that are green on this map. Blue and purple means your license plate and gray registration card is proof of insurance.
Really? I always get it sent to be at the start of the year along with the policy (and bill) This has been with three different companies so I assume it's now standard
Is it me or does your attachment not work? Would be interested to see it.
I'd maybe say additionally it's worth keeping in the car if your often outside the country. I was literally just over the border and some idiot reversed into the front of me and thought it would be a good idea to call the police. They asked for the green card which as mentioned is an A4 piece of paper. I'm not sure what would've happened had I not got it, I just know it definitely went smoother being able to show them it
Oh and for the record the other got charged and had to leave a deposit with the german police as he also lived in Switzerland. That'll teach him for calling the police
Slightly off topic - but my understanding is that Swiss car insurance is on the car (vs the driver & car in the US), so does Swiss car insurance not cover you for rental cars or while driving a friends car (either inside or outside of Switzerland)?
You can supplement to your insurance so that you can be covered with your insurance on a friend's car - but this insurance does not extend to rentals IIRC. I think it was about 80 francs per year.
A big advantage with carrying the green insurance card is that it states the name and details of the foreign country's insurance agent, carry a photo copy and after an accident you can then give it to the other driver. It has all your details, plus the car detail.
As to extra insurance covering a friend's car: you can usually extend your own Haftpflicht Versicherung to cover occasional use of another car. The policy does not pay for the damage, it re-imburses your friend for his loss of no-claims bonus. It explicitly exempts rental car coverage.
A woman was considered not occasional enough when she drove her mother's car once per month!
I was just thinking when I go back to the US and drive a friend or family member's car, or a rental car, it would be nice to know I had full insurance to protect me, even though the car in the US would be covered by their insurance.
I'll look into that supplemental coverage...strangely enough I remembered seeing that as an option on my household insurance policy yesterday.