With50,000 CHF household goodsthe transport insurance costs for a Swiss move are in the typical range of1–3%, i.e. around500–1,500 CHF. However, there is no uniform Swiss price, because the type of transport, destination region, insurance value and scope of coverage change the premium significantly.
You are moving from Zurich to Bern with your family, have furniture, electronics and personal items to transport and would like to secure the move financially. An online offer “from CHF 79” initially seems attractive. However, the decisive factor is not the initial price, but rather the question of how much the insurance will actually reimburse in the event of damage and what liability is already included in the contract with the moving company.
What does transport insurance really cost
Let's take the move of a family of four from Zurich to Bern. The declared value of the household contents is50,000 CHF. Furniture, computers, televisions, kitchen appliances and personal items are picked up from the old apartment in one day and delivered to the new place of residence.
An offer “from CHF 79” can apply to a specific basic service. It alone does not say whether the entire household contents are insured, whether breakages are included or whether only the transport company's limited liability applies in the event of damage. TheTransport insurance costsdoes not only depend on the value of the goods. The route, means of transport, risk, deductible and insured risks are also taken into account in the calculation.
For Swiss moves, an independent market source names1-3% of the declared value of the goodsas the typical premium range. With a household contents of50,000 CHFthis corresponds approximately to500-1,500 CHF. These guideline values come from the Swiss market overview ofGryps zu Transportversicherungenand are not a binding offer.
The insured value is more than the contents
Insurers calculate the Insured value typically consists of theGoods value, theTransportation costsand an expected profit share of10%. When moving, the relevant value is not always determined simply by a rough estimate of the household contents. A complete inventory list with purchase receipts, current values or repair values creates a better basis.
Compensation in the event of damage can also vary. Damage items are often valued based on cost price, cost price or repair costs. A damaged table is therefore not automatically replaced at the new price originally paid.
Practical rule:Do not compare “from CHF 79” with an annual premium, but always the insured value, the risks covered, the deductible and the exclusions in the policy.
The cost question is therefore similar to other insurance decisions. If you want to check hidden restrictions, the guide Kostenfallen erkennen bei Tier-OP is a useful example of how much contract details influence the actual benefits of a policy. The same applies when moving: The final price is not in the advertisement, but in the contract conditions.
These transport insurances are available to choose from
The right policy depends on the risk that you want to insure. You usually need a different solution for a single transport than for a move lasting several days or recurring trade fair transports.
Goods transport insurance for individual shipments
TheGoods transport insuranceis suitable for a clearly defined transport from A to B. For example, a company sends a machine, a dealer delivers a piece of furniture or a private person has a valuable object transported within Switzerland or abroad.
Depending on the contract, the insurance cover begins with the takeover and ends with the delivery. Typical components concern damage, loss or theft. For international shipments, depending on the route, there are additional contractual requirements, such as specifications for packaging, customs clearance or documentation.
Moving insurance for all household goods
TheMoving insuranceis tailored to the move from the old to the new home. She can accompany the household goods during collection, transport and delivery. Depending on the policy, risks are also included that go beyond pure transport damage, such as breakage, water or theft on the day of the move.
This solution is particularly useful if many different items are being moved at the same time. A liability limit based on weight often does not correspond to the actual value for a light but expensive laptop or for sensitive art objects.
Exhibition and trade fair insurance for repeated journeys
Anyone who regularly transports art, machines, instruments or other high-quality objects to exhibitions and trade fairs often needs broader protection. AExhibition and trade fair insurancecan take into account several transport stages and the stay at the event location.
The advantage lies in the coordinated coverage for repeated movements. Without such a solution, each transport would have to be checked and insured individually. Information about packaging, guarding, assembly, dismantling and return transport is important.
Travel luggage insurance for personal items
TheTravel luggage insuranceremains limited to personal luggage. It is not automatically the right choice for a complete move, furniture delivery or business inventory transport. Therefore, first check whether the insured object falls within the intended scope.
Decision question:Is a single item being delivered, an entire household being relocated or an object being transported repeatedly to events? The answer usually determines the appropriate type of insurance.
These factors determine your insurance premium
A fixed tariff for every shipment would be impractical because the risks differ greatly. A short road transport within Europe is to be assessed differently than sea freight to Asia. Swiss guidelines show these differences clearly.
For a one-off shipment with an insured sum below, as the Swiss contract information mentioned explains.a Swiss provider gives the following examples:Insured value:for truck transports within Europe,10% expected profit sharefor aircraft transports to North America,0,3 %for ship transports to North America,0,75 %for truck transports to Asia and0,9 %for shipping to Asia. The information can be found in the five central Price driverKosteninformationen von Gryps zu TransportversicherungsverträgenThe higher the declared value, the higher the premium typically is. The insured value often includes the value of the goods, transport costs and
Fünf zentrale Preistreiber
Versicherungswert:Je höher der deklarierte Wert, desto höher fällt die Prämie typischerweise aus. Zum Versicherungswert zählen häufig Warenwert, Transportkosten und10 % erwarteter Gewinnanteil, wie die genannten Schweizer Vertragsinformationen erläutern.
Means of transport:According to the available guideline values, road transport within Europe is significantly lower than air or sea transport to more distant regions. This is due to the different transport times, turnover rates and risk of damage.
Target region:Domestic and short European routes are easier to calculate than transports to North America or Asia. Customs, longer transit times and additional handovers can increase the risk.
Duration and form of contract:A one-time policy fits a single move or a single shipment. Companies with regular transport can consider an annual contract instead. Whether this is cheaper depends on the transport volume and the contract conditions.
Deductible:A higher deductible can lower the premium. The insurer must show the specific savings in the offer because it depends on the risk and the product selected.
The formulaPremium ≈ insured value × base rate × risk factorsis suitable as a mental model. A “surcharge” is not automatically a fee, but can arise due to the type of transport, region, security requirements or special goods.
Packaging, safety precautions and seasonal utilization can also play a role. Therefore, do not skimp on packaging if the policy requires certain standards. Insufficient security can jeopardize the service in the event of damage.
Transport insurance and liability of the moving company
The liability of the moving company and independent transport insurance are two different levels of protection. The moving company is generally liable for damages that can be attributed to it according to the contract and the applicable legal or industry-related rules. Transport insurance, on the other hand, protects the insured value of the goods according to the conditions of the policy, even if there is no or only limited liability on the part of the carrier.
This is crucial for a move. A heavy, inexpensive cabinet may be relatively well covered by kilogram-based liability. A light laptop, a camera, an art object or sensitive electronics, on the other hand, can have a high value without being correspondingly heavy.
Why a liability limit does not correspond to the value of the goods
A transport company's liability is often limited per kilogram or per item. The specific contract, the general terms and conditions and the applicable law are decisive. An agreed limit can therefore be significantly lower than the actual value of the household goods.
You should check the regulations for glass, electronics, works of art and high-quality household goods particularly carefully. Damage caused by an event that is not attributed to the carrier can also be outside the contractual liability.
Important:A liability reduction is not automatic full value insurance. What matters is whether the policy covers the actual value of the goods and which exclusions apply.
An all-risk policy can offer more comprehensive protection according to its terms. For example, it can also cover certain natural events or theft if these risks are included and no exclusion applies. Whether the full value of the goods is replaced still depends on the agreed insurance sum, the assessment of the damage and the evidence.
Before booking, you should therefore compare the moving company's liability regulations with the policy. You can find an understandable overview of furniture transport and the practical processes atTIXPI zum Transport von Möbeln. Separate transport insurance usually makes sense for valuable household goods, fragile goods or a large difference between weight and value. For low-valued moving goods, contractual liability may be sufficient, provided you consciously accept the remaining risk.
Price examples for moves and individual shipments
Guideline values help with the initial assessment, but do not replace an offer. For a binding premium, the provider needs, among other things, the exact value of the goods, the route, the means of transport, the duration, the deductible and the desired exclusions or extensions.
Scenario one with private household goods
A family moves from Zurich to Bern. The household contents are valued at 50,000 CHF. For this example, we assume an assumed moving premium of0.5–1.5%and a deductible of500 CHF.
The simple calculation is:
50,000 CHF × 0.5% = 250 CHF
50,000 CHF × 1.5% = 750 CHF
This results in a premium of250-750 CHF in this model, in addition to the contractually agreed deductible. The rate is a calculation example and not a general Swiss tariff. The actual offer may vary due to inventory, packaging, damage history or scope of coverage.
Scenario two with company inventory
A company moves IT equipment and machines from Basel to Lugano. The declared value is 150,000 CHF. For an all-risk policy, an assumed rate of1–2%is used in this example.
150,000 CHF × 1% = 1,500 CHF
150,000 CHF × 2% = 3,000 CHF
The modeled premium is therefore1,500–3,000 CHF. For a last-mile delivery, the value declaration in a suitable transport order can be important. The overview for theTransportkosten berechnen in der Schweiz.
Scenario three with an art object
A single art object worth20,000 CHFis transported within Europe helps when planning route, weight and delivery. For a special policy, an assumed rate of2–3%is used.
20,000 CHF × 2% = 400 CHF
20,000 CHF × 3% = 600 CHF
The example premium is therefore400–600 CHF. When it comes to art objects, condition, packaging, proof of value, transporters and possible viewings are particularly important. A low price without clear regulations regarding restoration, total loss and valuation is not automatically the better choice.
The formulas are for guidance only. Season, energy or other contractual surcharges, special security requirements and the deductible may change the final price. Before making the offer, also ask whether additional costs such as average commissioner, loss mitigation or contributions to the average amount are included. Swiss transport AVB expressly regulate such additional damage costs, but the specific benefit depends on the policy and exclusions.
How to reduce transport insurance costs
The cheapest policy is not necessarily the most sensible. Costs can be reduced primarily where you manage the risk properly without incorrectly stating the value of the goods or eliminating important coverage components.
Five sensible adjustment screws
Choose your deductible consciously:If you bear smaller damages yourself, you can receive a lower premium. Calculate several options with identical insured sums instead of just looking at the lowest starting price.
Declare the value correctly:A comprehensible inventory list prevents over-insurance and later discussions. However, the value must not be too low either, otherwise in the event of a claim there is a risk of a reduction in benefits due to underinsurance.
Compare means of transport:If the date and goods allow it, road transport within Europe can be calculated more cheaply than air or sea freight on more distant routes. The available Swiss guidelines show that the type of transport and region change the premium significantly.
Bundling shipments:Companies with regular transport can consider an annual contract. Whether bundling is cheaper depends on the actual volume and the conditions.
Organize early:If you clarify packaging, route and security requirements in a timely manner, you avoid short-term special solutions. This doesn't automatically reduce every premium, but it does create better comparability.
You can find a good checklist for a cost-sensitive move atgünstig umziehen mit TIXPI. Get offers from, for example, AXA, Mobiliar, Allianz, CSS, smile.direct or via comparison portals. Only compare offers with identical value, identical deductible and, if possible, the same scope of coverage.
Plan the conclusion and claim correctly with TIXPI
Transport insurance only provides reliable protection if the conclusion and claim report are properly prepared. The following steps combine the most important contractual decisions with the practical organization of a move or delivery.
Declare value correctly:Record furniture, appliances, personal items and special individual values. Purchase receipts, inventory lists and repair cost estimates can later serve as proof.
Determine your deductible:Choose an amount that you can actually cover in the event of damage. A lower deductible often costs more, a higher one reduces the premium but increases your out-of-pocket costs.
Conclude the policy before the start of transport:The insurance coverage must be effective before you take over. Have the start, end and insured transport sections confirmed in writing.
Documentation upon collection:Take photos of sensitive items, existing damage and the packaging. For valuable goods, serial numbers and condition descriptions should be included in the documents.
Report damage immediately:Document any damage immediately upon delivery and inform the moving company and insurer without unnecessary delay. Observe the reporting deadline specified in the policy and contract.
Secure receipts:Keep invoices, inventory lists, shipping documents, handover logs, photos and cost estimates. The insurer needs these documents to check the cause, value and amount of damage.
Contact support:If responsibilities are unclear, a central contact point should coordinate the case. Clear documentation helps, especially with a last-mile delivery, so that the transporter and insurer receive the same information.
For private individuals, the moving company's liability is more likely to be sufficient for normal household contents with a manageable value and an accepted residual risk. A separate policy is more worthwhile for high value, sensitive electronics, art, glass, machinery or a route with multiple levels of risk. In the event of damage, at least the contract documents, the value declaration, the proof of handover, photos and receipts for repairs or replacements should be available.
TIXPI organizes moves, individual transports and furniture deliveries with transparent price planning, appointment coordination and optional assembly. Check nowTIXPIHow to organize your transport and clarify the appropriate insurance coverage before collection.