Accident Insurance in Switzerland

Compulsory accident insurance was reorganized in Switzerland in 1984. One of the most important changes was the extension of insurance to cover all employees. This extension was accompanied by the division of insurance carriers: the largest of these is the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund (Suva), an organization under public law. Besides Suva, a further 38 insurance companies - private insurance organizations, recognized health insurance funds as well as accident insurance funds - provide social accident insurance. These multiple insurance carriers as they are known are now operating smoothly.

The competitive situation between Suva and the other accident insurers is an inducement to focus on customer requirements and to work efficiently and economically - a situation from which both employers and employees benefit. However, there still remains the question of whether the present-day arrangement is the correct solution. Deregulation of this partial monopoly and the privatization of Suva are currently being discussed at political level.