In insurance terms, simple theft denotes a situation in which an unknown party steals property without the use of violence or forced entry. That sets it apart from burglary (forced entry) and robbery (theft involving the threat or use of violence).
In simple theft, the thief does not have to force entry by damaging doors, windows, or barriers, or tampering with locks. This could be the case, for example, when a door is left unlocked, a window is left open, or goods are not enclosed.
Swiss insurance companies differentiate between simple theft at home and simple theft away from home.
Coverage for simple theft at home is generally included in all Swiss household insurance offers. However, cash and cash equivalents like securities, payment cards and vouchers are typically excluded from simple theft coverage. Jewelry is also generally only covered up to a certain limit – such as 10,000 or 20,000 francs.
Many insurers give you the option of adding an insurance rider which covers simple theft away from home, but only up to a predefined limit. You normally have the option of choosing the limit when you take out the insurance, with options typically ranging between 1000 and 5000 francs of coverage. In many cases an insurance deductible – typically 200 francs – applies to each claim.
More on this topic:
How to insure simple theft away from home
Coverages which may be included in Swiss household insurance
Household insurance explained
Burglary explained
Robbery explained
