Extreme Sports Insurance in Switzerland Explained

Risk is a big part of the experience you get from extreme sports. Being properly insured against the risks can help protect your financial life while you do the activities you love.

1. Accident insurance

Rules governing mandatory Swiss accident insurance allow insurance companies to reduce benefits (including coverage for treatment, loss of income, and disability pensions) by up to 50 percent if an accident results from your taking exceptional risks.

As per recommendations from the UVG/LAA ad-hoc commission, the following sports that are always considered to be an extraordinary risk:

• Base jumping
• Bicycle acrobatics
• Diving at depths of 40 meters or more
• Driving a motorized vehicle on a race track (unless part of a driving safety course)
• Extreme karate (splitting bricks, for example)
• Riverboarding
• Speed-flying

Sports which are normally covered but are considered exceptional risks in certain cases (primarily when practiced competitively):

• Autocross (racing and training)
• Boat racing (motorized, racing and training)
• Boxing (full-on, competitive)
• Downhill biking
• Go-karting (training and racing with vehicles capable of speeds above 100 Kmph)
• Motocross (racing and training on race tracks)
• Motorcycle racing (and training on race tracks)
• Skateboarding (when it is competitive or speed-driven)
• Skiing with the goal of setting a record
• Snowmobile racing (and race training)
• Quad bike racing (or race training)

Sports which are normally covered but are considered an exceptional risk in the case of gross negligence:

• Buildering (in dangerous conditions, such as at night or in an intoxicated state)
• Canyoning (when guidelines are not followed)
• Combat training (unless officially approved and overseen by relevant authorities)
• Hang gliding or parachuting (in hazardous wind conditions)
• Mountain climbing, rock climbing and ice climbing (when safety guidelines are not followed
• Off-slope snow sports (when official guidelines and regulations are not closely followed)
• Sailing or canoeing (under extreme conditions)
• Snow rafting (where adequate safety procedures are not followed)

In extreme cases, accident insurance providers can deny insurance benefits altogether. This could be the case if, for example, you attempt a difficult alpine climb alone in poor weather conditions in spite of warnings.

2. Liability insurance

If you cause injury or damage to other people or their property while practicing extreme sports, you may be liable for the associated costs and loss of income.

Swiss personal liability insurance generally excludes liability for damages if the cause of damage is foreseeable, or if the risk of damages is high. Participation in competitive motorsports including training is also normally excluded.

3. Life insurance

When you take out Swiss term life insurance, you have to fill out a questionnaire which, among other things, asks what kind of sports you practice. You must answer this truthfully, and the insurance company will decide whether or not to accept your application in spite of your extreme sporting activities.

Swiss life insurance generally does not specifically exclude extreme sports, and insurers generally waive their right to reduce benefits for deaths caused by gross negligence. If the insurance company accepts you even though you engage in extreme sports, you will be covered against the risk of death unless a special exclusion is made.

4. Health insurance

Basic mandatory health insurance covers medical costs for illnesses related to practicing extreme sports the same as health issues with other causes.

However, supplementary health insurance typically excludes extreme sports based on the rules applicable to accident insurance. This generally also applies to dental insurance.

5. Travel insurance

Most Swiss travel insurance offers explicitly exclude damages resulting from certain extreme sports from coverage. This generally applies to all travel insurance coverages including trip delay and cancellation, medical emergencies, medical evacuation and/or repatriation, search and rescue, emergency dental care, and legal assistance. 

Examples of sports which may be excluded are: 

• Training and/or competing in motorsport on land or water; 
• Training and competing in organized sporting events; 
• Training or competing in professional or semi-professional sports which involve high speeds

Travel insurers usually exclude damages which result from deliberately participating in any high-risk activities. Damages caused by gross negligence are also generally excluded.

More on this topic:
Winter sports: How to get properly insured
Compare Swiss term life insurance offers now
Swiss accident insurance guide
Swiss disability pension guide