No, I'm suggesting that maybe they can't, but not claiming that this is in fact the case. I'd love to hear from someone who's actually got some knowledge of this area, as I certainly haven't.

Without any evidence that there is a risk, why on earth would I choose to pay hundreds of francs a year to insure against it?

I might as well take out insurance against my house getting zapped by a space alien. After all, I don't _know_ that this can't happen

Because you don't work, your KK includes accidents. Normally Accident insurance is from work so it covers loss of income as well, which is why it's 2-3% of salary rather than approx 12 CHF a month.

Household insurance may well include 3rd Party liability, very common in the UK.

I thought of that too. Perhaps I ought to get some

Ashatz so glad your injuries were not too serious.

You really need to check your Insurance. If you are not employed you should make sure your insurance covers all three, illness, accidents and liability for 3rd party. Not all people in Switzerland on the slopes are Swiss and insured- either for themselves or for 3rd party. The cost and damages can be ginormous.

As we are not employed, we were very careful to take Insurance that cover all 3- 3rd party liability Insurance is a very reasonable add-on and just not worth being without, and not just on the ski slopes.

well, i guess if you think that house being zapped by aliens is as likely as you being liable for an accident etc. then i guess i understand why you're not getting insurance

Everyone Skiing "should" be covered for accident by either:

1. Their employer's policy.
2. Their health cover with accident add on which they must have if un or self employed.
3. Their travel insurance winter sports section if a tourist.

Items 1 and 2 will cover only the person in general usually where as some tourist options will cover liability to 3rd parties and 3rd parties' equipment and property.

The 3rd party liability on Swiss products is separate to the health cover and altho' often written on the same document as a household contents insurance is actually a separate cover, it is not included automatically. A single persons liability cover of 5 million without driving extensions costs about 120 bucks a year.

Most Swiss have such cover and it is there purely for a party making a claim off you from things like a landlord claiming for damage to the bathroom in your rented apartment to skiing through a farmers shiny new cow shed on the piste.

In a case such of blatantly causing an accident during sports the payment to the injured party will be paid from the accident cover of the person but THEN claimed from the person responsible alongside any damage to their equipment.

This is the same as kicking a football, it sailing through someone's window, smashing a ming vase and then bouncing uncontrollably into Pappy Fachbender's mouth and firing his dentures into Frau Stocker's arm causing lacerations... all areas of this somewhat unlikely claim would lay firmly at the feet of the football kicker! Thus claimed ultimately off them or their liability.

Hope this helps..

David

A college told me today to subscript myself in the REGA.ch 40 CHF/year...
He told me that they would rescue me whereever I am in the world... by plane or helicopter. hohoho


But that's another thing... How many insurances has a typical swiss?

What do I have to do to contract the point 3? Krankenkasse? And how much does it cost?

Little unsure what you mean to contract... As a tourist visiting to Ski you mean?

A typical Swiss will have compusory health Insurance for both illness and accidents, and most will be a small added premium for third party insurance/liability in case somewone gets injured in or near their house (snow falling from the roof, someone falling down some steps- or say a cleaning lady falling from some steps - or indeed if they injur someone during any activity.

Most will also insure their possessions (this is of course totally optional - some friends just put a certain sum aside in a special account every year- and have saved a lot of money this way) and their house if their own a flat or house, including water damage, etc. They have to have compulsory fire insurance.

And of course will have to have proper Insurance if they drive a car.

We also have yearly travel Insurance as we travel quite a lot + Rega for helicopter rescue - as said before, best value around. They will also deal with medical emergencies abroad, communicating with medical staff wherever you are in the world- and if they assess you are at considerable risk, will come and get you. A friend of mine had a heart attack in Tunisia and they went to fetch him by private plane with a Doctor and 2 nurses - all that for 40CHF a year. Brilliant.

Just cannot believe that any experienced skier can come up with statements like that (not you Phil) I have skied for 55+ years, and I just love skiing and snowboarding. But i've seen some horrendous injuries over the years - including a be-heading by a snowboarder jumping over a crest and landing into somebody he couldn't see below. Another friend had his chest crushed with massive internal injuries in the same circumstances. Bot are fabulous sports - but anybody who says that severe injuries to 3rd parties are rare or minor, shouldn't be allowed on the slopes. Sorry, punkt schluss - point à la ligne, basta.

Maybe you're misreading something, but I don't think anyone's even suggested this might be the case.

Well said.

AND WEAR A HELMET. IT MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE!!

Isn't that exactly what it says above? ?


Well done for passing your First ski instructor level btw. I am a ski instructor too, and a snowboarder. One of the first thing we were taught was not about ski technique, but about safety and responsibility, and how to minimise risk to self but mainly to others- and we were reminded of the severity of injuries that can be inflicted with skis or a snowboard. It isn't just beginner skiers and snowboarders that injur others- but very experienced ones, who ski/board much much faster. Most of the time their experience, skill, confidence and '6th sense' means they can avoid disaster, but it can still happen to the best, I can assure you.

Have fun - stay safe- and more importantly make sure you don't injur anybody. And if it does happen, be prepared to take full responsibility. Honest, if you do not understand that, you shouldn't be instructor. Have a great winter, OK.