Car Insurance, What a Blow: One in Two People Pay More in 2026 (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

According to a Comparis survey, almost one in two insured individuals will pay more for their car insurance in 2026. The most significant increases are recorded in French-speaking Switzerland.

Contesto

TL;DR - Half of insured will pay more in 2026 - Premium increases due to general cost rise - Changing insurers can save up to 500 CHF/year - Check annual premiums and compare offers ## Key facts - Survey participants: 1,026 car owners - Premium increase: Over 200 CHF in French-speaking Switzerland - Annual renewal: Mandatory in Switzerland - Savings example: 300 CHF by changing insurer in Locarno - Minimum coverage: 100,000 CHF for material damage, 5M CHF for bodily injury - Premium increase 2025: 3.5% compared to previous year - Road accidents Lugano: 145 in 2025 - Road accidents Bellinzona: 120 in 2025 Car Insurance, What a Blow: One in Two People Pay More in 2026 In 2026, almost one in two insured individuals will pay more for their car insurance. This is what emerges from a representative survey conducted by the online comparison service Comparis, involving 1,026 car owners who have taken out insurance for their vehicle. The survey results show that the most significant increases are recorded in French-speaking Switzerland, where over a third of insured individuals with a higher premium have experienced an increase of over 200 francs. The majority of insured individuals have not been involved in accidents, but still pay more. 'In most cases, the premium increase is not due to an accident, but to a general increase in costs,' explains a Comparis spokesperson. Insured individuals can therefore expect to pay more even if they have not had any accidents. A concrete example is that of an insured individual from Lugano, who has seen their annual premium increase by 150 francs, from 800 to 950 francs. Another example is that of an insured individual from Bellinzona, who has experienced an increase of 250 francs, from 1,200 to 1,450 francs. Swiss regulations require c...

Dettagli operativi

According to the survey, only a minority of insured individuals change insurance companies despite premium increases. This could be due to a lack of information or difficulty in finding a better offer. However, insured individuals can save money by changing insurance companies or negotiating with their current insurance company. A concrete example: if an insured individual from Lugano currently pays 800 francs per year for car insurance, they could save up to 200 francs per year by changing insurance companies. This may seem like a modest amount, but over the course of 5 years, the savings would be 1,000 francs. To save money, insured individuals can also consider increasing the deductible or choosing an insurance policy with a lower premium. However, it is essential to carefully consider the options before making a decision, as an insurance policy with a lower premium may not offer the same coverage as a policy with a higher premium. In Ticino, the law requires insurance companies to offer a minimum coverage of 100,000 francs for material damage and 5 million francs for bodily injury. However, some insurance companies offer higher coverage, up to 10 million francs for bodily injury. Here is a checklist for insured individuals who want to save money: - Verify the current coverage and compare it with offers from other insurance companies - Consider increasing the deductible to reduce the premium - Choose an insurance policy with a lower premium, but verify the coverage offered - Negotiate with the current insurance company to obtain a lower premium An example of a comparison between practical scenarios: if an insured individual from Bellinzona currently pays 1,200 francs per year for car insurance with coverage of 5 million francs for bodily injury, they could save...

Punti chiave

Car Insurance, What a Blow: One in Two People Pay More in 2026 In conclusion, car insurance policyholders must be prepared to pay more in 2026. However, there are ways to save money, such as changing insurance companies or negotiating with the current insurance company. It is essential to carefully consider the options and seek to find a better offer. According to data from the Federal Office of Private Insurance (FOPI), in 2025, car insurance companies increased premiums by 3.5% compared to the previous year. This increase was caused by various factors, including the increase in repair costs and the growth in the number of road accidents. In the canton of Ticino, the cities with the highest number of road accidents were Lugano and Bellinzona. In Lugano, 145 road accidents were recorded in 2025, while in Bellinzona, there were 120. These data can influence car insurance premiums for residents of these cities. To save money on your car insurance, you can use our insurance calculator to compare offers from different insurance companies. insurance calculator Here are some concrete examples of how to save money on your car insurance: If you are a resident of Lugano and have a car worth 20,000 CHF, you could save up to 300 CHF per year by changing insurance companies. If you are a resident of Bellinzona and have a car worth 15,000 CHF, you could save up to 200 CHF per year by negotiating with your current insurance company. It is essential to note that car insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the insurance company and the options chosen. Here is a checklist to help you save money on your car insurance: Check the premiums of different insurance companies Negotiate with your current insurance company Consider increasing the deductible Consider red...

Punti chiave

[{"q":"How much will car insurance premiums increase in 2026 for cross-border commuters?","a":"In 2026, almost one in two people will pay more for car insurance. The Comparis survey of 1,026 policyholders shows that in French-speaking Switzerland, more than a third saw increases exceeding 200 francs, with examples from Lugano (+150 CHF) and Bellinzona (+250 CHF)."},{"q":"How to check and compare the new car premium against the previous year's?","a":"Car insurance policies in Switzerland renew annually; the company sends a letter with the new premium. It’s advisable to review the proposed premium, compare it with the previous year’s, and check for any changes. If the increase exceeds 100‑150 CHF, consider alternative offers or negotiate with your current insurer."},{"q":"How much can you save by switching car insurance companies?","a":"Switching companies can save 200‑500 CHF per year. A policyholder in Locarno saved 300 CHF by switching to another policy; a 30-year-old driver with a 20,000 CHF car can save around 200 CHF, while a 50-year-old with a 50,000 CHF vehicle can reduce their premium by 500 CHF. The cumulative savings over 5 years exceed 1,000 CHF."},{"q":"What are the consequences of increasing the deductible to lower car insurance premiums?","a":"Increasing the deductible is a quick way to reduce premiums: a higher deductible can lower costs by 100‑150 CHF per year. However, in the event of a claim, the policyholder will have to cover a larger share of expenses. Assess your financial capacity and required coverage level before adjusting the deductible."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
How much will car insurance premiums increase in 2026 for cross-border commuters?
In 2026, almost one in two people will pay more for car insurance. The Comparis survey of 1,026 policyholders shows that in French-speaking Switzerland, more than a third saw increases exceeding 200 francs, with examples from Lugano (+150 CHF) and Bellinzona (+250 CHF).
How to check and compare the new car premium against the previous year's?
Car insurance policies in Switzerland renew annually; the company sends a letter with the new premium. It’s advisable to review the proposed premium, compare it with the previous year’s, and check for any changes. If the increase exceeds 100‑150 CHF, consider alternative offers or negotiate with your current insurer.
How much can you save by switching car insurance companies?
Switching companies can save 200‑500 CHF per year. A policyholder in Locarno saved 300 CHF by switching to another policy; a 30-year-old driver with a 20,000 CHF car can save around 200 CHF, while a 50-year-old with a 50,000 CHF vehicle can reduce their premium by 500 CHF. The cumulative savings over 5 years exceed 1,000 CHF.
What are the consequences of increasing the deductible to lower car insurance premiums?
Increasing the deductible is a quick way to reduce premiums: a higher deductible can lower costs by 100‑150 CHF per year. However, in the event of a claim, the policyholder will have to cover a larger share of expenses. Assess your financial capacity and required coverage level before adjusting the deductible.

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