Every year, the cost of running a car and a home goes up, and 2026 is no exception. According to a Comparis analysis reported by TIO.ch on 29 September 2026, a Swiss household now spends on average around CHF 1,000 more than a year ago on these two items. And in Ticino, the increase is sharper than elsewhere.
The good news? Part of these costs can be cut, for example by choosing to switch car insurance at the right time. One of the most effective and most overlooked levers is your insurance.
How much car and home costs have risen
The figures speak for themselves:
- +3% in Ticino, compared with a Swiss average of 2.4%.
- Car and home account for around 40% of the budget for everyday spending in a Swiss household.
- Fuel costs on average 17.9% more than a year ago.
- Car insurance premiums have risen by 7.4% in one year and by 18.9% over five years.
These are significant numbers, especially for families with more than one car and for companies with a large vehicle fleet, where every percentage point is multiplied.
Switch car insurance: why you should compare offers regularly
There is little you can do about fuel prices. Insurance premiums are a different story. The advice may sound obvious, but it is often ignored: check your savings potential regularly.
Premiums can vary considerably from one insurer to another, both for mandatory motor vehicle liability and for partial or fully comprehensive cover.
Premiums depend on many factors:
- type of vehicle: electric or hybrid, high-value car, work van, motorbike;
- how the vehicle is used (private, business);
- the driver’s age;
- discounts or promotions currently available;
- other contracts already held with the same insurer.
A policy that was good value three years ago may no longer be today, because insurers are adjusting and changing their rates more and more often, and more and more quickly.
Home and household contents: the same principle applies
The same reasoning applies to building insurance and household contents insurance. Here the premium depends on the type of construction, whether you rent or own, and the number and age of people in the household.
In fact, the principle applies to any insurance contract, for private individuals and businesses alike: liability, legal protection, business insurance and more.
The advantage of an independent insurance broker
Working with a broker means getting independent advice.
A broker does not work for a single insurer: they review your existing policies and look for better solutions in terms of cover or cost. The same applies when you take out a new contract. And if switching insurer makes sense, the broker guides you through the whole process.
The broker receives a mandate from the client (advisory or management). Their role is precisely to protect and assist the client in everything related to their insurance.
Cancel car insurance: can you switch car insurance before renewal?
When can I switch car insurance? As a rule, at the end of the contract, respecting the notice period stated in the General Terms and Conditions (GTC), which is normally 3 months. Switching before renewal is only possible in specific situations, sometimes with different rules from cancellation at the end of the contract. The broker checks whether any of these specific cases apply:
- a change of vehicle;
- following the payment of a claim;
- a change of ownership of the insured item or a change of policyholder, for example through inheritance, the purchase of a home or a change of a company’s name;
- a unilateral rate increase by the insurer, and therefore a higher premium: an increasingly common case, even before the contract expires.
How to switch car insurance in 4 steps
Switching car insurance is easier than it seems if you follow the right order. Here is what the broker can do to help the client assess the situation:
- Checking the contract’s expiry date and the deadline for sending the cancellation. If the deadline has passed, the policy automatically renews from year to year.
- Gathering the necessary documents, listed below.
- Comparing offers. Assessing not only the premium but also deductibles, cover, any limitations or restrictions, and so on.
- Cancelling and starting the new policy. Sending the cancellation in the form required by the contract and by the Swiss Insurance Contract Act (ICA), and making the new cover start within the correct timeframe.
What do I need to switch car insurance?
The documents you need depend on whether you are taking out a new contract or changing insurer:
- the policyholder’s details;
- the regular driver’s details;
- the vehicle’s registration document;
- your current policy with its General Terms and Conditions (GTC);
- the claims history for recent years. In Switzerland this does not necessarily have to be issued by the insurer: it can be a declaration by the policyholder.
With these documents, the broker can request several offers and compare them for you, with no obligation.
Changing vehicle: what happens to your car insurance
In Switzerland, licence plates and motor vehicle liability are linked to the vehicle holder, not to the car. If you change car, your cover usually moves to the new vehicle: the insurer issues a new insurance certificate and recalculates the premium.
This is the ideal moment to ask whether it is worth staying or switching insurer. An electric car, a higher-value model or a work van may cost much less with another company. Whether you want to change your liability cover or adjust deductibles and comprehensive cover, the broker compares the alternatives before you sign.
Insurance check-up: useful even without switching
The conditions for switching are not always there. Even then, a regular insurance check-up remains important. The check-up shows whether your cover still fits your situation, whether you are paying for guarantees you do not need, or whether something essential is missing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a consultation with a broker cost?
The first consultation is free and with no obligation.
Can I cancel my car insurance if the premium goes up?
In many cases, a unilateral rate increase gives you the right to cancel. The broker checks the terms of your contract and the deadlines to respect.
Does the broker also handle business insurance?
Yes. The broker also reviews company policies, from vehicle fleets to commercial buildings.
How often should I do an insurance check-up?
At least once a year, and whenever something important changes: a new vehicle, a move, a change in your family or business.
Can I switch car insurance after 6 months?
As a rule, no: you cannot switch insurance before renewal at will, only in specific cases such as a paid claim, a premium increase or a change of vehicle. The broker checks whether your case qualifies.
How do I switch car insurance without a gap in cover?
Make the start of the new policy coincide with the end of the old one. The new insurer sends the insurance certificate to the road traffic office.
Request a free review of your insurance
With prices rising constantly, a no-obligation consultation costs nothing but can save you significant sums. Contact us for a review of your insurance situation: together we will check your car, home and business policies.
