Find a common consensus

If an employer has not taken out daily sickness benefit insurance in this case, the employer bears the financial risk of losing a worker himself. This means that employers have to pay the wages in full without receiving any work from the employee. 

If, on the other hand, the employer is not obliged to pay wages, the employees automatically no longer receive any replacement income. It is therefore highly recommended for employees to take out their own daily sickness benefit policy. 

Accordingly, if there is no collective agreement by the employer, individual insured persons with health insurance companies or private insurance companies can expect a higher premium burden.

Benefits of daily sickness insurance

In order to avoid these circumstances, employees and employers are well advised to find a common solution with the collective daily sickness benefit insurance. In general, a collective daily sickness benefit policy is not a compulsory insurance. The employee is therefore free to deduct the full bonuses from the employees' wages. 

If the employer pays 50 percent of the bonus, the employer only has to pay 80 percent of the wages during the agreed waiting period. The financing of this insurance depends on its type. Individual insurance is generally more expensive than group insurance. After all, the risk of a single policy is borne by just one person. 

That is why employers are well advised to opt for a collective policy and thus to use lower premiums. However, there are also some sports in Switzerland, the practice of which insurance is considered a risk and the consequences of which can lead to reductions in daily sickness benefits. These include:

• • motor race
  • extreme Karate
  • Motor boat and motorcycle races

No standard schemes

However, there is no uniform solution for concluding a collective contract for a company. Private insurers and health insurance companies offer such agreements. Every step and every decision should be carefully considered in advance. Only then is it possible to select the right product with the right price-performance ratio. 

Various factors have to be taken into account. The KVG, the Health Insurance Act, is an example of an insurance basis. Insurance contracts based on this allow a particularly flexible arrangement. This is offset by the guidelines according to the VVG, the Insurance Contract Act. Regulations on services are interpreted more strictly.

What factors to look out for?

With regard to the waiting periods, it is also worth taking a look at the details. For example, a contract based on the VVG usually excludes the accumulation of several diseases. For employees, this means that they will not receive any daily benefits if they are sick for 15 days in one month and again for another 20 days with another illness. 

Services to be provided by the policy are also determined individually. This agreement clarifies, among other things, the question of when the daily allowance begins and whether the start of the benefit can be postponed by a premium reduction. In addition, policyholders should think carefully about what benefits are considered for possible maternity protection for women workers and what maximum earnings should be insured.

Employers should talk to workers

Employers are well advised to inform employees about individual insurance conditions. This is particularly important in order to close any insurance gaps that may arise. When leaving the company, employees should be informed that it is possible to switch to individual insurance. 

But is collective daily sickness benefit insurance a good solution? Generally, of course. Finally, the common insurance concept contributes to solidarity. On the other hand, it is possible to take different interests into account with an overall package.

What amount should daily sickness insurance cover?

The amount of the insurance depends on all monthly expenses and income. That is why it makes sense to get an idea of your own financial situation through an individual household plan. As a rule, the following monthly expenses are incurred: 

• • Household: food, clothing, telephone or internet, radio, clubs, newspapers
  • Housing: rent, additional costs such as electricity, gas, garbage, water
  • Motor vehicle costs: tax, fuel, repair (estimated)
  • Insurance
  • Rates for savings contracts
  • Financing costs: real estate, loan or leasing installments
  • Other: travel expenses, entertainment, culture, leisure, hobby, taxes, maintenance payments, school, education and further training

Potential policyholders deduct the expected sickness benefit from this sum. The resulting difference should be covered by daily sickness benefits. 

Worth it! Now click here and find the best health insurance company with the Find health insurance comparison!