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Insurance & Risk

Cleaner Accident at Home: What Happens WITHOUT Insurance

What happens if your cleaner falls off a ladder while cleaning your windows and breaks her arm? Without accident insurance (UVG), you are personally liable - for hospital costs, continued salary payments, and in the worst case, a lifelong disability pension. This article shows exactly what you face and how to protect yourself for around CHF 100 per year.

Your cleaner climbs the ladder to clean the windows. She slips, falls, and breaks her arm and wrist. Paramedics, hospital, surgery, rehabilitation. Who pays?

Key takeaways

  • 1You pay ALL medical costs personally
  • 2You pay continued salary (cantonal scale applies)
  • 3In case of disability: lifelong pension from your own pocket
  • 4Plus fines up to CHF 10,000 (BGSA)

The Cost Avalanche: What an Accident Really Costs

A fall from a ladder sounds harmless. The bill is not. Here are the typical costs of a broken arm with wrist fracture:

Worst Case

Your cleaner suffers nerve damage to the wrist from the fall. The hand remains permanently impaired. Result: partial disability. Without UVG, YOU must pay a disability pension - out of your own pocket, for life. For a 45-year-old woman with 20 years of remaining working life: CHF 200,000-500,000.

WITH vs. WITHOUT UVG Insurance

The difference between catastrophe and minor inconvenience - for around CHF 100 per year.

WITHOUT UVG

  • •You pay ALL medical costs personally
  • •You pay continued salary (cantonal scale applies)
  • •In case of disability: lifelong pension from your own pocket
  • •Plus fines up to CHF 10,000 (BGSA)

WITH UVG

  • •UVG insurance covers ALL medical costs
  • •Daily allowance: 80% of salary from day 3
  • •In case of disability: UVG pension (not you)
  • •Cost: approx. CHF 100-200/year

CHF 100 per year separates you from a potential CHF 500,000 problem. No other investment in your household comes close to that ratio.

UVG Obligation: What You Need to Know as an Employer

The Accident Insurance Act (UVG) is mandatory for all employees in Switzerland - including cleaners in private households. Anyone who fails to take out UVG insurance is personally liable (Art. 68 and Art. 95 UVG).

ONE FALL · TWO BILLS

Was she registered?

No registration, no accident cover. The full bill lands on you privately.

Cantonal Hospital
Emergency & Surgery
NR. 2026-04471
M. S.
HOSPITAL BILL AFTER A WORKPLACE FALL
TOTAL MEDICAL COSTSCHF 0
Covered by insuranceCHF 0
Your share as employerCHF 37'600

Illustrative scenario, 2026 reference values. Accident cover is mandatory from hour 1, NBU from 8 hrs/week.

CHF 148,200
Max. insured earnings
80%
Daily allowance from day 3
8h/week
NBU threshold
CHF 100-200
Annual premium
Occupational accident (BU): mandatory from hour 1 - Non-occupational accident (NBU): mandatory from 8h/week
Occupational accident (BU): employer always pays the premium
Non-occupational accident (NBU): mandatory from 8h/week, premium can be passed to employee
Since 2025: VAVplus covers BU+NBU where the compensation office offers it (19 of 26 cantons, SOLIDA)
Typical premium: CHF 100-200 per year

Checklist: Is your domestic worker correctly insured?

4 Steps After an Accident

An accident has happened. Act quickly and correctly:

1

First aid & call paramedics

Secure the accident site, provide first aid and call the ambulance (144) if needed. Document what happened with photos and notes.

2

Report the accident to your UVG insurer

Report the accident within 48 hours to your UVG insurer (e.g. VAVplus/SOLIDA). The insurer takes over coordination immediately.

3

Clarify continued salary payment

From day 3, the UVG insurer pays 80% daily allowance. You as the employer cover the first 2 days at full salary. Check the applicable cantonal scale.

4

Plan the return or organise a replacement

Stay in contact with your domestic worker. Clarify the expected return date and organise a temporary replacement if needed.

Example: Reporting an accident via WhatsApp

Maria

online

Good morning! I'm sorry to tell you that I slipped while cleaning the bathtub this morning and injured my wrist. I'm currently in the emergency room.

08:14

Oh no! I hope it's not too serious. Please take care of yourself first. I will report the accident to our UVG insurer right away.

08:19

The doctor says it's a fracture. I'll probably need 3-4 weeks off. Do you need a medical certificate?

10:45

Yes, please send the certificate as soon as possible. UVG insurance covers from day 3. Get well soon!

10:52
Message

Protect yourself - for CHF 100/year

Clino registers your domestic worker correctly, arranges UVG insurance and handles payroll. All in one subscription - so an accident does not become a financial disaster.

Get covered now →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to insure a part-time cleaner?
Yes. Occupational accident insurance (BU) is mandatory for ALL employees - from the very first hour. Non-occupational accident insurance (NBU) becomes mandatory from 8 hours per week with one employer. Even below 8 hours, you must pay the BU premium.
What happens if an accident occurs during undeclared work?
You are personally liable for all costs - hospital, rehabilitation, continued salary. Additionally, fines under BGSA (up to CHF 10,000) and retroactive claims for all social insurance contributions apply. Art. 68 and Art. 95 UVG make you liable as employer if no insurance exists.
What exactly does UVG insurance cover?
UVG covers: all medical costs (doctor, hospital, medication, physiotherapy), daily allowance (80% of insured salary from day 3), disability pension for permanent impairment, and survivor's pension in case of death. The maximum insured earnings are CHF 148,200 per year.
Who pays for the first 2 days after the accident?
You as the employer pay the full salary for the first 2 days (waiting period). From day 3, the UVG insurer takes over with 80% daily allowance. This 2-day rule applies to all UVG-insured employees.
Can I take out UVG insurance retroactively?
No. Retroactive insurance is not possible. If an accident happens before you have insurance, you are fully liable. That is why you should insure from the very first working day. Via VAVplus/SOLIDA you can complete the registration online in minutes.

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Salvador Jovells

Salvador Jovells, founder of Clino

Verified July 2026