Lexipedia

Overinsurance

Overinsurance occurs when combined benefits exceed the legally accepted loss, leading to coordination or reduction of payments.

Overinsurance rules prevent social insurance benefits from giving an insured person more than the relevant economic loss or statutory ceiling. In Switzerland, they matter when several insurers or sources pay for the same event, such as accident insurance, disability insurance, occupational benefits, daily allowances and liability compensation. The rules determine which benefits are primary, which are reduced and how income, care costs or survivor losses are calculated. The aim is coordination, not punishment: necessary benefits remain payable, but duplication is limited.