S-Pedelec Insurance in Switzerland: What You Really Need

Short answer:

An e-bike with pedal assistance up to 45 km/h (S-pedelec) is classified as a motorised bicycle in Switzerland. You therefore need a vehicle registration certificate, a yellow number plate and an insurance sticker that must be renewed annually. The sticker confirms that you have the compulsory third-party liability insurance.

The costs are not the same throughout Switzerland. They are set at cantonal level and often include collective third-party liability insurance as well as the insurance sticker. In the canton of Zurich, for example, the annual renewal for a high-speed e-bike costs

CHF 22.10, whilst in the canton of Bern it costs CHF 32.

Additional theft, comprehensive or all-risk insurance is voluntary. However, it is often advisable for an S-pedelec worth several thousand francs.

Compulsory vs. optional – an overview

Insurance	Compulsory?	Approximate annual costs
Third-party liability (sticker), from 45 km/h	Yes	CHF 40 (sticker)
Number plate, from 45 km/h	Yes	one-off fee CHF 40–60
Theft insurance	Not compulsory, optional	CHF 100–250, depending on the value of the bike, cover and excess
Comprehensive insurance	Not compulsory, optional	CHF 150–300, individual premium
Breakdown assistance / roadside assistance	Not compulsory, optional	CHF 40–80, sometimes available as an add-on
Accident insurance for the rider	To be arranged personally	Via employer, accident or health insurance

The exact fees vary depending on your canton of residence. Premiums for voluntary insurance also depend heavily on the purchase price, the chosen sum insured, the excess and the scope of cover.

Compulsory e-bike third-party liability insurance: what it covers

Covers damage you cause to others:

• Property damage (other people’s cars, fences, shop windows)
• Personal injury (pedestrians, cyclists)
• Financial loss

Damage to your own S-pedelec is not covered. Nor are your own injuries covered by motorised bicycle third-party liability insurance. Depending on your personal circumstances, this may be covered by your employer’s accident insurance, a private accident insurance policy or your health insurance.

The e-bike number plate and insurance sticker in Switzerland (only for speeds of 45 km/h or above)

A high-speed e-bike must be registered before it is used on public roads. When buying a new bike, dealers can sometimes handle the registration process directly. Otherwise, the Road Traffic Office in your canton of residence is responsible.

• Where to obtain: Road Traffic Office counters, post offices, many dealers
• Price: CHF 40 per year
• Validity: 1 January – 31 May of the following year
• Obtaining the registration plate: Register once at the cantonal Road Traffic Office

The vignette is generally valid from 1 January of the year printed on it until 31 May of the following year. From 1 June onwards, you may only ride with the vignette for the current year.

If you already have a registered S-pedelec, in many cantons you will automatically receive an invoice for the next vignette. Once payment has been made, the new registration sticker will be sent to you.

E-bike theft protection: do I really need it?

Statistics: In 2023, over 40,000 bikes were stolen in Switzerland, of which ~8% were e-bikes/S-pedelecs.

A Power45 from AureusDrive costs CHF 4,490 – a total write-off without insurance would be a real blow.

What a good theft insurance policy covers

• Replacement value compensation for the first 2 years
• Cover for burglary, domestic theft and theft in public spaces
• Worldwide cover (holidays!)
• Replacement keys if lost

Conditions for cover (typically)

• A lock registered to the ‘Sold Secure Gold’ or ART 3+ category
• E-bike secured to a fixed object
• Report made to the police within 24 hours
• Proof of purchase + frame number available

Is home contents insurance enough?

That depends on the policy.

If the S-pedelec is stolen from a locked flat, garage or locked cellar, the loss may be covered by home contents insurance. For theft at a railway station, outside the office or whilst shopping, the additional cover ‘Simple theft away from home’ is often required. The chosen sum insured must be at least equal to the value of the S-pedelec and the insured accessories.

Check the following in particular:

• Is ‘simple theft whilst out and about’ included?
• What is the maximum sum insured?
• Does the cover also apply at night and abroad?
• Are the battery and accessories also insured?
• Is the replacement value or only the current market value paid out?
• What is the excess?
• What are the requirements for the lock?

E-bike comprehensive cover: who is it suitable for?

Covers damage to your own bike (falls, vandalism, water damage).

Suitable if:

• E-bike replacement value > CHF 4,000
• Regular use (commuters)
• No replacement bike available

What to do in the event of a claim?

1. Safety first and foremost – attend to any injured people
2. Call the police in the event of personal injury, suspected hit-and-run or a dispute
3. Take photos of the accident scene and the damage
4. Note down witnesses (name, contact details)
5. Report the incident to your insurance company within 48 hours
6. Do not admit fault without legal advice

What to do in the event of an accident?

1. Secure the scene of the accident and attend to any injured persons first.
2. If anyone is injured or the situation is dangerous, call the emergency number 144 or the police on 117.
3. Take photographs of the scene of the accident, the vehicles, the damage, skid marks and the traffic situation.
4. Note down the names and contact details of those involved and any witnesses.
5. Exchange insurance and contact details.
6. Notify the relevant insurance company as soon as possible.
7. Do not have any major repairs carried out until you have consulted the insurance company first, and request a cost estimate beforehand.

Give a factual account of what happened to the police and the insurance company. Avoid making hasty written statements regarding liability, the extent of the damage or final settlement.

What should you do if your e-bike has been stolen?

• First, check whether the e-bike may have been moved or relocated.
• Report the theft to the police immediately.
• Have the frame number, vehicle registration document, proof of purchase and photos to hand.
• Notify your insurance company.
• Block or report any existing GPS or app access.
• Also report the loss of the number plate and the vignette.
• Keep the police confirmation of the claim.

If a number plate is lost or stolen, the cantonal authorities usually require a report of loss before a new number plate or vignette is issued.

Buying a second-hand S-pedelec: insurance and change of ownership

When buying a second-hand S-pedelec, you should ask to be given the original vehicle registration certificate. The change of ownership must be reported to the relevant road traffic authority.

Depending on the canton, the existing number plate and any vignette that is still valid may be retained or transferred to the new owner. Without the original documents, an additional inspection by a specialist workshop may be required.

When buying second-hand, also check:

• Frame number and vehicle registration certificate
• Proof of purchase or proof of ownership
• Valid vignette
• Original condition of the motor
• Battery condition
• Any technical modifications carried out
• Keys and chargers included

S-pedelecs abroad

Swiss regulations and Swiss registration are not automatically treated in the same way in every country. Speed limits, helmet requirements, permitted road use and insurance requirements may vary.

Therefore, before travelling, check:

• whether the S-pedelec is authorised in the destination country
• which road sections may be used
• whether third-party liability cover applies in the destination country
• whether theft and comprehensive cover are valid worldwide
• whether breakdown assistance abroad is included

Insurers also recommend checking the legal situation in the country you’re travelling to before setting off..

FAQ

What happens in the event of an accident without a vignette?

Fines of up to CHF 100, retroactive insurance + administration fees, and recourse by the insurer if third parties have been injured.

Is my home contents insurance sufficient?

Only to a limited extent – it often only covers theft from inside the home, not outside. Check your policy carefully.

Do I have to present the S-pedelec for an MOT?

No, S-pedelecs are exempt from the MOT.

Can I pay for the insurance monthly?

Usually yes, but with a surcharge (5–10%). Paying annually is cheaper.

What is the typical excess?

CHF 200–500 for theft, CHF 100–300 for comprehensive cover.

AureusDrive e-bikes requiring a number plate