At the end of May 2026, the online comparison portal bonus.ch conducted its annual survey on car insurance premiums in Switzerland. Within this framework, tariff surveys were conducted with major car insurers based on three sample profiles (18, 30, and 70 years old). The analysis highlights the decisive influence of certain criteria—such as age, nationality, or residence—on determining premiums.
Criterion Age: A premium difference of up to CHF 2,513.-
The analysis of premium differences between an 18-year-old and a 70-year-old Swiss driver underscores the significant impact of age on car insurance premiums. On average, a young driver pays 155% more than an older driver with the same coverage and the same insurance provider.
For comprehensive insurance, this difference can amount to CHF 2,513.-, with the premium for the younger driver being CHF 3,586.- versus CHF 1,073.- for the older driver. For liability insurance, the difference is even more pronounced, reaching 296% (CHF 2,126.- compared to CHF 536.-). Even in the most moderate case, the difference remains substantial, with an increase of 84% or a difference of CHF 512.-.
Age: How large is the difference between a 30-year-old driver and a 70-year-old senior driver?
On average, a 70-year-old Swiss driver pays a car insurance premium that is about 2% higher than a 30-year-old insured person. However, considerable differences exist among insurers behind this average: Some companies impose surcharges of up to 53% on older policyholders. Others are more accommodating to this group and offer premiums that are up to 17% below those for a 30-year-old.
Parameter Nationality: Differences can exceed CHF 5,000.-
Nationality is one of the most crucial factors in calculating car insurance premiums. On average, an 18-year-old rookie driver with a Swiss residence permit C and Kosovar origin pays 63% more than a Swiss insured of the same age. For a comprehensive insurance policy with the same insurer, the difference can reach up to CHF 5,054.- (CHF 7,958.- vs. CHF 2,904.-).
The largest differences with the same provider almost triple a yearly premium of CHF 3,147.- compared to CHF 1,061.-. Conversely, some insurers restrict these differences more: For instance, at ELVIA, the smallest difference observed for partial coverage is 19%, which still amounts to CHF 253.-.
Foreign Young Drivers: Additional Costs of up to CHF 6,600.-
The combination of age and nationality, two factors considered as risk factors by car insurers, leads to a sharp increase in car insurance premiums. Thus, an 18-year-old driver from Kosovo pays almost four times as much as a 30-year-old Swiss insured for equivalent coverage with the same provider.
In extreme cases, the price difference for comprehensive insurance can be up to CHF 6,600.- (CHF 7,958.- vs. CHF 1,358.-). For simple liability insurance, the difference is almost sevenfold (CHF 3,147.- vs. CHF 466.-).
Which other parameters influence the amount of premiums?
The price of car insurance is determined by numerous factors. Besides age and nationality, which are among the most important factors, other parameters also play a role, such as the driver's experience, gender, residence, mileage, and vehicle characteristics (value, model, and even color).
In its study conducted last year, bonus.ch compared a sportier vehicle (Audi Q3 35 TFSI S line) with the model chosen this year (VW Tiguan Allspace 1.5 TSI base, more family-oriented). In the most extreme cases, the observed differences were even more pronounced, reaching almost CHF 7,500.-.
Residence: Price differences can exceed 50%
According to data collected by the comparison portal bonus.ch in 2023, the place of residence plays a crucial role in the amount of car insurance premiums. The analysis shows that rate differences are not limited to cantonal boundaries but also affect the localities themselves. Even within a city, the postal code can lead to significant price differences.
A study of the tariffs of the eight largest car insurers in Switzerland shows average differences of over CHF 500.- between the most expensive and cheapest zones. With the same insurer, premium differences depending on location range from 14% to 53%.
Accumulation of various factors considered as risks: Additional costs of up to CHF 8,072.-
With a profile that accumulates several criteria considered by insurers as increased risks, the price of car insurance skyrockets. As an example, bonus.ch compared the premiums of a young driver of Kosovar nationality living in Lugano with those of a 30-year-old Swiss insured residing in Köniz. With the provider offering the most extreme conditions, the additional costs amounted to CHF 7,632.- (CHF 8,946.- versus CHF 1,314.-) for comprehensive insurance for the VW Tiguan Allspace.
The more so-called "risk factors" that come together, the higher the premium climbs. Even with a somewhat sportier vehicle model, the surcharge increases to CHF 8,072.- (CHF 9,476.- for the aforementioned Kosovar profile compared to CHF 1,404.- for the Swiss driver).
Car insurance premiums are constantly changing
Insurers frequently adjust their rates, sometimes even from one week to the next, depending on market trends and the development of claims costs. These regular adjustments enable them to maintain a balance between profitability and competitiveness. Thanks to the digitization of processes, these adjustments can now be implemented very quickly, offering insured individuals more opportunities to save money by comparing offers.
With the comparison tool from bonus.ch, various market offers can be analyzed in moments and the offer that best meets personal needs and budget can be identified. Every year, the platform records more than a million simulation calculations for premiums.
Detailed analysis results: https://www.bonus.ch/Pdf/2026/Autoversicherung-vergleich.pdf
Access to the car insurance
premium comparison:
https://www.bonus.ch/zrVYS65.aspx
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Patrick Ducret
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ducret(a)bonus.ch
Lausanne, 18 June 2026