Helvetia
Helvetia is a motor casco insurance for the AT market with no online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
Helvetia pays repair costs directly to partner workshops when the workshop service option is selected; for other workshops the insured pays first and is reimbursed after submission of the repair invoice.
Geographic scope
AT
Europa im geografischen Sinne (exkl. asiatischer Teil der Türkei); jedenfalls Mitgliedstaaten der EU und des EWR sowie Andorra, Schweiz und Serbien gemäß multilateralem Garantieabkommen vom 30. Mai 2002
Unique selling points
- Three selectable casco variants (klassisch, gehoben, exklusiv) allow coverage of gross negligence and new-value compensation to be added without switching insurers.
- Partner workshop service provides a free replacement vehicle and complimentary vehicle collection/return, combined with a 6-year guarantee on all bodywork and paintwork by TÜV/DEKRA-certified workshops.
- The sport and electronics package (Freizeit- und Elektronikpaket) covers private sports equipment up to EUR 3,500 and electronic devices up to EUR 1,500 at new value, on top of the standard casco base cover.
- Claims service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with online damage reporting and access to a nationwide partner workshop network for fast, paperless repair settlement.
- Wildfire animal bite damage (e.g. marten bites) to hoses, cables and insulation material in the engine compartment is covered up to EUR 3,500, including collision damage with all types of animals while the vehicle is in motion.
Coverage limits
Own Damage (Accident / Collision)
Covered
Covers damage to the insured vehicle caused by an accident, i.e. a sudden external mechanical force event such as collision, impact, or crash. Damage caused by a trailer in the tow combination is also treated as an accident. Brake damage, operational damage, and pure breakage damage are not covered. In the case of partial damage, repair costs and necessary transport costs are covered; for passenger cars, kombis and LKW up to 1.5t payload, no depreciation deduction (new-for-old) is applied.
SourceTotal Loss
Covered
A total loss applies when the vehicle is destroyed or lost, or when estimated repair costs plus residual value exceed the replacement value. Helvetia pays the replacement value (Wiederbeschaffungswert) – the cost of acquiring an equivalent vehicle in the same condition. Repair is possible up to a maximum of 80% of the replacement value. The optional new-value clause (Neuwertklausel) in the 'exklusiv' variant provides enhanced payment: full purchase price in months 1–6, 90% in months 7–12, 80% in months 13–24, 75% in months 25–30 from first registration; from month 31 onward the replacement value applies.
SourcePartial Loss (Repair)
Covered
Where no total loss exists, Helvetia covers the costs of restoration and necessary transport costs for spare parts. For passenger cars, kombis and LKW up to 1.5t payload no new-for-old deduction applies. For other vehicle types, an age/wear deduction applies except within the first three years of first registration (tires, battery and paint excepted). No coverage for modifications, improvements, wear repairs, loss of value, loss of use, or replacement vehicle costs under the standard partial loss benefit.
SourceTheft, Embezzlement and Robbery
Covered
Covers total theft, partial theft (theft of vehicle parts), embezzlement, and robbery of the insured vehicle, as well as vehicle damage caused by theft. If stolen items reappear after one month from the claims notification, they become property of the insurer. Recovery costs are reimbursed up to a maximum of 10% of the replacement value (AVBK 2020) without deduction of any agreed excess.
SourceGlass Breakage
Covered
Covers glass breakage regardless of cause on windscreens, side windows, rear windows, headlights, reversing lights, rear lights, fog lights, indicators, exterior mirrors, panoramic and sunroofs (light bulbs excluded). Helvetia also covers processing costs for replacement vignette after a covered glass damage event. If contracted, a reduced deductible of EUR 70 applies; for small glass items (headlights, indicators, mirror glass) and repairs by special resin process, no deductible applies.
SourceNatural Perils
Covered
Covers direct damage caused by lightning, rockfall, landslide, avalanche, snow pressure, hail, flooding, mudslides, storm (wind speed exceeding 60 km/h), and objects thrown against the vehicle by these forces. Also covers damage caused by ice formations and snow masses falling from buildings (roof avalanches). Fire and explosion are separately listed but also covered.
SourceVandalism
Covered
Covers malicious or wilful acts of damage by third parties (persons other than those authorised to use the vehicle), including damage to a stationary or parked vehicle caused by an unknown motor vehicle. Police report within 12 hours of the incident is required.
SourceRoadside Assistance / Breakdown Service
Optional
Roadside assistance is not included in the standard casco product. It is available as an optional Assistance package add-on covering breakdown help, towing, and organisation of a replacement vehicle. The 24/7 claims service is available for all insured customers.
SourceReplacement Vehicle
Conditional
A free replacement vehicle (Corsa/Polo/Smart class) is provided for the duration of the repair when the partner workshop service (Werkstattservice) is selected. This is not available under a standard free workshop choice. The workshop service must be activated, and Helvetia's instructions must be obtained prior to any repair assignment.
SourceDriver / Occupant Accident Insurance
Optional
Driver and occupant accident insurance (Insassenunfallversicherung / Lenkerschutzversicherung) is not part of the standard casco product. It is available as an optional add-on covering the driver and passengers for invalidity benefits, death benefits, daily allowance and medical costs arising from a traffic accident regardless of fault.
SourceKey conditions
driver_age_experience_limit
Drivers under the age of 24 require a separate enquiry (anfragepflichtig) for the casco product. No minimum age is explicitly stated in the general terms (AVBK 2020), but the driver must at all times hold the legally required driving licence for the vehicle type. This applies even when driving on private ground.
repair_network_requirements
When the partner workshop service (Werkstattservice) has been selected, the insured must obtain Helvetia's prior authorisation before commissioning any repair or disposing of the damaged vehicle. Partner workshops are TÜV/DEKRA-certified specialists using original spare parts with a 6-year guarantee on bodywork and paintwork. Failure to obtain prior authorisation may result in reduced benefits. Under free workshop choice, no restriction applies but Helvetia's advance consent is still required before repair.
territorial_scope
Coverage applies throughout geographical Europe (excluding the Asian part of Turkey), and in any case in all EU and EEA member states as well as Andorra, Switzerland and Serbia, pursuant to the multilateral guarantee agreement of 30 May 2002. Coverage is not interrupted during water transport (ferry) provided both loading and unloading ports are within the territorial scope.
anti_theft_requirements
For coverage of stolen items stored in the vehicle (personal belongings), the vehicle must be locked and the items must be stored invisibly in a locked boot/load compartment or in a closed glove compartment or centre armrest compartment. Items too large to be stored as specified are covered if kept inside the locked vehicle. Electronic items must be invisible from outside.
claim_notification_deadline
The insured must notify Helvetia of the loss event within one week of gaining knowledge of it, with as precise a description as possible. Any related administrative or judicial proceedings must also be reported. For damage caused by theft, embezzlement, robbery, unauthorised use, fire, explosion, animals, an unknown vehicle, or vandalism, the driver must report the incident to the nearest police station within 12 hours.
deductible_rules
A deductible (Selbstbehalt) is agreed per vehicle and per claim at the amount specified in the policy. For full casco (Vollkasko), selectable deductible options are EUR 290, 350, 450, 750 or 1,500; the insured may choose a restricted deductible (applying only to accidents, parking damage, vandalism and glass) or a general deductible. For partial casco with vandalism and parking damage, a restricted deductible of EUR 290 applies; for pure elemental partial casco a deductible of EUR 140 applies only to glass breakage. If the glass damage deductible option is contracted, a flat EUR 70 applies; no deductible for small glass parts or resin repairs.
Where to buy
Policy specifics
Sport and Leisure Equipment Package
Optional bundled benefit covering personal sports equipment and electronic devices stored in vehicle during break-in or theft of entire vehicle
Gross Negligence Coverage
Optional add-on in elevated (gehoben) and exclusive (exklusiv) variants covering claims arising from gross negligence by the insured
New Value Compensation Clause
Optional feature in exclusive (exklusiv) variant providing full purchase price reimbursement for total loss within first 6 months
Partner Workshop Network Service
Service component offering access to certified TÜV/DEKRA partner workshops using only original spare parts with 6-year guarantee on paint/body work
Self-Retention / Deductible
Customizable out-of-pocket amount for each claim; higher deductible reduces annual premium
Winter Tire Condition
In Austria, situational winter tire requirement applies: driving on summer tires in winter conditions may trigger casco coverage reduction
Proportionate Indemnification for Gross Negligence
Under Austrian law, proportionate compensation based on degree of insured's culpability applies to all casco contracts