SUVA (Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund)
SUVA is the largest provider of mandatory accident insurance in Switzerland, insuring in particular businesses in the trade and industrial sectors.
Concept
The Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund (Schweizerische Unfallversicherungsanstalt, SUVA) is an independent public-law institution and the largest provider of mandatory accident insurance under the UVG in Switzerland. By law, it insures in particular businesses in the trade and industrial sectors (including construction, metal and machinery industries, and transport) as well as the federal administration; for all other businesses, employers may choose between SUVA and private UVG insurers, unless they are already subject to mandatory SUVA coverage.
Organisation and Functions
SUVA is jointly administered by representatives of employers, employees, and the federal government, and is self-financing through risk-based premiums differentiated by industry and business type. In addition to claims handling and pension benefits, SUVA carries out active prevention work against occupational accidents and diseases and operates its own rehabilitation clinics.
Relevance for Insurance Practice
Businesses subject to mandatory SUVA coverage have no choice of UVG insurer; classifying a business (subject to SUVA or not) and its industry-specific premium rating are of considerable practical relevance for corporate insurance advisory work, particularly for mixed businesses with several areas of activity.