Rental deposit insurance: comparing providers in Switzerland
With rental deposit insurance (a rental deposit guarantee), you do not have to lock up the deposit amount in a bank account. In return, you pay a premium that you never get back. The overview below shows the published conditions of selected providers in Switzerland. Besides the premium, also compare fees, discounts and the conditions for switching to a rental deposit account later.
SwissCaution, Firstcaution and goCaution at a glance. The table shows the providers' differing price statements; no single cheapest provider can be derived from them. The exact premium depends on the deposit amount and is calculated in the provider's premium calculator.
| Provider | Annual premium (provider's own figures) | Discounts |
|---|---|---|
| SwissCaution | Premium via calculator based on the deposit amount, plus federal stamp duty | Loyalty discount of 10/20/30% after 2/3/4 completed contract years; youth discount of 10% under 26 (can be combined) |
| Firstcaution | From the 2nd year: 5% of the guarantee amount + CHF 20 (often a promotional price in the 1st year) | 5% online discount (details from the provider) |
| goCaution | From CHF 94.50 per year (depending on the deposit amount) | — |
| For comparison: rental deposit account (bank) | No premium — the money remains your property and earns interest, but is blocked | — |
Compare the offers for the same deposit amount and the same contract start date. Take into account the first-year premium, the follow-up premiums and all stated duties and fees. An introductory price alone does not show which offer is cheapest for your situation.
As of September 9, 2026, according to the providers' publicly published figures; the federal stamp duty is sometimes added to the premium. Premiums and promotions change — the provider's current offer is always what counts.
How to compare the total costs
- Total costs: Compare the sum of premiums and fees over your expected tenancy. Premiums already paid are not refunded.
- First-year promotions: Factor in both the promotional price and the regular premiums of the following years.
- Recourse in a claim: The insurer pays the landlord — and then reclaims the amount from you, sometimes with a processing fee on top.
- Switching to a rental deposit account: Check which documents and releases the provider requires to end the contract.
Rental deposit account, insurance or bank guarantee?
Besides the deposit account and rental deposit insurance, Switzerland has a third option: the bank guarantee. Here, your bank vouches for the deposit amount towards the landlord or property manager — you do not park any money in a blocked account, but you pay an annual fee instead. In comparison:
- Rental deposit account: no recurring premium — the money is tied up, but remains your property and earns interest.
- Bank guarantee: the annual fee varies by bank; the bank requires a credit check and sometimes collateral. Compare the conditions with the insurance premium before signing.
- Rental deposit insurance: ongoing premiums with no refund — and in a claim, you still have to repay the amount.
If you can raise the capital, the classic deposit account is usually your best option. If a private loan from family or friends is a possibility, compare its costs and repayment terms as well.
How does the rental deposit work?
In Switzerland, it is standard for the landlord to require a deposit (rental deposit or "Mietkaution") of 1-3 months' rent. The deposit is placed in a blocked bank account in your name. It serves as security for justified claims arising from the tenancy. The landlord cannot freely access the money — the bank pays it out once the conditions for release are met.
What happens in a claim?
Rental deposit insurance provides the agreed security towards the landlord. In return, you pay an annual premium that is not refunded — depending on the deposit amount, usually 100-300 francs per year. If the provider pays a claim to the landlord, it then reclaims the amount from you. Rental deposit insurance therefore does not release you from justified claims arising from the tenancy.
What you should know:
- Rental deposit insurance does not permanently cover damage to the property — the tenant bears the costs.
- On top of the damage, the provider may charge a processing fee, which can be up to CHF 500.
Frequently asked questions about the rental deposit
What alternatives are there to the rental deposit account?
In this article, we compare the rental deposit account with rental deposit insurance and the bank guarantee. Before signing, check which form of security your landlord accepts and what costs and conditions the specific offer includes.
