Handling Fees
Handling Fees NGF
Claims are handled by member companies in the name of the NGF. Handlers are entitled to be compensated with a handling fee. At the same time, handling fees do not have any effect on payments to victims. The following regulation for the handling of claims in the name of the NGF was introduced in 2009 and has been amended in 2012. It applies to all pending cases as per 1 May 2012.
All the above mentioned fees are subject to a V.A.T. of 8.1%.
| Normal and special cases | Recovery cases | Ceded cases | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate | 15% | 15% | CHF 200 |
| Minimum fee | CHF 450 | CHF 450 | CHF 200 |
| Maximum fee | CHF 25'000 | CHF 10'000 | CHF 200 |
Normal case
| Indemnification | Handling fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| up to | CHF 3'000 | Minimum fee | CHF 450 |
| from | CHF 3'000 | ||
| up to | CHF 166'667 | Rate | 15% |
| from | CHF 166'667 | Maximum fee | CHF 25'000 |
Normal case
Normal cases (compensation of a road traffic victim in the name of the NGF) entitle handlers to be compensated with a handling fee corresponding to 15% of the total of the compensation paid to the victim. The minimum amount is CHF 450 and the maximum CHF 25’000.
Ceded case
| Indemnification | Handling fee |
|---|---|
| any amount | CHF 200 |
Ceded case
Cases ceded to other handlers by Swiss Interclaims Zurich (namely in case of a conflict of interests) are charged CHF 200 to the NGF.
Recovery case
| Indemnification | Handling fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| up to | CHF 3'000 | Minimum fee | CHF 450 |
| from | CHF 3'000 | ||
| up to | CHF 66'667 | Rate | 15% |
| over | CHF 66'667 | Maximum fee | CHF 10'000 |
Recovery case
Recovery cases handled in the name of the NGF entitle the handler to be compensated with a supplementary handling fee, which is corresponding to 15% of the total of the recovered amount. The minimum amount is CHF 450 and the maximum CHF 10’000. When a recourse was not successful but substantial efforts were made, the handler is entitled to be compensated with the minimum handling fee.
Special case
| Handling fee | |
|---|---|
| CHF 450 | Minimum fee |
| CHF 160 | Fee per hour |
| CHF 25'000 | Maximum fee |
Special case
When no compensation was paid to the claimant, but substantial efforts were made, for example because the liability could be denied, the handler is compensated with a minimum fee of CHF 450. If all the efforts cannot be covered by this minimum fee (according to an hourly rate of CHF 160), the handler can charge supplementary costs. In any case, the maximum fee shall not exceed CHF 25’000. The supplementary efforts shall be listed in a transparent and comprehensible bill. The bill must contain a valid claims reference and a short explanation. A copy of the bill has to be sent to the Secretariat general of the NBI and the NGF.
Handling Fees NBI
Comparative table in CHF (non binding)
| Rates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Effective as of | 1.2.2023 | |
| Exchange rate: | 1 EURO | 0.9373 CHF (as of 03.09.2025) |
| Rate: | 15% | |
| Minimum fee: | EURO 200* | CHF 187.46 |
| Maximum fee: | EURO 3500* | CHF 3'280.55 |
* General Assembly of the Council of Bureaux of 14-15 June 2001 in Andorra.
| Expressed in payments: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| up to | CHF 1'249.73 | Minimum fee | CHF 187.46** |
| from | CHF 1'249.73 | ||
| up to | CHF 21'870.33 | Rate | 15%** |
| from | CHF 21'870.33 | Maximum fee | CHF 3'280.55** |
** Die Gebühren in CHF sind unverbindlich.
General provisions
Handling fees between CoB members
The handling fee applicable in the relations between bureaux is calculated in accordance with the rules approved by the Council of Bureaux during the General Assembly 2001 in Andorra: The handling fee is calculated at a rate of 15% of the sums paid as compensation to the injured parties per accident, with a minimum of EUR 200.00 an a maximum of EUR 3’500.00.
The handling fee is payable in the country and in the national currency of the handling bureau or, at the latter’s option, in Euro. Bureaux that do not emit their demands for reimbursement in EURO shall apply the current exchange rate in order to determine the minimum and maximum handling fees.
Handling fees applicable between correspondents and foreign insurers
The Swiss correspondent is free to agree with the insurer that requested its approval the method for calculating its handling fees. However, this rate shall not be enforceable against any Bureau.
Basic principles for CoB members
The claims handling fee covers all the expenses which are incurred by the handling bureau arising from an accident (accident = loss, regardless of the number of claims or the number of injured parties). The guaranteeing bureau can be separately charged for external expenses such as bank charges, consultancy fees, etc. Internal expenses incurred by the handling bureau settling the claims are not considered to be external expenses in this context.
The handling bureau is entitled to levy the handling fee even if the claim announced was settled without any payment.