Revised Accident Insurance Act in force from January 1
The revised UVG is intended to close gaps in coverage and prevent overcompensation. The Federal Council has now decided to bring the law and the associated ordinance (UVV) into force on January 1, 2017.
The UVG revision closes gaps in coverage, in particular by specifying the start and end dates of the insurance. It also regulates the problem of overcompensation by reducing pensions paid for life on reaching retirement age. This is intended to prevent a disabled person from being at a financial advantage over a person who has not suffered an accident. In addition, accident insurance for unemployed persons is anchored in the UVG and its implementation ordinance.
Special rules for asbestos victims
For insured persons suffering from an occupational disease in the form of asbestos-related mesothelioma, the entitlement to integrity compensation now arises at the time of diagnosis and no longer at the time the pension is determined. As asbestos-related diseases often only occur in retirement age and quickly lead to death, the UVG revision provides for a special regulation for these cases.
Limits for catastrophic events
Finally, the UVG revision introduces an amount limit per catastrophic event. In view of the fact that this limit could be exceeded and the insurers have to jointly finance the benefits in excess of the limit, they already have to set up a compensation fund. In the event of major incidents, this fund assumes the insurers' liability above a certain amount. The ordinance leaves the organization of the fund to the insurers.
According to the Federal Council, the Accident Insurance Act, which has been in force for over thirty years, has proven its worth. The financing of benefits is guaranteed. Therefore, only a few adjustments have been made that are recognized by all affected parties. The revision of the UVG and its ordinance improves the efficiency of accident insurance and ensures greater fairness.
At its meeting on November 9, 2016, the Federal Council therefore decided to bring the revision of the Accident Insurance Act (UVG) and the associated ordinance (UVV) into force on January 1, 2017. The Federal Assembly adopted the revision of the UVG in September 2015.
Source: Federal Council / FOPH
