GVZ closes 2025 with a positive result
GVZ Gebäudeversicherung Kanton Zürich can look back on a good claims year. The estimated total claims amount to CHF 49.6 million (previous year: CHF 51.4 million). At CHF 17.3 million (previous year: CHF 18.0 million), GVZ achieved a solid annual result. The profit is credited to the reserve fund, which is used to cover loss events.
In 2025, GVZ processed 1,834 claims (previous year: 2,666), of which 903 were fire claims and 931 were natural hazard claims. The estimated loss amount for fire damage increased due to several major and cost-intensive fires, although the number of fires decreased overall. At CHF 44.5 million, the loss amount was around CHF 7.0 million higher than in the previous year (previous year: CHF 37.3 million). There were no major storms last year, which is why the estimated loss amount for damage caused by natural hazards was comparatively low at CHF 5.1 million (previous year: CHF 14.2 million).
Gross premiums increased
Gross premiums rose by 1.3% year-on-year to CHF 134.1 million (previous year: CHF 132.4 million). At the same time, fire insurance premiums increased to CHF 51.1 million (previous year: CHF 50.4 million). This increase is related to the ongoing construction activity in the canton of Zurich and thus the increase in insurance capital. The fire protection levies included in the insurance premium are used to finance both preventive and defensive fire protection measures. This includes, for example, easing the financial burden on municipal fire departments and ensuring that fire departments in the canton of Zurich are reliably alerted.
Positive result
The return on the GVZ investment portfolio amounted to 6.0% in the reporting year (previous year: 8.0%). Overall, GVZ achieved a consolidated annual result of CHF 17.3 million (previous year: CHF 18.0 million). The profit is credited to the reserve fund, thanks to which GVZ has sufficient funds to cover financing requirements arising from loss events at all times.
Insurance index: Adapted to the market situation
To ensure that the insured value of buildings can be guaranteed without restriction and that the replacement value insurance of all buildings can be guaranteed, GVZ is guided by the annual Zurich index of residential construction prices (construction cost index). In the event of changes of more than plus/minus 5% compared to the last adjustment, GVZ adjusts its insurance index in accordance with the legal requirements (adjustment to the market situation). Housing prices have risen only moderately in the last two years, as a result of which the GVZ insurance index has remained unchanged at 1,190 points.
Many projects implemented
Last year, GVZ launched projects, continued to work on initiatives and completed many projects. The topic of sustainability was strategically driven forward. With the 2025 annual financial statements, GVZ presents the results of its second CO2-balance sheet. For the first time, it estimated the emissions avoided through prevention work. In order to enable Zurich's fire departments to continue to receive high-level, state-of-the-art training in the future, GVZ has begun building new training facilities at the Andelfingen training center. The purchase of an attractive residential development in Richterswil was an investment in the future. GVZ has taken over all tenancy agreements unchanged. This investment also stands for the stabilization of the investment portfolio and thus the insurance assets.
