Safe into the Summer Season: Insurance Guide for Holiday Home Owners in Simmental and Saanenland

When the Snow Melts: Time for Safety and Prevention

Spring is arriving in the Bernese Oberland. While the last snowfields give way to the sun in Lenk and Saanenmöser, the Simmental and Saanenland are awakening to new life. For owners of holiday apartments in places like Gstaad, Zweisimmen, or Lauenen, this time means much more than just classic spring cleaning. It is a moment to review your insurance concept.

Before the hiking season begins and the first guests set off towards Boltigen, St. Stephan, or Schönried for the Easter holidays, you should ensure that your property is covered against various eventualities. A holiday home is subject to different risks than a permanently occupied primary residence – especially during the vacant periods in the shoulder season of spring.

Important Insurances for Your Holiday Property

In Switzerland, and especially in the exposed locations of our Alpine valleys, solid insurance coverage is necessary. Here are the important components:

1. Building Insurance (Cantonal Building Insurance GVB)

In most cantons, including here in the Bernese region, building insurance against fire and natural hazards is compulsory. Especially in spring, when snowmelt causes streams to swell in regions like Weissenburg or Därstetten, or heavy spring thunderstorms move across the Saanenland, this protection is important. It covers damage caused by flooding, storms, hail, or snow pressure.

2. Building Liability Insurance

As the owner of a holiday home in Saanen or Erlenbach, you are liable for damage caused by the condition of your building. A loose roof tile falling onto a parked car after winter, or a slippery staircase during the freeze-thaw phase, can result in costs. For condominium owners, this is often included in the community insurance, but it is worth checking.

3. Household Contents Insurance for Holiday Homes

The contents of a holiday home are often valuable but are not monitored daily. Special household insurance covers theft, fire, and water damage to your furnishings. Make sure that "simple theft away from home" or damage caused by guests (if not covered by their private liability insurance) is also considered.

Special Considerations for Renting to Holiday Guests

If you regularly rent out your apartment in Feutersoey, Grund, or Oberwil to tourists, standard private liability insurance is often not sufficient.

• Tenant Damage: What happens if a guest damages the parquet flooring during Easter week or floods the kitchen?
• Loss of Income: If the apartment becomes uninhabitable due to water damage in the middle of the hiking season, loss of income insurance replaces the lost rental revenue.
• Legal Protection: Disputes with tenants or neighbors can occur. Specialized legal protection for property owners provides support.

Tips for the Spring Check in the Bernese Oberland

Parallel to insurance coverage, the physical inspection of your property in spring is important. Go through the following points before handing over the keys to the first spring guests:

1. Seal Inspection: Check windows and doors after the winter in the Simmental.

2. Outdoor Area: Are the balcony drains in Gstaad free of leaves and needles.

3. Safety: Are the smoke detectors working. Have the fire extinguishers been serviced.

4. Prevention: A well-maintained property signals responsibility to insurance companies and reduces the risk of damage.

Why Cleanliness and Safety Go Hand in Hand

Professional spring cleaning is not just a matter of aesthetics. When professionals walk through your rooms in Lauenen or Zweisimmen, small defects are often noticed (a damp patch on the wall, a jamming lock) before they turn into an expensive insurance claim.

A clean, well-maintained property also attracts responsible tenants. Those who see that the apartment is cared for usually handle the inventory with more attention. In the long run, this helps you and can improve your claims statistics with the insurance company.

Conclusion: Start the Summer Season Prepared

Preparation for the summer season in the Simmental and Saanenland begins now. With the right mix of compulsory and supplementary insurance, as well as a thorough restoration of your property, you can look forward to the coming months with peace of mind. Use the time between the ski season and the summer peak to get everything in order.

Have you already made your holiday home ready for spring?

So that you can concentrate fully on the administrative and insurance aspects, we will take care of the cleaning for you. Picobello Reinigungen is your partner for professional spring cleaning and regular maintenance cleaning between Lenk and Gstaad.

We ensure that your property in Saanen, Schönried, or Boltigen is clean when the first hikers arrive. Contact us today for a non-binding offer.

Our service rates are CHF 62.50 to 80 per hour, excluding VAT. An order flat rate applies at CHF 15. Travel costs are CHF 0.80 per kilometer driven. Thanks to local cleaning staff, travel distances are usually short.