Insurance for Holiday Apartments: How to Protect Your Property in Simmental and Saanenland

When the snow melts in Simmental and Saanenland and the first crocuses sprout in the meadows around Zweisimmen and Lauenen, a busy time begins for holiday apartment owners. The winter season is over, the Easter holidays are just around the corner, and preparations for the upcoming hiking season are in full swing.

But while we look forward to spring cleaning and the first guests, an essential question arises: Is your holiday property sufficiently insured. A pipe burst due to frost damage after the snowmelt in St. Stephan or a mishap by a holiday guest in Gstaad can quickly become expensive. In this article, you will learn which insurance coverage truly counts for your property in our region.

Why Insurance Coverage is Particularly Important in Spring

The transition from winter to spring is a critical phase in the mountains. In places like Lenk or Saanenmöser, frost often still prevails while the sun is already warming up significantly.

• Snowmelt and Moisture: When the large masses of snow in Boltigen or Oberwil melt, the risk of water damage due to backwater or penetrating moisture increases.
• Preparation for Rental: Before the summer season begins, all policies should be checked to ensure coverage during occupancy over the Easter holidays.

The Important Insurances for Holiday Home Owners

1. Building Insurance (Mandatory & Supplementary)

In Switzerland, cantonal building insurance is usually mandatory and covers damage caused by fire and natural hazards (flooding, storms, hail). But beware: especially in exposed locations such as Schönried or Feutersoey, supplementary insurance can be beneficial, for example against water damage from pipes or glass breakage.

2. Building Liability Insurance

As an owner, you are liable for damage caused by the condition of your building. A loose tile falling onto a parked car after a storm in Därstetten, or a slippery forecourt in Weissenburg, can lead to significant liability claims. For owners of holiday homes, this insurance is highly advisable.

3. Household Contents Insurance for Second Homes

The contents of your apartment – from the valuable designer sofa in the luxury suite in Gstaad to the kitchen equipment in the cozy chalet in Grund – must be insured separately. Ensure that the protection also applies during temporary rental to holiday guests. Special attention should be paid to "simple theft away from home" if you provide equipment such as e-bikes for your guests.

Special Case: Renting to Holiday Guests

Anyone renting out their apartment via platforms or locally in Saanenland should check whether their private liability also covers commercial (or semi-professional) rentals.

• Damage by Guests: Not every insurance pays if a guest damages the parquet flooring in a holiday apartment in Erlenbach.
• Loss of Income: If the apartment cannot be rented out during the high season in summer following water damage, loss of income insurance protects against financial loss.

Safety through Prevention: The Spring Check

In addition to the right insurance coverage, prevention is a good protection. A thorough spring cleaning is an opportune moment to put the property through its paces:

1. Roof and Gutters: After the winter in Saanen, check if tiles are loose or if gutters have been blocked by leaves and ice.

2. Water Pipes: Check all connections, especially if the apartment stood empty over the winter in Lauenen or St. Stephan.

3. Security Systems: Are the smoke detectors working. Do the locks move smoothly.

Picobello Reinigungen: Your Local Partner

A well-maintained property is less prone to damage. We at Picobello Reinigungen know the Simmental and Saanenland well. While we take care of the professional spring cleaning of your property between Lenk and Gstaad, we always keep an eye out for potential defects.

A clean drain, a checked terrace, or simply a regular presence in the apartment can help identify damage early before it becomes a case for the insurance company.

Start the hiking season worry-free. Contact us for a non-binding quote for your spring cleaning or regular holiday apartment cleaning. We ensure that your guests find well-kept accommodation in Zweisimmen, Schönried, or Boltigen – so you can relax.

Picobello Reinigungen – We bring brilliance to your mountain paradise.