About this template
This template provides insurance companies and brokers with a structured, encrypted claim submission form. It guides claimants through the key information needed to lodge a claim — policy details, incident description, date and location, estimated loss, witnesses, and supporting documentation — ensuring completeness and protecting sensitive claim data.
What it collects
- Claimant identity and contact details
- Policy number and insured party
- Type of claim (property, liability, health, life, motor, etc.)
- Date, time and location of the incident
- Description of the incident and how it occurred
- Estimated amount of loss or damage
- Third parties involved and witnesses
- Whether a police or authority report was filed
- Supporting documents — photos, invoices, police report
- Claimant declaration and signature
Swiss Insurance Contract Act (VVG) and nFADP
Under the Swiss Insurance Contract Act (VVG), policyholders have a duty to notify the insurer of a claim promptly (Art. 38 VVG). Claim data is sensitive personal data subject to the nFADP. End-to-end encryption ensures claim details — which may include health, financial or third-party information — are protected from submission to processing.
How to use it
- 1
Use this template
Click 'Use template' to create a copy in your dashboard.
- 2
Customise for your insurance line
Add fields specific to the insurance type — vehicle registration for motor, treating physician for health, building address for property.
- 3
Share with policyholders
Link from your policyholder portal, website or embed in your claims handling emails.
Why insurers and brokers need a structured digital claims form
Insurance claims are high-stakes documents. An incomplete claim causes delays, follow-up correspondence, and frustrated policyholders. A claim that is well-documented from the start — structured fields, required information, and supporting files — moves to assessment faster, reducing average claims handling time.
For the claimant, a structured digital form ensures they provide everything needed in one go. For the insurer, it creates a consistent, structured data set for every claim — enabling workflow automation, faster triage and better claims analytics. For the broker, it provides a professional, branded interface that reflects well on the intermediary.
What a claims form should capture
- Policy identification — number, insured, insurer, product line
- Incident date and time — the notification clock starts from when the insurer learns of the event
- Incident description — what happened, how, and what was the cause
- Type and extent of damage or loss — structured categories enable fast triage
- Third parties — for liability claims and subrogation rights
- Police or authority report number — for theft, accident or criminal damage claims
- Documentation — photos at the scene are perishable evidence
- Claimant declaration — confirming accuracy and consent to investigation
Duty to notify under Art. 38 VVG
The policyholder's duty to notify (Anzeigepflicht / obligation de déclaration) exists under Art. 38 VVG — the insurer must be notified promptly when the insured event occurs. Failure to notify promptly can give the insurer the right to reduce or refuse the claim. A digital form with a clear submission timestamp gives both parties a documented record of when the notification was made.
Email claims vs structured digital claims forms
| Email / phone claims | Structured digital form | |
|---|---|---|
| Completeness | Claimants forget key details | Required fields ensure completeness |
| Timestamp | Informal, hard to prove | Server-timestamped record of notification |
| Document handling | Attachments in email, easy to lose | Secure attached upload, linked to claim record |
| Data protection | Claim details in unencrypted inboxes | Encrypted end-to-end from submission |
Frequently asked questions
What is the time limit for filing a claim in Switzerland?
Art. 46 VVG provides a two-year prescription period for insurance claims from the date the insured event occurred. However, specific policies and insurance lines may set shorter notification deadlines — always check the policy conditions. Filing promptly is always advisable.
Is claim data encrypted?
Yes. Claim data — including uploaded photos, police reports and invoices — is encrypted in the claimant's browser before submission. Only authorised claims handlers at your firm can access it.
Can I customise the form for different product lines?
Yes. The template can be duplicated and customised for each product line — motor, property, health, liability — with product-specific questions added to each version.
For more context, see our insurance use-case page, our guide to digital claims handling, and our comparison of Schweizerform with specialist insurance claims platforms.