The need for legal protection insurance has more than doubled in the last five years, according to the latest survey by Generali Switzerland. More and more people are embroiled in legal matters and seeking security and support from experts through their legal protection insurance.
LEGAL PROTECTION INSURANCE IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT
Improved security, improved support, improved knowledge: the needs of people in Switzerland with regard to legal issues have changed significantly in recent years. The number of people needing legal support has increased dramatically – especially when it comes to areas such as health and transport. What other legal issues preoccupy people in Switzerland? Why do they need personal legal protection insurance and what assistance do they expect?
Generali Switzerland aimed to answer these questions in its latest survey, which it conducted together with its subsidiary, Fortuna Legal Protection Insurance. Respondents included 1,000 people aged between 18 and 67 who make insurance decisions in their households. The survey was conducted by ValueQuest.
Of particular note: the need for legal support has risen by 60%
There is a surprisingly sharp rise in the number of people needing legal support from a lawyer or legal advice. Depending on the topic, this number has risen by over 60 per cent in the last five years. The strongest increase in the need for legal support was particularly evident regarding “family” (+ 73%), “transport” (+56%) and “health” (+52%).
Roman Clavadetscher, CEO of Fortuna Legal Protection, is also aware of this trend: “In our day-to-day work, we’re noticing that the Swiss are increasingly having to grapple with legal issues. As of the end of October 2023, registered claims had increased by 10 per cent compared to the previous year.”
Up to 90 per cent of respondents say that when issues occur, they first take action themselves, search the internet or seek legal advice privately. They most frequently engage a lawyer if they have issues with their employer.
Those affected: young people are most frequently involved in legal cases
“Why do I need personal legal protection insurance – nothing will happen to me!” This survey reveals that this statement is often incorrect because overall, half of respondents have been embroiled in legal matters in recent years. The most commonly affected areas were “employment” (20%), “housing and construction” (19%) and “family” (16%). In terms of age, people aged between 25 and 34 were most frequently involved in legal cases.
Cautious: the Swiss want to prevent escalation
Receiving support in the worst-case scenario: around one in four people say they have obtained information about legal protection insurance in Switzerland within the last six months. In the case of young families, this figure is more than 40 per cent.
Preventive legal advice and telephone information are particularly important to respondents across all age groups. This means that they seek expert advice before a situation escalates. When resolving these legal issues, however, there is little difference between people who have legal protection insurance and those who don’t. Nevertheless, people who take out such cover proceed with caution and don’t pursue legal avenues for every little thing.
Well-known: Fortuna Legal Protection Insurance
A third of the 1,000 respondents were aware of Fortuna Legal Protection Insurance and those who already have this cover have been loyal customers for many years. In French-speaking Switzerland, Fortuna is the second most well-known insurance provider.
ABOUT FORTUNA LEGAL PROTECTION INSURANCE
Fortuna Legal Protection Insurance – a subsidiary of Generali Switzerland – has been helping customers to access justice for 50 years. During this time, it has grown significantly and now applies the expertise and experience of over 100 employees in 31 branches of law.
