www.comparis.ch

full of knowledge as always   gracias

There are many variables, it's best to work with a broker that works with any company, then they can compare and get additional discounts. I can hook you up with mine.

Cheers Catalin! Please hook me up as don't want to be ripped off either!

What I can tell you, that one of the expensive part is the "parking..damage" insurance...

I really love my car.. really... but I didn't take this additional point... I try to take care... looking for parking places far away from other cars.. etc..

And you really need to be careful. I made a contract for a Skoda Superb 2.5Liter TDI..in everything very expensive.. and a colleague bought a Mercedes A class with ~115HP and she got from the same insurance an offer with a much higher rate...

Than she asked the insurance why my expensive car is cheaper than her little A class... and...it's magic... the rate dropped down and now her car is much cheaper...

You really can't trust...

Thanks for all the info everyone, I guess there are so many choices and deals!

But yes they are brokers, sales people who will try to sell you anything, will let you know how I go.

Never trust an insurance broker..

Go with Charlie's advice, and go to Comparis.ch. I've never used their site but if they're the same as other online brokers you can just fill in their form (about yourself, your car, and your driving history), and they will give you a list of prices from various providers. After that you are insured by that provider (not comparis); Comparis just gets a commission for signing you up.

I've worked for an online broker myself (as commercial manager), and here are some tips:

* Decide on the level of insurance you want: for all damages or just liability, and the height of the deductable (the amount you pay yourself when you get damage). Some additional things are worth taking into account, such as insurance for legal fees, theft, towing costs and vehicle rent. 

* Unfortunately comparis probably won't give you this information. I'm not sure how this all work in Switzerland. This may in fact be a reason to look for a broker. 

* There's nothing wrong with brokers. They get a commission but you're not paying extra (i.e. it goes from the insurance company's cut). Online brokers can compare prices between different insurers while offline/local brokers are normally affiliated with one or a few companies only. 

* Don't try to decipher the terms of the insurance contract; even experts can't tell you the difference between different insurers in terms of coverage. Once you decide on the level of insurance (see above) you can go with any provider that offers a good price.

* It's up to you if you want to go with a well-known insurer or with a cheap one. The difference in price is partly because of branding (which you shouldn't care about), and partly because of service level (which may be relevant to you for example if you prefer personal contact with an advisor). 

If you are interested, I cam pm you the details of my broker (he has english-speaking staff). The rates are excellent and their service is great.

Yes please, any help is appreciated! Thankyou!!

PMed you.

Woww thanks a lot Edward! You've explained very well, seems you are quite the expert!

I was quoted chf 1200 pa by the insurance bloke who the previous owner had and I was convinced I could get cheaper.

Is it also dependent on personal circumstances i.e. points on license, age,(dare I say it)- sex, canton etc? I've never had a car here...evidentally!

I know I can probably check on the internet but since we are on the subject..do you know where the place to go for the plates is in vaud, what it's called?

Car insurance is one element, quotes also include "responsabilité civile".

There are no points on licenses in Switzerland.

Service des automobiles et de la navigation, 110, av. Grey, Lausanne: http://www.vd.ch/themes/mobilite/automobile/

Merci merci merci!!!! I don't feel so lost anymore :-)

ems the car registration and plates can be done by the garage if you buy from them, if not take the carte gris to the SAN in nyon... theyll issue you with plates and a new carte gris...

also I assume you have a swiss lisene not a uk one... otherwise you can change the lisence there too, but they send the UK one back ...

But you'll need your insurance certificate (attestation d'assurance) to get the car registration and plates.

Yep got a Swiss license years ago, so that's all good.

Bought it privately so will have to do it all myself..guess I can't drive to the SAN..

ahh yes good point..bloody hell it's complicated

owe you all a beer..or a spin!

the insurance co ...once you agree with them...can fax the attestation of insursance to your local number plates office... so when you go you only need the carte gris and driving lisence and ID... or as Andrei says the insurance doc as well if you can wait for the post etc ...

In order to get the plates, since you have the car already, the insurance company will deliver you (or send the SAN directly) an attestation d'assurance. You'll have to go there with the cancelled "permis de circulation" and your ID to get a new "permis de circulation" in your name and your plates.

That's it.

Allianz Suisse is winning at the moment..

SAN has an office in Nyon.   You can take the NSTCM train to L'Asse and walk over.