The website www.comparis.ch is a good place to start your research. 

The basic insurance is called "responsibilité civile." 

http://en.comparis.ch/hausrat-versicherung/default.aspx

http://en.comparis.ch/hausrat-versicherung/info/glossar/grundmerkmale-hausratversicherungsprodukte.aspx

Hello,

Yes a house hold insurance is mandatory if you rent a apartment, the regie or the house owner will ask you to show you this when you sign the lease contract normally.

If you want feel free to contact us, my partners are independent insurance brokers and they can give you a offer from serveral insurance companies..

Regards,

Raymond

You all are confusing apples and oranges. "Responsabilite civile" protects you from the damage you inflict to others ie you flood the house (damage to the owner) or you during a fight with your wife you throw a plate out the window and hit somebody in the head (damage to the poor bastard). It's not mandatory but most regies will ask you if you have it when you rent an apartment.

The "household insurance" protects the goods in the house you live in from theft etc. It's absolutely optional and they are NOT the same thing.

Not confused at all and never wrote that the two are the same. If you are renting a house or apartment, you are required to carry RC.

Please also note that the type of insurance may vary from canton to canton. In Geneva, the occupant should agree for a private insurance and in the canton of Vaud there is a public entity which is responsible for the insurances covering the damage to the place of living (http://www.eca-vaud.ch/)

Usually the Personal Liability Insurance & the Household Content Insurance are sold in one package / policy

Ask also for the options like theft and glass. It will cost you about 30 Chf extra each but it covers you also for theft outside your home..