Insurers as mortgage lenders
Insurers that grant mortgages, sometimes on different terms than banks, but with conditions of their own.
- 1
St. Gallen
Helvetia grants its own mortgages and also runs a comparison of over 100 providers under the MoneyPark brand. The fixed-rate mortgage runs for terms of 2 to 20 years, and both direct and indirect amortization are possible. First-time buyers get the Start mortgage, with a 0.25 percentage point discount on the rate for the first three years. The insurer is headquartered in St. Gallen.
- 2
Zürich
Swiss Life grants mortgages to private individuals and offers fixed-rate mortgages, SARON mortgages and variable mortgages. For energy-efficient properties certified Minergie or GEAK A and B, there's a green mortgage with better terms. With the Flex option, Swiss Life waives the prepayment penalty per tranche when the property is sold. Advice is free and non-binding, available in person, at home or by video.
- 3
Winterthur
AXA finances only owner-occupied homes and grants mortgages above a certain minimum amount. Customers can choose between a fixed-rate mortgage, a SARON mortgage and a variable mortgage, and the SARON option can switch into a fixed-rate mortgage free of charge every quarter. AXA offers a sustainability discount on part of the loan for climate-friendly measures such as renewable heating or better insulation. Interest is charged quarterly.
- 4
Basel
Baloise offers a fixed-rate mortgage, a SARON mortgage, a variable mortgage and a Time-Fix mortgage with a fixed five-year term. The online mortgage tool checks affordability and loan-to-value and, according to the provider, the whole process takes around 15 minutes. The Hypobonus can bring up to 0.30 percent off the interest rate, tiered by new business, additional insurance policies and an investment. The rate on a fixed-rate mortgage can be locked in up to 18 months in advance.
- 5
Wallisellen
Allianz Suisse helps private customers finance their own home and offers a fixed-rate mortgage, a variable mortgage and a SARON money-market mortgage. To take one out, the insurer requires at least 20 percent equity, of which at least 10 percent must come from savings or tied pension assets. Allianz calculates affordability using an imputed interest rate of 5 percent plus 1 percent for ancillary costs. A mortgage calculator is available on the website.
- 6
Zuerich
Zurich Insurance offers mortgages for private customers in Switzerland and combines lending with the group's broad insurance range. Fixed-rate mortgages and SARON mortgages are both available.
- 7
Adliswil
Generali grants mortgages in two models, a fixed-rate mortgage with terms of 2 to 10 years and a variable mortgage with no fixed term. The variable option adjusts to the market every quarter and can be cancelled with six months notice. Generali sets the interest rate on a risk-adjusted basis, individually by property and creditworthiness. The annual cost of interest, amortization and ancillary expenses may not exceed 33 percent of net income.
- 8
Lausanne
Vaudoise grants mortgage loans for a house or apartment at a fixed rate over terms of up to 15 years. Financing, indirect amortization and building insurance are all handled through a single point of contact. Borrowers can choose to repay directly, so the debt keeps shrinking, or indirectly through a life insurance policy with a tax advantage. The insurer operates around 100 general and local agencies, with a focus on French-speaking Switzerland.
- 9
Bern
Die Mobiliar arranges mortgages through its own mortgage network and handles them personally through the advisor at the general agency. The interest rate can be locked in up to 18 months before the existing mortgage falls due. Financing, pillar 3a pension savings and property insurance all come from one source. An online calculator shows, without obligation, what is possible.
- 10
Basel
Pax is a Basel-based life insurance company that offers mortgages for private customers, often combined with a life insurance component. Advice runs through agencies or in person on request.
- 11
Lausanne
Retraites Populaires is a pension and financial institution from the canton of Vaud that grants mortgage loans for buying a home, with a focus on French-speaking Switzerland. The interest rate can be reserved up to 12 months in advance, and no prepayment penalty applies. Energy-efficient properties qualify for a green bonus of 0.2 percent. People approaching or past retirement also get adjusted terms.
Frequently asked questions
Welche Hypothekarformen stehen bei Versicherungen üblicherweise zur Auswahl?
Die meisten Versicherer bieten eine Auswahl zwischen Festhypotheken mit verschiedenen Laufzeiten, SARON-Hypotheken und variablen Modellen an. Einige Anbieter ergänzen ihr Portfolio zudem um spezialisierte Optionen wie Geldmarkt-Hypotheken oder Time-Fix-Hypotheken.
Gibt es Besonderheiten bei der Kombination von Hypotheken und Versicherungen?
Ja, viele Versicherer verknüpfen die Finanzierung mit ihren bestehenden Dienstleistungen. So lassen sich Hypotheken oft direkt mit der Gebäudeversicherung oder lebensversicherungsbasierten Komponenten kombinieren.
Kann ich bei Versicherungen auch eine indirekte Amortisation wählen?
Das ist möglich, da einige Versicherer neben der reinen Kreditvergabe auch die indirekte Amortisation als Modell anbieten. Dies wird oft im Rahmen eines Gesamtpakets mit der Finanzierung und der Versicherung gelöst.
Bieten Versicherungen auch Vergünstigungen für nachhaltiges Bauen an?
Ja, bestimmte Anbieter gewähren Vorteile für energieeffiziente Liegenschaften, die beispielsweise nach Minergie oder den GEAK-Klassen A und B zertifiziert sind.
Wie unterscheidet sich die Beratung bei Versicherungen von klassischen Banken?
Die Beratung kann sehr unterschiedlich ablaufen. Während einige Versicherer die Abwicklung persönlich über Agenturen oder Berater vor Ort gestalten, bieten andere auch Online-Tools zur Prüfung von Tragbarkeit und Belehnung an.