Life: FAQ

For every average invested assets of CHF 10'000, VIAC Life will provide you with free base protection coverage against disability (at least 70% disability degree) or death with a value of CHF 2'500. Thanks to this base protection, you or your beneficiaries will receive up to 25% in addition to your already saved pension assets in the event of a claim. Best of all, if you have a vested benefits account with VIAC in addition to your 3a, you will also receive free base protection there from VIAC Life.

You can find out how high your free base protection is in the VIAC Mobile App or the web version on your PC/tablet under the product "Life".

Yes, the VIAC base protection is free and will always remain free. VIAC has grown very successfully in recent years and would like to give something back to VIAC customers with this free additional service.

To get a (higher) base protection, you can transfer existing 3a assets to VIAC or, if possible, deposit the annual 3a maximum with VIAC. In this way you can reach the limit of CHF 10'000 invested assets faster and benefit from free base protection. The following table shows you an overview of the base protection coverage in relation to the assets invested in securities:

¹To extend coverage from CHF 100'000 up to CHF 250'000, three health questions must be completed.

The base protection is calculated on the average invested assets of the previous month. For every CHF 10'000 of assets invested in securities, VIAC Life will provide you with free base protection against disability or death in the value of CHF 2'500.

By default you are insured against the risk of disability. You can change the protection to death in the app or the web version on PC/tablet under the product "Life". Regardless of the selected risk, the base protection is valid for both illness and accident.

The first change from death to disability risk coverage can be made at any time. We want to offer you as much flexibility as possible. After that, a new change is only possible in 12 months.

This ensures that the base protection is effectively paid out when a damage event occurs. If no health check were carried out, a payment could be refused due to pre-existing conditions.

You can adjust the base protection in the VIAC Mobile App or the web version on PC/Tablet under the product "Life". The first adjustment of the base protection from disability to death becomes active in the following month. A new change of your base protection can only be implemented again after 12 months.

If your base protection coverage exceeds CHF 100'000, you will be asked to answer 3 health questions. After a successful examination, the maximum coverage of the free base protection coverage will be extended up to CHF 250'000. If you do not answer the questions or the health check is negative, the free base protection will remain at a maximum of CHF 100'000.

Helvetia Swiss Life Insurance Company Ltd is the insurance partner of VIAC. In the event of a claim, the insurance benefit is paid out by VIAC.

We will be happy to support you with the next steps in order to check a possible claim for benefits at VIAC. Please contact us via VIAC hotline or e-mail so that we can send you the necessary forms.

Contact:
Terzo Pension Foundation / Vested Benefits Foundation of WIR Bank
Team VIAC
Auberg 1
4002 Basel
Phone: 0800 80 40 40
Email: support@viac.ch

VIAC Life "Plus" is an optional protection against the risks of death or disability due to illness or accident. For each risk (death or disability), a single lump-sum benefit can be selected between CHF 50'000 and a maximum of CHF 300'000.

No. A separate invoice amount will be issued for the optional coverage and will not be debited from your Pillar 3a / vested benefits account.

The risk coverage is valid for one year (=one insurance period) and is automatically extended by one year - unless you have cancelled the coverage.

The invoice amount for the risk coverage(s) is paid by credit card. You will pay for the first coverage period (1 year) when you conclude the coverage. The following invoices will be paid 2 weeks before the end of the respective insurance period by charging your credit card.

The amount for the risk coverage(s) is age-dependent and is recalculated each year based on the mortality / disability risk. This risk-based design has the advantage over the classic models with average premiums that the coverage is constantly adjustable and flexible. This means that you can increase, reduce or cancel the coverage(s) at any time without having to accept a loss of overpaid premium.

You are entitled to disability benefits if you are unable to work as a result of an illness or accident and become at least 40% disabled. The benefits are adjusted depending on the degree of disability:

The coverage is always paid out in the form of a one-time lump-sum benefit. Annuity benefits are not offered with VIAC Life "Plus" coverage.

You can increase or reduce your risk coverage(s) at any time in the desktop app under the VIAC Life product:

• When increasing coverage, it is mandatory that you answer the risk questions. After a positive risk assessment and full payment of the invoice amount by credit card, the increased coverage is valid for another year from the next day of the application. Important: Your coverage increase will only be activated with your full payment of the invoice amount. As long as the invoice amount is outstanding, you are covered at the current coverage level.
• You can reduce your coverage without a risk assessment. The reduced coverage is valid for another year from the day following the application. Any existing invoice credit for the existing coverage level will be deducted from the new invoice.

Coverage adjustments that result in a credit will be refunded to you via your personal bank account after deduction of a processing fee of 1.1% (due to the incurred credit card fees).

You can terminate the risk coverage(s) at any time and without notice periods in the desktop app under the VIAC Life product. After successful termination, the coverage ends upon expiration of the current coverage.

Yes, you can cancel the risk insurance(s) within 14 days after conclusion. The already paid invoice amount will be fully refunded minus a processing fee of 1.1%. The insurance coverage is retroactively inactive from the start of the coverage. After 14 days, a cancellation is no longer possible.

Helvetia Swiss Life Insurance Company Ltd. is the insurance partner of VIAC. In the event of a claim, the coverage will be paid out by VIAC.

Yes, you can designate third parties as beneficiaries for the insured death benefit. You can find the corresponding form here. You can send us the form in writing to the following address:

VIAC Services AG
Innere Margarethenstrasse 2
4051 Basel
Phone: 0800 80 40 40
Mail: support@viac.ch

The coverage is valid from the next day of the payment of the invoice amount. That means with the successful debit of the credit card, the coverage is valid on the next day of the application.

The risk coverage is useful in many life situations, especially if you want to cover your living expenses in the event of disability, or if you want to provide financial support for your loved ones in the event of a stroke of fate.

Families with children: Benefits from old-age and survivor's insurance (OASI) and occupational pension plans are rarely sufficient for the surviving parent in the event of disability or death. To maintain the current standard of living, it is suitable to have a coverage.

Cohabiting couples: Your partner is often poorly covered in the event of a stroke of fate. Especially if you generate the greater part of the income. In addition, unmarried couples do not receive any widow's or widower's pension from the OASI.

Homeowners: Death coverage can be used to secure your mortgage. Without such coverage, it may force families to give up the apartment or house. Family members can use the lump-sum death benefit to service the current mortgage, or pay it off entirely

Self-employed: As a self-employed person, you can secure the future of the business in the worst-case scenario. You can appoint business partners or other important key employees as beneficiaries.