World · Europe · 9 hrs ago
Swiss home burglaries rise as average losses reach record high
In Switzerland, AXA recorded 4% more home burglaries in 2025 than in the previous year among the households it insures.
The insurer paid out more than 22 million francs for break-ins, and the average loss topped 7,000 francs, a record.
From October to March, burglaries are 45% more frequent than during the summer half of the year.
December is the worst month, and break-ins on December 24 and 31 are more than twice as common as on an average day.
Geneva has the highest reported rate, with 8.4 burglaries a year per 1,000 households, compared with 3.3 across Switzerland.
AXA says the rising costs reflect more valuable belongings, higher prices and more expensive cases; it believes some may involve organised, professional criminals.
AXA advises locking doors and windows, watching out for neighbours and using light timers to make homes appear occupied.
AXA recorded 4% more burglaries in 2025 than in 2024 among its insured households in Switzerland.
The insurer paid more than 22 million francs for burglary claims, up 9% in a year and 60% from 2022.
The average loss per burglary exceeded 7,000 francs, a record and 30% higher than in 2022.
Burglary rates are 45% higher from October to March than during the summer half-year, with December the riskiest month.
AXA points to more expensive possessions, higher prices and larger claims as reasons for rising losses, while saying the data do not explain why burglaries have increased.
- Who
- AXA, Switzerland’s largest property insurer, reported the figures.
- What
- Burglaries among AXA-insured households rose, and the average claim reached a record high.
- When
- The figures cover 2025 and were published on 22 October 2026.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- AXA cites more expensive possessions, higher prices and more high-value claims as factors in rising costs. It says its data do not reveal why burglaries have increased.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
AXA has observed a year-on-year upward trend in burglaries.
AXA recorded about twice as many claims involving losses above 30,000 francs each year as in previous years.
Burglaries among AXA-insured households rose 4% from the previous year, and the average loss exceeded 7,000 francs.
AXA’s figures were reported in the Swiss news articles.
- Burglaries in 2025
- 4% increase from 2024 among AXA-insured households
- Total claims paid
- More than 22 million francs in 2025
- Average loss
- More than 7,000 francs per burglary in 2025
- Seasonal difference
- 45% more burglaries from October to March than in the summer half-year
- Geneva rate
- 8.4 burglaries per 1,000 households annually, averaged over 2019–2025
- National rate
- 3.3 burglaries per 1,000 households annually, averaged over 2019–2025
3 sources
What people are saying
The data available to us do not reveal why burglaries have increased.
Crimes this complex require organised structures.
During the holidays, when many people are away on vacation or visiting relatives, thieves have free rein.
Doors must always be locked, even when you are away for a short time, and the same applies to windows, not only during the day but also at night.