Two insurance products, two questions
Travel or medical cover may help with treatment expenses. That does not establish that daily sickness allowance replaces earnings. The Federal Office of Public Health distinguishes Health Insurance Act daily allowance from private Insurance Contract Act cover. With a private policy, read the territorial scope and notification procedure. One Groupe Mutuel group policy illustrates that time outside the vicinity of home can carry restrictions. That example is not a universal rule for the self-employed.
Distinguish three scenarios
Ask what happens if you become ill during a business trip, travel while a claim is already in progress, or move your residence or business base. A short stay, a trip during incapacity and a permanent move raise different questions. Check country, duration, any required written permission and arrangements for medical assessment. Ask how the insurer treats remote work during partial incapacity as well.
A three-week trip
A Switzerland-based translator plans to work abroad for three weeks. She assumes illness stops her delivering for two weeks. If her hypothetical contract has a 30-day waiting period, the absence would not itself result in payment even if the location is covered and the evidence accepted. If incapacity continues, she still needs to check territorial terms, medical certificates, the start of the waiting period and coordination with other benefits.
Get an answer you can refer back to
Before leaving, ask where and when to report a claim, and what format is accepted for a local certificate, including any translation. If you become unable to work, report it under the policy rather than waiting to return. Keep a reserve for fixed bills and earnings that would not be replaced. Retain the policy and written answer with your travel documents without sending medical details through an insecure channel.
Test the policy with dates
Rather than simply asking whether cover is worldwide, state the dates, destination and reason for travel. Ask from which day a benefit could be calculated in two scenarios: incapacity beginning abroad and incapacity already recognised before departure. Separately record the maximum period, medical follow-up procedure and costs you would still bear. Keep a copy of the response with the version of the policy terms used so that you can refer to the same wording if your plans change.
Sources & further reading
OFSP / FOPH — Assurance facultative d’indemnités journalières