Two jobs, two possible losses
Part-time employment and self-employment can continue or stop differently during an illness. A policy arranged by your employer may cover wages for that job, subject to the group contract. Check separately whether anything protects your self-employed income. The insurer's name, even when it is the same on both contracts, does not determine what is insured or which benefits can be combined.
A budget that shows the exposure
Assume CHF 3,000 monthly wages and CHF 2,000 in normalised self-employed profit, with CHF 450 in business overheads that must be funded during an absence. If only wages are insured, do not assume the benefit replaces lost profit or pays for the workshop. To assess cash flow, itemise the household income that disappears and the business payments that continue, without counting an expense twice if it already enters the profit calculation.
Describe both jobs
A doctor may identify different restrictions for desk work and manual work. Give the insurer the requested information on each activity and clarify which tasks remain feasible, for how many hours and from what dates. Ask which occupation is used to assess incapacity and how a partial return or changed earnings affects payment. A medical certificate does not itself establish the insured income.
Set the policies side by side
Ask each insurer for the earnings it recognises, evidence required, incapacity threshold, waiting period, benefit duration and coordination terms. Present one scenario where both jobs stop and one where only manual work becomes impossible. Ask for a written illustration of benefits and possible deductions. Keep a reserve for uncovered amounts and expenses no contract explicitly agrees to fund.
Review cover as the business grows
If the side business becomes your main job, do not assume your policy automatically adjusts to higher independent earnings or a lower salary. Record the date, new work schedule and proof of income already available. Ask when an adjustment could take effect and what would remain covered in between. Reviewing the file annually and whenever there is a major change is more useful than comparing premiums without checking the income insured. Make sure the written confirmation describes the two activities as you actually carry them out.
Sources & further reading
OFSP / FOPH — Assurance facultative d’indemnités journalières