Swiss Traffic Club

What Swiss Traffic Club does

VCS Verkehrs-Club der Schweiz (Swiss Traffic Club) is a Bern-based, member-governed Swiss association (Verein) that combines sustainable-mobility advocacy with a portfolio of insurance and member-benefit products. Its core mission is to campaign for better public transport, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, school-route safety, and climate-conscious transportation policy in Switzerland, including high-profile political activity such as the November 24, 2024 national referendum in which 1.3 million Swiss citizens voted against highway expansion.

The organization sells annual memberships and distributes eight insurance lines — bicycle, auto (classical and VCS MyWay usage-based), roadside assistance (Europe and corporate), legal protection, travel/leisure Schutzbrief, personal liability, household, and valuables — all underwritten through a core partnership with Zurich Versicherungs-Gesellschaft AG and serviced via 28 Zurich Help Points and 298 partner garages. Ancillary revenue comes from a CHF 19 quarterly VCS Magazine, donations, branded merchandise (walk-to-school reflectors, upcycling gym bags sewn by Stiftung CONTACT), and partner discounts (Papiliorama, Micro scooters, SBB vouchers).

VCS operates a sales-led, direct-to-consumer go-to-market via its website, phone, email, in-person consultations at Aarbergergasse 61 in Bern, and grassroots campaigns, with leadership under CEO Stéphanie Penher. It is not a technology company — there is no proprietary platform, no AI/ML capability, and no mobile app — and the durable value sits in regulatory influence, brand recognition, and the Zurich-anchored insurance distribution relationship rather than in technology differentiation.

Name

Swiss Traffic Club

Legal name

VCS Verkehrs-Club der Schweiz

Website

https://verkehrsclub.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

VCS Verkehrs-Club der Schweiz is a Bern-based Swiss nonprofit association that combines sustainable-mobility advocacy with a portfolio of Zurich-underwritten insurance products and member benefits for Swiss residents. It sells memberships, magazine subscriptions, and insurance (auto, bicycle, roadside, legal, household, liability, valuables) while campaigning on transportation policy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobility Advocacy Services

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAEADAK

Travel & Services Membership Clubs (Ancillary Services-Led)

Consumer Products & Retail/Discount, Club & Value Retail/Warehouse Clubs & Membership-Based Retail

SECONDARYFSAJAFAM

Nonprofit / Social Services BOP

Financial & Insurance/Insurance — Motor, Property & Casualty/Commercial Package / Business Owners Policies (BOP)

Keywords

• Sustainable mobility advocacy
• Bicycle insurance
• Auto insurance
• Roadside assistance
• Travel insurance

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from individuals supporting sustainable mobility causes. Members receive access to insurance products, the VCS magazine, and various member benefits.
2. Insurance Products: VCS acts as an insurance broker offering auto insurance, bicycle insurance, roadside assistance (Pannenhilfe), legal protection (Rechtsschutz), travel protection (Schutzbrief), household insurance (Hausrat), liability insurance (Haftpflicht), and valuables insurance (Wertsachen). Insurance products are primarily underwritten by Zurich Versicherungs-Gesellschaft AG.
3. VCS Magazine Subscriptions: Annual subscriptions to the VCS magazine covering sustainable mobility topics, travel tips, and VCS activities. Published four times annually.
4. Donations: Voluntary donations from supporters of sustainable mobility and environmental causes.
5. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including the 'walk to school' reflective tags and upcycling products made from referendum banners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VCS is a Swiss membership association that advocates for sustainable mobility and distributes a portfolio of insurance products to its members as a broker on behalf of Zurich Versicherungs-Gesellschaft AG, including auto, bicycle, liability, household, valuables, legal protection, travel, and roadside-assistance coverages. It also publishes a quarterly VCS magazine, runs national political campaigns (e.g., against highway expansion, for Tempo 30, safer school routes, and train-instead-of-flight), and provides member benefits such as partner discounts and branded merchandise. The core business is the bundled sale of insurance and advocacy-driven member services funded by annual membership fees, insurance subscriptions, and donations.

Product overview

Swiss Traffic Club (VCS Verkehrs-Club der Schweiz) is a membership-based sustainable mobility advocacy organization offering a portfolio of insurance products underwritten by Zurich Insurance, the VCS-Magazin quarterly publication, and various member benefits. The insurance offerings include VCS-Veloversicherung (bicycle insurance), VCS Pannenhilfe Europa (roadside assistance), VCS Autoversicherung (auto insurance with MyWay kilometer-based and classical options), VCS-Haftpflichtversicherung (liability), VCS-Hausratversicherung (household), VCS-Wertsachenversicherung (valuables), VCS Schutzbrief (travel insurance), and VCS Rechtsschutz (legal protection). Member benefits include walk to school campaigns, Velotaschen ÖV (bike transport bag loans), magazine competitions, and partner discounts. The organization focuses on sustainable mobility advocacy rather than operating a technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VCS-Veloversicherung: Bicycle insurance covering damage, theft, battery defects for racing bikes, mountain bikes, and E-bikes
• VCS Autoversicherung
• VCS Pannenhilfe Europa
• VCS-Firmenpannenhilfe
• VCS MyWay
• VCS-Haftpflichtversicherung
• VCS-Wertsachenversicherung
• VCS-Hausratversicherung

Products and services

• VCS-Veloversicherung (Bicycle Insurance) Annual bicycle insurance covering racing bikes, mountain bikes, E-bikes, cargo bikes, and folding bikes against damage, theft, battery defects, and roadside assistance worldwide, starting from CHF 45.00 per year with no deductible. Sold to VCS members through the website and Bern-based advisors.
• VCS Pannenhilfe Europa (Roadside Assistance Europe) 24/7 European roadside assistance covering breakdown recovery, towing costs, accommodation, and travel expenses throughout Europe including Switzerland and Liechtenstein, starting from CHF 69.00 per year. Sold to individual consumers via direct channels.
• VCS-Firmenpannenhilfe (Corporate Roadside Assistance) Roadside assistance subscription for businesses with 24/7 emergency support in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, covering assistance, towing, and accommodation compensation, starting from CHF 35.00 per year. Sold to corporate fleet customers.
• VCS Autoversicherung (Auto Insurance with MyWay option) Auto insurance covering electric, hybrid, petrol, diesel, and CNG vehicles with up to 20% discount for environmentally friendly vehicles, supported by 28 Zurich Help Points and 298 partner garages. Includes the kilometer-based VCS MyWay plan starting from CHF 60.70 per year for low-mileage drivers up to 7,000 km/year.
• Klassische Autoversicherung (Classic Auto Insurance) Traditional auto insurance for regular drivers with customizable packages including liability, fully comprehensive, and partial comprehensive coverage, starting from CHF 276.00 per year with up to 20% discount for electric, hybrid, or hydrogen vehicles.
• VCS-Haftpflichtversicherung (Personal Liability Insurance) Personal liability insurance protecting against damages caused to third parties, offered as individual or family/partner insurance through Zurich. Sold to VCS members for personal coverage.
• VCS-Hausratversicherung (Household Insurance) Household contents insurance covering fire, water, burglary, and natural hazards with replacement at new value, starting from CHF 50.00 per year; 20% discount for young adults up to age 25 and 10% up to age 30. Sold to individual members.
• VCS-Wertsachenversicherung (Valuables Insurance) 'All Risk' valuables insurance covering jewelry, watches, electronic devices, musical instruments, bicycles, and E-bikes, starting from CHF 53.00 per year. Sold to individual members.
• VCS Schutzbrief (Travel and Leisure Insurance) Year-round travel and leisure insurance offering worldwide accident coverage for travel and leisure, starting from CHF 129.00 per year. Sold to individual VCS members.
• VCS Rechtsschutzversicherung (Legal Protection Insurance) Legal protection insurance for vehicle drivers, cyclists, employees, tenants, and various everyday situations, starting from CHF 250.00 per year. Sold to individual members.
• VCS-Magazin (Quarterly Magazine Subscription) Quarterly printed and digital magazine covering sustainable mobility, travel tips, and VCS activities, published four times per year and available by subscription for CHF 19.00 per year. Sold to VCS members and the public.
• walk to school Campaign School-year-long two-week competition motivating schoolchildren to walk to kindergarten or school independently, with classes able to register and participate throughout the school year.
• Walk to School Anhänger (Reflective Safety Pendant) Branded water-resistant reflective tag for jackets or bags promoting child road safety, sold from CHF 0.80 per unit.
• Upcycling-Gymbag Branded gym bag made from repurposed referendum banners sewn by Stiftung CONTACT in Bern, sold for CHF 30.00 per unit.
• Velotaschen ÖV (Free Bike Transport Bag Loan) Free bicycle transport bags available for loan to VCS members for traveling with bikes on Swiss public transport, including Travel Light and Travel SL Road models.

Quantifiable outcome

• Historic referendum victory on November 24, 2024 with 1.3 million Swiss citizens voting against highway expansion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zurich Versicherungs-Gesellschaft AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZurich provides underwriting for VCS auto insurance products including the classic auto insurance and VCS MyWay kilometer-based insurance. VCS acts as a distribution channel offering Zurich products to its members with special rates. Zurich provides 28 Help Points and 298 partner garages for customer support.
• PostAutocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPostAuto co-sponsors the FLUX award (Goldener Verkehrsknoten) with VCS, Verband öffentlicher Verkehr (VöV), and LITRA. This award recognizes outstanding public transport hubs in Switzerland.
• Verband öffentlicher Verkehr (VöV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVöV co-sponsors the FLUX award (Goldener Verkehrsknoten) along with PostAuto, VCS, and LITRA. The award recognizes small to medium-sized transport hubs that excel from both customer and operational perspectives.
• LITRA (Informationsdienst für den öffentlichen Verkehr)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLITRA co-sponsors the FLUX award (Goldener Verkehrsknoten) recognizing outstanding public transport hubs in Switzerland.
• SBB (Schweizerische Bundesbahnen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCS advocates for better SBB services and international rail connections. SBB offers vouchers as part of VCS member referral program. VCS campaigns include 'Zug statt Flug' promoting train travel over flights.
• Papiliorama KerzersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVCS members receive free entry for one child per paying adult at the Papiliorama butterfly garden in Kerzers. Valid voucher available for download by members.
• Micro Mobility Systems AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVCS members receive 15% discount on all products in the Micro online shop (micro-scooter.com). Discount code VCS-15-MICRO valid until 31.12.2026.
• Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCS offers free bike transport bags (Velotaschen) for members to use on SBB trains. The bags allow free bicycle transport on trains.
• Stiftung CONTACTminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUpcycling partner that sews gym bags from old referendum banners. Located in Bern, provides working places for people with addiction issues.
• TwilinerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss startup offering premium overnight bus connections from Zurich to Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Brussels using modern double-decker buses with lie-flat seats. Part of VCS coverage on sustainable travel alternatives.
• Zürich TourismusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZürich Tourismus collaborated with authorities on the 'Nachtsprung Zürich 2040' study exploring night train and night bus connections from Zurich as a hub for sustainable European travel.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ADAC: Germany's largest mobility club with over 21 million members, providing roadside assistance, insurance, travel and advocacy services. A broader incumbent in the European mobility-club category that shares VCS's insurance brokerage and advocacy model.
• Mobiliar: Switzerland's largest cooperative insurance company offering property, liability, household, and auto insurance directly. A broader incumbent whose products are similar to those VCS distributes through Zurich.
• The AA (UK): UK-based roadside assistance and insurance provider with a membership-driven model. Comparable to VCS in combining member subscription with insurance and mobility services.

Regional players

• ANWB: Dutch mobility association providing roadside assistance, insurance, travel and advocacy services. Comparable membership-club model with insurance distribution, operating in a different DACH-adjacent geography.
• RACC: Spanish automobile club offering roadside assistance, insurance and travel benefits. Comparable membership-driven mobility and insurance model serving a different European geography.
• ÖAMTC: Austrian automobile club offering roadside assistance, insurance and member services. A regional peer operating the same membership + mobility + insurance model in a neighboring DACH market.

Emerging players

• Allianz Direct: Digital-first direct insurance carrier in Switzerland selling auto and household policies online. An emerging player competing on price and convenience against broker-distributed offerings like VCS's Zurich partnership products.

Direct peers

• Touring Club Schweiz (TCS): Switzerland's largest mobility club with over 1.5 million members, offering roadside assistance, insurance, driver training and travel services. The closest direct competitor to VCS in the Swiss membership-based mobility and insurance space.
• Automobil Club der Schweiz (ACS): Swiss automobile club providing roadside assistance, insurance, and travel services to members. Competes with VCS for the same Swiss motorists seeking membership-based mobility benefits.

Others

• Protekta Rechtsschutz: Swiss legal protection insurance specialist. Adjacent provider whose Rechtsschutz product competes with VCS Rechtsschutzversicherung in the same Swiss legal-insurance segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQILPjZyL5rC1mfwBqd4rPA
• Facebookfacebook.com/verkehrsclub.ch
• Instagraminstagram.com/verkehrsclub_schweiz
• Xx.com/verkehrsclub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vcs-verkehrs-club-der-schweiz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Swiss Traffic Club