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What is Domestic Helper Insurance?
Key Features of Domestic Helper Insurance
Employer’s liability
Outpatient, hospital & surgical
Personal accident & third-party liability
Fidelity & replacement helper
Repatriation expenses
Employment termination benefits
Hong Kong employers must take out employees’ compensation insurance for domestic helpers. Employers of foreign domestic helpers must also provide free medical treatment.
Many employers therefore choose broader domestic helper insurance to help cover medical costs and other employment-related risks, such as third-party liability, fidelity protection, replacement helper expenses and repatriation.
Coverage, deductibles and waiting periods vary by plan. 10Life helps you compare plans by coverage, premium and rating.
Key Domestic Helper Insurance Coverage
Coverage
Employer’s Liability
Outpatient Medical
Hospitalisation & Surgery
Critical Illness
Dental / Chinese Medicine / Bone-setting
Personal Accident
Third-party Liability
Fidelity Protection
Replacement Helper / Service Interruption
What it covers
Covers legal liability arising from a helper’s work-related injury, occupational disease or death.
Covers eligible outpatient expenses, subject to per-visit limits, annual limits, deductibles and any designated clinic or medical card arrangements.
Covers eligible hospital and surgical expenses due to illness or accident. Benefit limits vary by plan.
Some plans cover specified critical illnesses such as cancer or heart disease, subject to benefit limits and waiting periods.
Selected plans cover emergency dental treatment, Chinese medicine or bone-setting, subject to specified limits.
Provides a lump-sum benefit for accidental death or disability.
Covers certain legal liabilities if the helper accidentally injures someone or damages property while carrying out household duties.
Covers specified financial or property loss caused by dishonest acts, subject to policy conditions.
Selected plans cover replacement helper costs or temporary household help if the insured helper cannot continue working.
How Does 10Life Rate Domestic Helper Insurance?
The 10Life Domestic Helper Insurance Rating compares plans across Medical & Accident Coverage, Employer Coverage and Liability Coverage.
The model considers medical benefits, accident cover, fidelity protection, repatriation, replacement helper benefits and liability protection, with different weightings based on their relevance to employers.
This helps you compare the overall level of protection, not just the premium.
What Should You Look for When Comparing Domestic Helper Insurance?
Does the Premium Reflect the Level of Cover?
A lower premium may come with lower benefit limits or fewer benefits. Compare premium, coverage limits and scope of cover together.
Is the Medical Coverage Sufficient for Everyday Needs?
Medical coverage is important because employers are responsible for providing free medical treatment to foreign domestic helpers. Check outpatient limits, annual medical limits, hospital and surgical benefits, plus any medical card or clinic network.
Waiting Periods and Effective Dates
Some illness-related benefits may not start immediately. Check the applicable waiting periods and effective dates before relying on the cover.
Deductibles and Claims Process
Check whether a deductible applies and what supporting documents are required. These may include medical receipts, medical certificates, diagnostic documents or employment records.
Understand the Exclusions
Common exclusions may include pre-existing conditions, pregnancy-related expenses, illegal acts, alcohol- or drug-related incidents, and intentional self-harm. Actual exclusions vary by policy.
Policy Flexibility and Change of Helper
Some insurers allow the insured helper’s details to be changed if you replace your helper. However, the new helper may only be covered until the original policy expiry date.
Does Domestic Helper Insurance Cover Sick Leave or Other Leave?
Domestic helper insurance mainly covers medical expenses, accidents and specified employer-related risks. It is separate from leave entitlements under the employment contract.
Rest days, statutory holidays, annual leave and sick leave should be handled under the relevant Hong Kong employment requirements and employment contract. If the helper is on sick leave, whether the medical costs are covered depends on the policy’s medical benefits.
Related Domestic Helper Insurance Articles
How to Understand Domestic Helper Insurance Policy Coverage
Statutory Employer’s Liability Cover
Under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282), employers must take out employees’ compensation insurance to cover their liabilities under the Ordinance and at common law. This is a statutory requirement.
Outpatient Cover
Covers eligible outpatient expenses if the helper needs medical treatment in Hong Kong because of illness or an accident. Some plans also cover Chinese medicine, bone-setting or treatment through designated clinics.
Hospitalisation and Surgical Cover
Covers eligible hospital and surgical expenses due to illness or accident, including specified room, operating theatre and medical costs. Benefit limits vary between plans.
Personal Accident Cover
Provides a lump-sum benefit if the helper suffers accidental death or disability during the insured period.
Repatriation Expenses
Some plans cover transportation or repatriation expenses if the helper dies or is medically certified as unfit to continue working and needs to return to their place of origin.
Third-party Liability Cover
Covers certain legal liabilities if the helper accidentally causes bodily injury or property damage while carrying out household duties. For example, cover may apply if a window accidentally falls during cleaning and injures a passer-by, subject to policy terms.
Domestic Helper Insurance FAQs
Is domestic helper insurance compulsory in Hong Kong?
Employers must take out employees’ compensation insurance for domestic helpers. Broader medical, fidelity or replacement-helper benefits are not all mandatory.
When should I buy domestic helper insurance?
You should generally arrange the required cover before the helper starts employment to avoid a gap in protection. If you change helpers or switch policies, confirm the new effective date first.
Who pays the medical expenses when a foreign domestic helper sees a doctor?
Employers are generally responsible for providing free medical treatment to foreign domestic helpers. Insurance may help offset eligible outpatient, hospital and surgical costs.
What medical expenses does domestic helper insurance usually cover?
Plans may cover outpatient treatment, hospitalisation and surgery, while some also cover critical illness, dental treatment, Chinese medicine or bone-setting.
Can I transfer my domestic helper insurance if the employment contract ends or I change helpers?
Some insurers allow you to update the insured helper’s details, but fees and arrangements vary. Coverage may still be limited by the original policy period. See our domestic helper contract renewal guide for details.
Is my domestic helper still covered if they return home for a holiday?
It depends on the policy’s geographical coverage and terms. Some benefits may only apply in Hong Kong, while others may include specified overseas or repatriation cover.
Can I transfer the policy to a new domestic helper?
Some insurers allow you to update the insured domestic helper’s details, but documents, fees or certain conditions may apply. Check the arrangements before taking out a policy.
Is my domestic helper covered if they travel overseas with my family?
It depends on the policy. Some domestic helper insurance plans only cover Hong Kong, while others may extend employer’s liability protection if the helper travels overseas with the employer and continues performing domestic duties. For medical, personal accident or other benefits, check the policy’s geographical coverage and terms, as overseas protection is not automatic.
What is the difference between foreign domestic helper insurance and part-time domestic helper insurance?
Foreign domestic helper insurance is generally designed for full-time foreign domestic helpers employed in Hong Kong. Part-time helper insurance may cover different workers and employment arrangements.
Is there a difference between insurance for Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers?
Usually not based on nationality alone. Eligibility normally depends more on the helper’s age, employment status and the insurer’s underwriting rules.
How much does domestic helper insurance cost per year?
Annual premiums typically range from around HK$200 to over HK$1,900, depending on the coverage, helper’s age and optional benefits. Plans with higher hospital, surgical or critical illness coverage generally cost more.
With 10Life, you can compare domestic helper insurance plans by annual premium, key benefits and 10Life rating. Selected plans are also available for online purchase with promotional offers.
What are the common exclusions under domestic helper insurance?
Domestic helper insurance does not cover every situation. Common exclusions may include:
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Pregnancy or childbirth-related expenses
- Illegal acts
- Accidents involving alcohol or drugs
- Suicide or intentional self-harm
- Medical treatment or claims that do not meet the policy requirements
Actual coverage and exclusions vary by policy, so always refer to the policy terms and conditions.
How should I compare plans if I want higher hospital coverage for my domestic helper?
Start by comparing hospital and surgical benefits, critical illness coverage, outpatient benefits, deductibles and waiting periods, then consider the annual premium and other employer benefits. If medical coverage is your priority, avoid choosing based on price alone.
On 10Life, you can add up to four plans to “Product Comparison” and click “Compare Now” to review their key benefits and differences side by side.
Which Domestic Helper Insurance Is Best?
10Life rates domestic helper insurance plans based on three key areas: medical and accident coverage, employer protection, and legal liability coverage, with different weightings applied to each category.
Which Domestic Helper Insurance Is Best?
10Life rates domestic helper insurance plans based on three key areas: medical and accident coverage, employer protection, and legal liability coverage, with different weightings applied to each category.
