What does helper insurance cover, and what does it cost?

Every employer of a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong MUST take out Employees' Compensation (EC) insurance — it is required by the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, and employing a helper without it is a criminal offence (fines up to HK$100,000 and imprisonment).

What EC insurance covers: - Work injuries and occupational diseases, including medical expenses and periodical payments while your helper cannot work - Permanent disability compensation - Fatal case compensation to family members

Most insurers sell a combined "domestic helper insurance" package that adds, on top of the mandatory EC layer: - Outpatient, hospitalisation and dental benefits - Repatriation expenses - Personal liability cover - Cover for dishonesty (loss of money or valuables)

Typical price in the market runs HK$1,280–2,000 for a two-year contract, depending on the benefits chosen. The policy period should match the contract period (two years), and cover should start on the day your helper arrives in Hong Kong.

When you hire through HelperDoc we can arrange the insurance together with the contract paperwork — message us on WhatsApp for a quotation from our partner insurers.