Every Hong Kong employer must have employees’ compensation (EC) insurance in force for a domestic helper. For an employer with no more than 200 employees, the statutory minimum insurance cover is HK$100 million per event. Employing without the required policy is an offence punishable by a fine of up to HK$100,000 and imprisonment for up to two years. EC cover is only the legal floor: Clause 9 of the Standard Employment Contract separately requires the employer to provide free medical treatment during the employment period, subject to the contract terms.
This guide separates those two duties, then explains common optional benefits, indicative prices, exclusions and renewal decisions. It was checked on 14 September 2026 against Hong Kong government material and current first-party insurer pages. Benefits, eligibility and premiums can change, so obtain the current policy wording and a live quote before buying.
What insurance is legally mandatory?
Section 40 of the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282) prohibits an employer from employing anyone unless an approved insurance policy covers the employer’s liabilities under the Ordinance and at common law for work injury. This applies to domestic-helper employers from the first day of employment.
| Duty | What it covers | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| EC insurance | Employer liability for injury or death caused by an accident arising out of and in the course of employment | Mandatory; HK$100 million minimum per event for employers with no more than 200 employees |
| Free medical treatment under ID 407 Clause 9 | Medical consultation, hospital maintenance and emergency dental treatment during the employment period, subject to the contract | Employer duty; not the same as EC insurance |
Do not wait for the helper to arrive or start work. Arrange the policy to begin no later than the first day of employment, and avoid any gap when renewing or changing insurers.
Why EC-only cover may leave a large gap
EC insurance responds to covered work injuries. Clause 9 of the Standard Employment Contract is broader: while the helper is employed, the employer must provide free medical treatment when she is ill or suffers personal injury, whether or not it is attributable to employment, except during periods when she leaves Hong Kong voluntarily for personal purposes. The contract also allows the employer to use any registered medical practitioner.
From 1 January 2026, the Hospital Authority’s eligible-person Accident & Emergency fee is HK$400. Public specialist outpatient, family medicine and inpatient charges also changed under the 2026 reform. Fee waivers and annual caps may help eligible patients, but they do not replace the employer’s contractual duty or a policy’s terms.
Hospital Authority: Public Healthcare Fees and Charges ReformWhat comprehensive helper policies may cover
| Benefit | Typical purpose | Check carefully |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and outpatient | Consultations and prescribed medicine | Per-visit, annual and network limits |
| Hospital and surgical | Inpatient treatment and operations | Annual limit, room class, sub-limits and exclusions |
| Dental | Usually emergency dental treatment | Routine care is often excluded |
| Personal accident | Accidental death or disablement benefit | Geographic and off-duty scope |
| Repatriation | Return travel after serious illness, injury or death | Trigger, destination and maximum |
| Service interruption | Cash benefit or temporary-help cost during hospitalisation | Waiting period and daily cap |
| Fidelity | Specified dishonest acts causing employer loss | Evidence, excess and low sub-limits |
| Replacement expenses | Specified cost of engaging a replacement | Only listed events qualify |
| Cancer or heart-disease extension | Adds cover otherwise excluded or restricted | Named diseases, waiting periods and benefit limits |
A benefit name is not enough. Compare the schedule and full policy wording: annual and per-visit limits, excesses, waiting periods, networks, claim evidence and exclusions determine how useful it is.
How much does helper insurance cost in 2026?
There is no official market tariff. Published insurer prices, bank offers and broker promotions change frequently. As a budgeting guide—not a quote—basic EC-focused cover may be available for several hundred Hong Kong dollars a year, while broader packages commonly move into the high hundreds or low thousands per year. Higher medical limits and cancer or heart-disease options can cost more.
| Budget tier | Indicative annual range | What it may include |
|---|---|---|
| EC-focused | About HK$300–800 | Mandatory EC liability, with few extras |
| Broader package | About HK$800–1,500 | EC plus selected clinical, hospital, accident or repatriation benefits |
| Higher-limit / add-on package | About HK$1,500–3,000+ | Higher medical limits and more optional benefits |
These broad bands are for planning only and are not prices for any named product. Age, term, benefit level, excess, add-ons, underwriting and promotions affect the quote. Compare like with like and confirm whether a displayed price is annual or for a two-year term.
Examples of verified product features
The examples below show differences visible in first-party materials; they are not a complete market comparison or a ranking. Limits may vary by plan tier and optional cover.
| Provider / product | First-party feature examples | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| MSIG iHelper | Essential, Standard and Enhanced tiers; optional cancer and heart-disease cover shown | Current tier schedule, top-up and eligibility |
| AXA SmartHelper Plus | Medical, personal accident, fidelity and replacement-related benefits are described | Current limits, qualifying events and exclusions |
| Zurich HelperSafe | Multiple plan levels with medical and optional benefits | Current benefit table, age rules and policy term |
| BOCG Smart Domestic Helper | EC, medical, personal accident and fidelity benefits shown across plans | Current schedule and critical-illness definitions |
| QBE Domestic Helper Insurance | Multiple benefit levels and optional cancer and heart-disease extension | Current limits, waiting periods and exclusions |
- MSIG iHelper product page
- AXA SmartHelper Plus information
- Zurich HelperSafe product page
- BOCG Smart Domestic Helper Insurance
- QBE domestic helper benefit summary
Cancer and critical-illness gaps
Do not assume every standard plan excludes cancer, or that every plan covers it. Product structures differ: some exclude cancer or heart disease from base medical sections, some offer an extension, and some provide limited cover in selected tiers. Check the named conditions, whether the benefit reimburses expenses or pays a fixed sum, the waiting period, annual maximum and treatment sub-limits.
A general hospitalisation limit does not prove that cancer treatment, heart disease, chemotherapy, specialist drugs or long courses of outpatient care are covered. Ask the insurer to identify the relevant clause in the current wording.
Common exclusions and limits
- Pre-existing conditions and symptoms before cover starts
- Pregnancy, childbirth and maternity-related treatment
- Routine dental care when only emergency dental treatment is insured
- Specified diseases such as cancer or heart disease unless included or extended
- Congenital, mental-health or sexually transmitted conditions where named
- Self-inflicted injury, illegal acts and excluded high-risk activities
- Treatment outside the approved network, Hong Kong or benefit period
- Per-visit, per-disability, annual and aggregate sub-limits
Exclusions vary. The policy wording—not this list, a sales page or a comparison table—controls a claim.
Annual or two-year policy?
| Term | May suit | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| One year | A contract with less than two years remaining, or employers who want to review benefits sooner | Renewal lapse, changed premium or changed terms |
| Two years | A new standard two-year contract when cover and price are suitable | Cancellation and refund terms if employment ends early |
A two-year term is not automatically cheaper. Compare the total payable premium, not only an advertised monthly or annual equivalent, and check how the insurer handles replacement helpers, early termination and policy transfer.
A practical plan-selection checklist
- 1
Confirm the legal floor
Check approved EC insurance, HK$100 million minimum cover where applicable, and the exact start date.
- 2
Map the medical exposure
Compare outpatient, hospital, surgery, dental, cancer and heart-disease terms against the Clause 9 obligation.
- 3
Check eligibility
Confirm helper age, occupation, contract status and any underwriting questions.
- 4
Read limits and exclusions
Review the schedule and wording, not only the product summary.
- 5
Compare consistent quotes
Use the same term, excess and add-ons, and distinguish annual from two-year prices.
- 6
Plan renewal early
Review four to six weeks before expiry and keep written proof of continuous cover.
Related employer guides
- Total cost of hiring a domestic helper
- Contract renewal and termination
- Maternity leave employer guide
- Sick leave and medical certificates
Sources and disclaimer
- Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282)
- Labour Department: Practical Guide for Employment of FDHs
- Immigration Department: Form ID 407
- Hospital Authority: 2026 fee reform
This article provides general information, not legal, medical, financial or insurance advice. Coverage, premiums and regulations change. Verify the current policy schedule and wording with the insurer or a licensed insurance intermediary, and consult the Labour Department or a qualified adviser about your circumstances.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to the questions employers ask most about this topic.
Is domestic helper insurance mandatory in Hong Kong?
Yes. Every employer must have employees’ compensation insurance in force for a domestic helper. For an employer with no more than 200 employees, the statutory minimum cover is HK$100 million per event. Employing without the required policy can lead to a fine of up to HK$100,000 and imprisonment for up to two years.
Is employees’ compensation insurance enough?
It meets the compulsory insurance requirement, but it does not remove the separate duty under Clause 9 of the Standard Employment Contract to provide free medical treatment during employment, subject to the contract terms. Employers often consider broader medical cover for that exposure.
How much does domestic helper insurance cost in 2026?
There is no official tariff. As a broad budgeting guide, EC-focused cover may cost about HK$300–800 a year, broader packages about HK$800–1,500, and higher-limit packages about HK$1,500–3,000 or more. These are indicative ranges, not quotes; obtain current like-for-like quotes.
Does helper insurance cover cancer or heart disease?
It depends on the policy and tier. Some base medical sections exclude or restrict cancer and heart disease, while some insurers offer an extension or selected-tier cover. Check named conditions, waiting periods, reimbursement or fixed-benefit basis, and all limits in the current wording.
Does helper insurance cover pregnancy?
Pregnancy, childbirth and maternity-related treatment are commonly excluded, but exclusions differ. Statutory maternity rights and the employer’s contractual duties are separate from insurance, so read the policy and seek advice for the specific circumstances.
Should I choose a one-year or two-year policy?
A two-year policy can align with a new standard contract, while a one-year policy can suit a contract with less time remaining or an earlier review. Compare total premium, cancellation and refund rules, replacement-helper arrangements and the risk of a renewal gap; two years is not automatically cheaper.
When should I buy or renew the policy?
Arrange cover to start no later than the helper’s first day of employment. Review renewal four to six weeks before expiry, confirm the next policy begins without a gap, and retain written proof of continuous cover.
How should I compare domestic helper insurance plans?
Compare approved EC cover, medical and hospital limits, cancer and heart-disease terms, age eligibility, excesses, networks, waiting periods, exclusions and policy term on the same basis. Use current schedules and full wording, then obtain a live quote from the insurer or a licensed intermediary.
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