Domestic Helper Medical Insurance Requirements Hong Kong 2026

What Medical Care Must Employers Provide by Law?

The Standard Employment Contract (ID407) contains an explicit clause requiring employers to bear all medical and hospital charges for illness or injury suffered by the helper during the employment period. This is a contractual obligation — not just best practice.

• All medical consultations and treatment costs during the contract
• Hospitalisation costs (public or private) for illness or injury
• Costs of diagnostic tests and prescribed medications
• Emergency dental treatment (if resulting from injury)
• This obligation exists even if the employer does not have a medical insurance policy — the employer bears the costs personally if uninsured

Employees' Compensation (EC) Insurance — Legally Mandatory

Under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282), all Hong Kong employers must maintain valid Employees' Compensation insurance for every employee, including domestic helpers. This insurance must be in force before the helper's first day of work.

What Does EC Insurance Cover?

• Work-related injuries: accidents during the course of employment (e.g. slipping while cleaning)
• Occupational diseases linked to the nature of the domestic work
• Permanent disability compensation
• Death benefit for the helper's dependants
• Does NOT cover: illness (non-work-related), accidents outside work hours, or medical treatment generally

What EC Insurance Does NOT Cover — and Why You Need Medical Insurance Too

EC insurance is limited to work-related incidents. Since domestic helpers live in the employer's home and have no working hours limit, the line between 'on duty' and 'off duty' can be ambiguous. More importantly, common health issues — flu, infections, dental problems, and non-work-related illness — are NOT covered by EC insurance.

Since you are legally obligated to pay for all medical treatment during the contract, you are personally financially exposed for all non-work-related medical costs unless you have a separate medical insurance policy for the helper.

Recommended: Comprehensive Maid Insurance Package

Most Hong Kong employers purchase a combined 'maid insurance' or 'domestic helper insurance' package that bundles all relevant covers into one policy. Major providers in Hong Kong include AIG, AXA, Pacific Century Insurance (PCI), and Chubb.

How Much Does Domestic Helper Insurance Cost in 2026?

• Basic EC-only policy: HK$200–400 for 2 years (very limited cover)
• Standard maid insurance (EC + medical + personal accident): HK$550–900 for 2 years
• Comprehensive package (EC + medical + PA + third-party + repatriation): HK$900–1,300 for 2 years
• Annual (not 2-year) policies are also available for contract renewals
• Compare quotes from AIG, AXA, PCI, and Chubb — pricing varies significantly

What Is the Minimum Hospitalisation Coverage Required?

There is no government-mandated minimum for medical/hospitalisation insurance — the legal obligation is on the employer personally to pay medical costs. However, public hospitalisation in Hong Kong for non-residents (including domestic helpers) can cost HK$5,000–15,000 per day in a public hospital bed as a non-entitled person. Private hospital costs are significantly higher. A hospitalisation limit of at least HK$100,000 per year is generally recommended.

Workers' Compensation vs Medical Insurance — What's the Difference?

These are commonly confused. Workers' Compensation (EC) pays compensation to the helper for work-related injury or death. Medical insurance pays medical bills — for any illness or injury, work-related or not. They are different products covering different risks. You need both for comprehensive protection.

Frequently Asked Questions: Helper Medical Insurance

Can the employer deduct insurance costs from the helper's salary?

No. All insurance that the employer is legally required to maintain — specifically EC insurance — must be paid by the employer and cannot be deducted from the helper's wages. Deducting insurance premiums from wages is a breach of the Employment Ordinance.

What if the helper has pre-existing medical conditions?

Pre-existing conditions are typically excluded from personal accident and medical insurance policies. The employer is still contractually obligated to pay medical treatment costs even for conditions that existed before employment — the contract does not contain a pre-existing condition exclusion. Review your insurance policy carefully for exclusions.

Does dental treatment count as a medical cost the employer must cover?

Routine dental treatment is generally not included in the employer's medical obligation under the Standard Employment Contract. Emergency dental treatment resulting from a work-related accident is typically covered. For general dental care, check your maid insurance policy — some comprehensive packages include a dental benefit.

What happens if the helper is hospitalised for an extended period?

The employer continues to pay wages during hospitalisation (subject to sick leave rules) and bears all hospital costs. If the helper is unable to perform her duties due to hospitalisation for an extended period (more than 14 consecutive days certified by a doctor), the employer may in limited circumstances apply for early contract termination — but this requires Labour Department guidance and cannot be done unilaterally.

When should I purchase domestic helper insurance — before or after the helper starts?

Employees' Compensation (EC) insurance must be purchased BEFORE the helper's first day of work. This is a legal requirement with no grace period — the policy must be active from Day 1. Comprehensive maid insurance packages (EC + medical + personal accident) should also be purchased before Day 1 so that any work-related incident on the helper's first day is covered. SeekHelpers reminds employers to purchase insurance during the final pre-arrival checklist.