What insurance do I need to provide for my domestic helper in Hong Kong?

Overview

When you hire a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong, two types of insurance are legally required — not optional extras. Getting these right from day one protects both you and your helper, and the Labour Department treats non-compliance seriously.

Employees' Compensation Insurance (Mandatory)

Under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282), every employer in Hong Kong — including domestic employers — must take out Employees' Compensation (EC) insurance before the helper starts work. This covers:

• Work-related injuries (including accidents in your home)
• Occupational diseases arising from the employment
• Death or permanent incapacity compensation

Failure to hold valid EC insurance is a criminal offence. Fines can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Do not delay on this — arrange it before your helper's first day.

Medical Insurance (SEC Clause 14)

The Standard Employment Contract (ID407) clause 14 requires you to provide free medical treatment, including hospitalisation costs. To cover this obligation in a manageable way, you must take out a medical insurance policy providing at least HK$15,000 inpatient cover per year.

Key points:

• The HK$15,000 minimum is an inpatient (hospitalisation) threshold — it does not set a ceiling, and more comprehensive cover is often worth it
• Outpatient cover is not legally mandated, but many employers add it to a package plan as a practical buffer
• If your helper requires medical treatment that exceeds her cover, you remain legally responsible for the cost under the SEC

Who Pays — and What You Cannot Do

The Labour Department is explicit: employers bear the full cost of all insurance premiums. You cannot:

• Deduct insurance costs from your helper's wages
• Ask your helper to reimburse premiums
• Include insurance as a component of the Minimum Allowable Wage

Any deduction of this kind from wages is unlawful under the Employment Ordinance.

Typical Costs and Providers

A basic domestic helper combined package (EC + medical) from a major insurer typically runs HK$1,500–HK$3,000 per year. Prices vary based on the helper's age, the level of cover, and whether outpatient is included.

When comparing plans, check:

• Annual inpatient limit (minimum HK$15,000 required)
• EC coverage limits
• Pre-existing condition exclusions
• Claim process simplicity

For a side-by-side comparison of the plans on the market, see choosing medical insurance for your domestic helper.

What This Means for You

• Arrange EC insurance before your helper's start date — no exceptions
• Choose a medical plan with at least HK$15,000 inpatient cover to satisfy SEC clause 14
• Budget HK$1,500–HK$3,000/year for a basic combined package
• Never deduct insurance premiums from wages — it is unlawful
• For a full picture of what hiring costs, see total costs of hiring a helper
• If an injury does occur, see what to do when a domestic helper is injured at work for the reporting steps and compensation rules

Working with a Licensed Agency

At GMA (EAA Licence 81133), we walk new employers through insurance requirements before every contract is signed — so you don't discover a gap at the wrong moment. If you're starting the hiring process, our team in Sha Tin can advise on what coverage is standard for your household situation.

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