Insurance Guide

What started out as yet another mid-August typhoon, Typhoon Hato quickly intensified in strength as it barreled down on Hong Kong, unleashing hurricane force winds and rain, prompting the city to raise its first T10 warning in 5 years. As the typhoon raged, videos and reports of damage to homes and property were quick to come in with the SCMP reporting that there could be upwards of HKD 8 billion in losses. This typhoon and the damage it caused has certainly led to many people in the city wondering whether home insurance will cover damage from storms like this. Here, we aim to take a look at what you need to know about home insurance and how it covers damage from typhoons and other major storms.

Hong Kong is a unique city with steep verdant hills running right into the ocean that, while pretty, do limit the urban sprawl common to so many other cities with similar population. Therefore, in order to house 7.7 million people, buildings go up rather than out. This means that many of us are living in high rise apartments that can be among the smallest in the world. These cramped conditions do present a number of risks, chief among them fire. Here we take a look at the different types of home-related insurance available in the city, and an interesting situation revolving around coverage and claim settlement.

The tragic fire in Ngau Tau Kok is finally out and many people have been heaping well-earned praise on the firefighters who battled the blaze for over 100 hours. In the aftermath of this fire however, a number of important questions need to be asked, especially when it comes to storing things in the increasing number of storage units that are cropping up in the city and whether this stuff will be covered by insurance.

In late June 2016 Mercer, one of the world’s largest business consulting firms, released the 2016 version of their annual Cost of Living report . Unsurprisingly, the city at the top as the most expensive place to live is Hong Kong. While there are a number of drivers behind this ranking, it is real estate that is the single biggest reason Hong Kong is so expensive to live in. These days, if anyone wants to purchase a home in the city, they are going to have to take out a mortgage. If you are considering purchasing property in Hong Kong there are a number of things you need to be aware of when it comes to your mortgage, including how it links with fire insurance.

According to the Hong Kong Fire Services, fire crews responded to 34,320 fire calls in 2015, or about 94 calls a day. These fires are most commonly attributed to accidents occurring during the preparation of food, careless handling of flammable items, and electrical faults. While building and fire codes are stringent in the city, there is still a chance that your apartment could be affected by a fire. Because so many of us stand to lose so much, it would be a good idea to mitigate losses by securing a strong fire insurance policy. In this article we look define fire insurance policies, look at the different types of fire policies available in Hong Kong, and how fire insurance premiums are set.

Summer is finally here, and for most people that means just one thing: it’s finally time for some much needed rest and relaxation. Ideally, when leaving home for more than just a few days, you want to put your home in the hands of a trustworthy house sitter. It’s one of the safest ways to make sure nothing bad happens while you are away. But if finding a friend to house sit isn’t an option, here are a few important tips you should review before skipping town, to make sure your summer getaway is as stress-free as possible.

So many people in crowded Hong Kong have very little space for themselves, let alone a pet, so many opt for smaller, easier companions like fish or cats. Still, there are over 247,000 dogs living in the city and many are treated as an indispensable member of the family (or sometimes as a status symbol). Dogs are even shown to live longer in Hong Kong than in other places around the world, perhaps because of the care and attention they receive from families with fewer children than in other countries. Many families with dogs opt to live in outlying areas of Hong Kong, rather than smack in the middle of the city, in order to give their pooch room to roam. But wherever their home may be, all dogs love a change of pace and extra exercise, and that’s a great reason to visit dog-friendly areas all around Hong Kong. By seeking out these doggie hot-spots, pups get the chance to sniff something new, while their humanoid owners can enjoy exploring the city and spending time outdoors. Here are some ideas to get started on adventures with a dog in tow.

It may come as a suprrise to some but, every year people get injured and even killed in household accidents. There’s no need to be alarmed but it pays to be aware. There are often simple things that can be done to help guard homes and families from these hazards. Being informed of the potential dangers is the first step.