Is insurance mandatory for renters? Should home insurance be purchased by the landlord or the tenant? Kwiksure clarifies the responsibilities of tenants and landlords, details the coverage of tenant home insurance (such as third-party liability and property damage from water), and provides information on rental insurance comparisons and pricing.
Home insurance plans for homeowners and tenants differ significantly in their coverage and are not interchangeable. Both homeowners and tenants should purchase home insurance to ensure comprehensive protection.
Homeowner's Home Insurance is designed specifically for landlords of rental properties; its main protections include loss of rental income and protection against tenant misbehavior. Compensation will be provided if the tenant maliciously damages the property or defaults on rent; the landlord will also be protected against accidental damage to appliances and property placed in the rental unit, as well as legal liability arising from bodily injury or property damage to third parties caused by structural problems of the unit (such as concrete peeling).
Tenant home insurance primarily covers tenants' personal property losses and legal liabilities within the rented unit. This includes legal liability for damage or destruction of the tenant's furniture and personal belongings in the unit due to accidents (such as fire, typhoon, theft, burst water pipes, etc.), as well as legal liability for bodily injury or property damage to third parties caused by the tenant's negligence.
If a water pipe bursts in your rented apartment, causing a leak and damaging the ceiling of the apartment below or in a neighbor's unit, third-party liability insurance in your home insurance policy can cover property damage caused by the accident, as well as any legal liabilities arising therefrom. For more information on home insurance coverage for leaks, please see the Kwiksure special discussion on this topic.
Whether you are a tenant or a homeowner, home insurance usually covers personal injury and property damage caused by accidents, including third-party liability protection for injuries or property damage caused by factors such as falling aluminum windows and renovation materials, or accidents occurring within the house.
If you unfortunately encounter a burglary that results in the loss or damage of valuables inside your home, the home insurance policy's coverage for home and personal belongings will compensate the insured for their property loss based on the maximum coverage amount and the compensation limit for each set of home and personal belongings; it will also cover the replacement of damaged door locks caused by burglary or attempted burglary.
Some insurance plans cover property damage caused by flooding or power outages due to typhoons, such as spoilage of refrigerated food or drinks due to a power outage, or damage to valuables and appliances caused by water entering the home due to typhoons. However, policyholders need to carefully read the coverage of the insurance they purchase, including whether the terms and conditions specify which typhoon signals and areas are covered.
Some more comprehensive home insurance policies offer rent deposit protection, covering the deposit paid by the tenant if the landlord cannot repay it due to bankruptcy.
Example: A 25-year-old private housing unit with a usable area of 450 square feet is insured and has no home insurance claims record within the past 3 years.
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Comparison of popular tenant home insurance policies (HKD) |
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|
Personal liability coverage (global) |
8,000,000 |
9,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
|
Total coverage of home and property |
500,000 |
750,000 |
750,000 |
1,200,000 |
|
Maximum compensation for each group of household items |
75,000 |
90,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
|
Each group of personal items |
4,500 (Global) |
5,000 (Global) |
20,000 (Home Furnishings) |
6,500 (Global) |
|
Each set of valuables (home furnishings) |
7,500 |
9,000 |
20,000 |
10,000 |
|
Temporary residence |
60,000 / 1,200 per day |
70,000 / 1,500 per day |
60,000 / 3,000 per day |
80,000 / 1,800 per day |
|
Refrigerated food spoils |
5,000 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
|
Personal documents |
1,500 (within Hong Kong) |
1,800 (within Hong Kong) |
5,000 (Global) |
2,000 (within Hong Kong) |
|
Money stolen |
2,000 (within Hong Kong) |
2,000 (within Hong Kong) |
5,000 (Global) |
2,000 (within Hong Kong) |
|
Electronic communication products/notebook computers, tablet computers |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Mobile phones 2,500 / Computers 5,000 (worldwide) |
not applicable |
|
24-hour home support service |
include |
include |
Includes (time periods where you can skip making change) |
include |
|
Domestic helper's property |
1,500 / 500 per item |
1,500 / 500 per item |
not applicable |
1,500 / 500 per item |
|
Excess |
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|
Burglary |
— |
— |
5,000 or 10% loss |
— |
|
Water loss |
500 |
500 |
0 |
500 |
|
Other accidents (excluding fire, lightning, or explosion) |
1,000 |
1,000 |
— |
1,000 |
|
premium |
680 |
980 |
1,262 |
1,580 |
*The above information is for reference only as of November 12, 2026. All information is subject to the announcements of the relevant insurance companies.
Kwiksure offers a range of insurance plans to provide you with comprehensive protection. Simply enter your basic home information, and Kwiksure instantly compares coverage and pricing of different home insurance plans for free.
The excess is the pre-agreed amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket toward an insurance claim before your insurer covers the rest. Home insurance policies typically have different excesses for different accidents, which may be a fixed amount or calculated as a percentage of the loss. Tenants must compare the excess for different accident coverages and third-party liability under various insurance plans before purchasing insurance to avoid incurring a high excess.
The structure and type of property directly affect whether an insurance company will accept the claim and the premium amount. Insurance companies typically have stricter approval processes for properties over 30 years old, which may result in higher excess or even rejection. Regarding property type, tenement buildings are generally older, and some insurance companies may consider them a high-risk category or require individual underwriting. Village houses have more unique structures; if they involve rooftops, gardens, or even unauthorized structures, insurance companies may increase premiums or refuse coverage depending on the circumstances. For details, please consult your insurance company.
While home insurance includes coverage for personal property, there is a maximum benefit limit for valuables such as jewelry, watches, and designer handbags. Therefore, when purchasing home insurance, in addition to comparing the sum insured, you should also pay attention to the specific benefit limits for each item. If you own valuables, you should declare them to the insurance company before applying for insurance.
Even if the homeowner has purchased home insurance, tenants still need to purchase tenant insurance. Owner's insurance covers the building structure, owner-made renovations, the owner's third-party liability, and the risk of a tenant defaulting on rent or committing territorial misconduct. However, it does not cover the protection of the tenant's personal belongings upon moving in, nor does it cover the tenant's legal liability for damages to third parties caused by negligence.
Insurance may cover temporary accommodation expenses depending on the circumstances, but only if the leak is caused by an insured event covered by the policy, such as a sudden burst water pipe causing severe water leakage that renders the unit uninhabitable. If the leak is only minor seepage or damp walls, or if it's due to structural aging in the building, the insurance company may reject the claim.
Home insurance typically remains in effect during the short overlap period of relocation. Some home insurance policies even offer relocation coverage, covering damage to insured items during transport by professional moving companies. However, the policyholder must proactively notify the insurance company to change the insured address and have the insurance company recalculate the premium based on the property type, size, and age of the new residence; otherwise, the insurance plan may become invalid.
Kwiksure has over 20 years of experience in the home insurance industry, comparing quotes from over 60 insurers in Hong Kong. Use our online quotation tool now to get a free home insurance quote!
The above information is for reference only. Kwiksure takes no responsibility for the accuracy and timeliness of the information. For the coverage, mode of compensation, benefit limit and premium levels of any specific insurance plan, please refer to the relevant policy terms.
Cassidy is a content creator at Kwiksure. She mainly writes about cars and travel. She has previously worked in advertising creation and online media editing. She loves writing and is keen on discovering the latest topics. She is committed to bringing fresh, interesting and practical information to readers.
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