Foreign Domestic Helper Q&A Vol. 1
Coverage, Costs, Third-Party Liability & Dental Expenses
Hong Kong people are very busy, and many families have both parents working. Not everyone has the luxury of extended family support for childcare or the time and energy to cook and clean after work. As a result, many opt to solve these issues by hiring a foreign domestic helper(FDH). Securing a comprehensive foreign domestic helper insurance not only safeguards the helper but also protects the employer's wallet. Below are common questions and answers regarding foreign domestic helper insurance.
Q: What are the responsibilities of the employer regarding the foreign domestic helper?
Ans: Employers are responsible for the FDH's salary, accommodation, meals, and medical expenses (providing free medical care). According to the Hong Kong Employment Ordinance (Chapter 282), employers are required to purchase employees' compensation for any full-time or part-time employees; failure to do so is a violation of the law. The Standard Employment Contract specifically states that employers are also responsible for the helper's medical expenses, whether the injury occurs during work or leisure time.
Related Article: 7 Considerations for Choosing Foreign Domestic Helpers Insurance
Q: What is the coverage of foreign domestic helper insurance?
Ans: Standard employment insurance typically covers work injuries, personal accidents, and public liability. However, it may not fully cover the requirements for providing free medical care to foreign domestic helpers. Comprehensive foreign domestic helper insurance, often termed "Comprehensive Helper Insurance," includes additional coverage such as hospitalization and surgical expenses, outpatient expenses, dental expenses, integrity protection, re-hiring costs, hospital cash allowance, and loan repayment protection.
Related Article: What is Foreign Domestic Helper Insurance?
Q: How much does foreign domestic helper insurance cost?
Ans: Costs range from a few hundred to over a thousand Hong Kong dollars. Lower-priced plans may offer less coverage and lower sums insured. In the unfortunate event of a severe illness, hospitalization, or surgery, employers may need to cover the price difference.
Q: If the foreign domestic helper causes injury to someone else, is it covered by the insurance?
Ans: Most foreign domestic helper insurance includes coverage for third-party liability. This means that if the helper's negligence leads to injury or damage to a third party, the employer is covered for legal liabilities. The coverage amount varies from $50,000 to $200,000 per year, and some plans may have excess fees.
Q: If the foreign domestic helper causes injury to a family member at home, can you claim?
Ans: Public liability or personal liability coverage does not include the employer and their family members.
Q: Does foreign domestic helper insurance cover dental expenses such as tooth extraction, wisdom teeth removal, teeth cleaning, and braces?
Ans: While most comprehensive foreign domestic helper insurance covers dental expenses, not all dental services are covered. Accidental dental expenses, such as tooth extraction, wisdom tooth surgery, filling, oral surgery, and X-rays, are usually covered. However, routine dental check-ups, teeth cleaning, tooth filling, and braces are typically not covered.
This concludes the first Q&A article, and the next part will address more common questions about domestic helper insurance.
Related product:
California Insurance's latest foreign domestic helper insurance offers the highest coverage in Hong Kong with up to HK$88,000 coverage for hospitalization and surgical expenses. It also provides “New Starter Benefit” that offers probationary protection and “Open Cover” policy reservations for up to 365 days. Learn more or apply now.
The information provided in this article is for general reference only and should not be considered as any form of advice. Our company assumes no responsibility for its use
