Zurich Hong Kong launches new insurance plan for domestic helpers

The plan comes with multiple new protections for employers and employees.

Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) has announced the launched of its latest product aimed at domestic helpers and their employees called ‘Helpersafe’ Domestic Helper Insurance Plan.

The plan aims to meet the ever-changing protection needs of employers and domestic helpers. In addition to the coverage of traditional domestic helper insurance plans, Zurich Hong Kong has expanded the scope of support, to include protections such as replacement expenses caused by specific events, plus the outpatient expenses and hospitalization fees due to a domestic helper's diagnosis of cancer or heart disease. 

Helpersafe will pay the replacement expenses of up to HK$5,000 per policy year if the replacement is necessary due to the following events:

• The domestic helper resigns within three months of the initial contract; or
• The domestic helper commits fraud or dishonest acts; or
• The domestic helper goes missing or leaves without prior notice; or
• The domestic helper intentionally or negligently causes injury to the household children or elderly; or
• The domestic helper is repatriated to his/her home country as he/she is medically unfit to carry on work

Additionally, the domestic helper can enjoy up to HK$80,000 hospitalization benefit per policy year. They also have the protection of network and non-network outpatient medical benefits. If the domestic helper visits the selected network of general practitioners for consultation, neither co-payment nor claims submission is needed. Meanwhile, virtual consultation service is available for domestic helpers to seek medical help without having the need to go outside.

Another offering Zurich Hong Kong added is the option to include serious illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. "Helpersafe" has especially included heart disease and cancer as an optional benefit, offering related outpatient expenses and hospitalization protection – up to HK$100k per policy year with the Deluxe Plan, and up to HK$50k per policy year with the Classic Plan.

"Helpersafe" annual premium can be as low as HK$946, equivalent to less than HK$2.6 a day. And with as little as HK$150 a year, or lower than HK$0.5 a day, the insured may add the optional benefit of the heart disease and cancer cover.