Home insurance
- Home insurance is the best financial protection against unexpected situations, such as a fire or water damage.
- Take out home insurance starting from your moving-in date. Home insurance cannot be made retroactively effective.
- You may be liable for damages you cause. For this reason, it is a good idea to have liability insurance.
- Without home insurance, you may also end up paying for damage caused by neighbors.
Home insurance at Hoas
Hoas does not insure your home on your behalf. We also do not compensate for stolen or damaged belongings. We recommend that every tenant takes out their own home insurance. Home insurance can be purchased from any insurance provider of your choice.
For tenancy agreements starting on 1 January 2026 or later, home insurance is always mandatory.
For tenancy agreements that started before 1 January 2026, home insurance is mandatory if the apartment has a dishwasher or washing machine.
Home insurance from your move-in date
You should take out home insurance so that it becomes effective from the day you move in. You can purchase home insurance as soon as your move-in date is confirmed and your tenancy agreement has been signed. Select your move-in date as the start date of your home insurance.
If you forget to arrange home insurance in the middle of the moving process, you can and should take it out at any point during your tenancy. However, home insurance cannot be made retroactively effective and will be valid no earlier than the date of purchase. Taking out home insurance is therefore no longer useful once the damage has already occurred.
What does home insurance cover?
Finnish legislation does not define what home insurance must cover. Insurance companies sell very different insurance packages that together form home insurance. It is your responsibility to check carefully what your policy covers.
In general, basic-level coverage is sufficient for students if they do not yet own many valuable belongings. It should cover at least the following:
- Fire (including smoke or explosion)
- Water damage (pipe leaks)
- Natural phenomena (floods, storms, lightning strikes)
- Crime (theft, burglary, vandalism)
Liability insurance is important for tenants
Home insurance covers damage caused by accidents or unexpected events, but it is also advisable to protect yourself against damage you cause through liability insurance. Liability insurance can usually be added as part of a home insurance policy.
Home insurance does not cover negligence
Even home insurance does not cover damage caused by neglect or carelessness. You can take steps yourself to improve the protection of your belongings. Here are a few examples:
- Secure your storage unit with a proper lock and do not store particularly valuable items there.
- Always close the water taps of dishwashers and washing machines after use.
- Have washing machines installed by a professional.
- Do not take a shower while intoxicated.
How does home insurance work?
The basic idea of home insurance is simple: you pay a regular insurance fee, and if your home or belongings are damaged, the insurance helps cover the resulting costs.
Reporting damage
Please always notify Hoas immediately if any damage occurs. Also submit a damage claim to your insurance company without delay.
Moving
Home insurance does not automatically transfer to a new home. Please always inform your insurance company when you move and whenever there are changes in your household (for example, moving in with a partner).
More information
Useful and impartial information about home insurance can be found, for example, here:
Frequently asked questionsShowClose
How do I choose an insurance company?
Compare home insurance prices, terms and coverage. If you have several insurance policies (for example, car insurance), it may be beneficial to keep them with the same insurance company.
Many insurance companies may offer discounts or campaigns for young adults and students. It is a good idea to check available offers when comparing insurance policies.
Hoas does not have a partner for insurance matters and cannot recommend a specific insurance company.
What information do I need to take out home insurance?
You will generally need information about the type of apartment, its address, floor area and number of occupants. You will also need a Finnish personal identity code.
In a shared apartment, you can calculate the floor area to be insured by adding together the size of your room and your share of the common areas. The apartment floor plan usually shows both the total floor area and the size of each individual room. You can calculate the size of the common areas by subtracting the combined size of all rooms from the total floor area. Then divide the common area floor space by the number of residents to determine your personal share.
Can I get home insurance with a record of payment default?
Some insurance companies offer home insurance to people who have lost their credit record. These insurance packages usually include certain conditions, such as advance payment and more limited coverage. It is best to contact insurance companies directly for more information.
Do I need home insurance for a room in a shared apartment?
Yes, you need your own home insurance even if you live in a shared apartment. Insurance companies may have different policies and terms regarding insurance for shared apartments. We recommend that you insure not only your room but also any personal belongings in shared spaces. Insurance covers only the belongings of the policyholder.
Does every tenant need their own home insurance?
In shared apartments or living with roommates, each tenant must have their own home insurance.
If you live in a family apartment with, for example, your partner, one home insurance policy is usually sufficient. The insurance generally covers the belongings of the policyholder and other people who permanently live with them in the same household.
Is foreign home insurance valid in Finland?
Generally not. Homes located in Finland are usually insured through a Finnish insurance company. In addition, foreign insurance companies often do not provide home insurance for homes located in Finland.
Claims processing, customer service and damage inspections are also usually smoother with a Finnish insurance company.
Can I take out home insurance before moving to Finland?
Home insurance generally requires a Finnish personal identity code. However, it is advisable to contact the insurance company’s customer service in advance and ask how to proceed so that the insurance can become effective as quickly as possible.
Can I take out insurance without a Finnish personal identity code?
Taking out home insurance generally requires a Finnish personal identity code. More information about applying for a Finnish personal identity code is available on the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) website: Moving to Finland as a Foreigner
Do exchange students need home insurance?
If you are an exchange student through one of our partner institutions, you do not need your own home insurance. Instead, you must have valid travel insurance. Read more: Exchange students
Insurance glossaryShowClose
Insurance = You pay the insurance company a small fee regularly, and in return the insurance protects you financially when damage occurs.
Deductible = The amount you must pay yourself if damage occurs. The insurance covers the remaining compensable amount. You can usually choose the deductible amount yourself, and it is typically a few hundred euros. The deductible affects the price of the insurance.
Insurance compensation = The amount paid to you by the insurance company when a covered loss occurs.
Household belongings = All belongings and furniture in your home or in other areas included in your tenancy agreement, such as a storage unit. Examples include clothing, furniture, textiles, consumer electronics, household appliances, sports equipment and hobby gear.
Liability insurance = If you accidentally cause damage to another person’s property or to an apartment, liability insurance may cover these costs. Liability insurance covers expenses for which you are legally liable.
Legal expenses insurance = Covers costs arising from the use of a lawyer in disputes, criminal cases and petition matters.
Protection guidelines = Instructions included in the insurance terms that explain how damage can be prevented through your own actions. If these instructions have not been followed and this has contributed to the damage, the insurance company may reduce the compensation paid or reject the claim entirely.
