Home insurance in Finland (kotivakuutus) – why landlords expect it and what it costs

Your landlord's building is insured; your things and your mistakes are not. That is what kotivakuutus is for, and why the lease mentions it.

What it covers

Part	Finnish	What it does
Belongings	irtaimistovakuutus	theft, fire, water damage, broken phone if you add it
Liability	vastuuvakuutus	damage you cause to others, up to a high limit
Legal expenses	oikeusturvavakuutus	lawyer costs in disputes, for example with a landlord

The sum insured for belongings is your choice; a furnished rental needs less than a family home. The excess (omavastuu) is typically 150 to 300 euros.

What it costs

Five to fifteen euros a month for a rented flat. The variables: the city (Helsinki costs more), the sum insured, the excess, and whether you add extras like phone or bicycle cover. Bundling with car or travel insurance at the same company gives a discount.

The companies

If, OP Pohjola, LähiTapiola, Fennia and Turva are the big ones; all quote online in minutes with a henkilötunnus and bank authentication, and If and OP Pohjola have full English service. Comparison sites exist in Finnish; for a basic policy the prices are close and the English-language app may be the deciding factor.

How to get it

Get a quote online from two companies with your address, the sum insured and the excess.
Authenticate with bank credentials and pay the first instalment.
Send the policy certificate to the landlord if the lease asks for it.

What else you need, and what you do not

Travel insurance: worth it for trips outside the EU; inside the EU the European Health Insurance Card from Kela covers emergency care.
Car insurance: compulsory third-party (liikennevakuutus) for every car, plus optional comprehensive (kasko).
Health insurance: not needed; public healthcare and occupational health cover you. Private health insurance is a luxury some families take for faster private appointments.
Life and income insurance: through the union's unemployment fund for income, and optional life cover if you have a mortgage.

Frequently asked questions

Is home insurance compulsory in Finland?

Not by law, but most leases require it and every landlord expects it. The building itself is insured by the housing company; your policy covers your belongings, your liability for damage you cause, and legal costs.

How much does home insurance cost?

For a rented apartment, typically five to fifteen euros a month depending on the sum insured, the excess and the city. Students and young people often get a cheaper package.

What is the liability part?

Vastuuvakuutus pays when you cause damage to others, for example a washing machine hose that floods the apartment below. It is the part that makes landlords insist on the policy.