Insurance in Finland

When you move to Finland or stay in Finland for a longer period of time, you may need various types of private insurance. Some types of insurance, such as motor liability insurance if you own a car, are mandatory, while home insurance and travel insurance, for example, are voluntary but often necessary in practice.

Below is information about the most common types of insurance in Finland.

• If you rent a home in Finland, the landlord will often require you to have valid home insurance.
• All motor vehicle owners are required to take out motor liability insurance, but car insurance, i.e. comprehensive insurance, is voluntary.
• Insurance companies offer voluntary health insurance policies that provide greater financial resources for treating illness or health conditions than statutory health insurance.
• Accident insurance covers expenses incurred as a result of an accident, such as medical and medication costs.
• Travel insurance provides additional coverage for temporary stays abroad.

In addition to these, private insurance policies can be taken out, for example, to cover other property damage, death, or loan repayment. Read more on the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

You should compare insurance policies to get an overview of the general price levels of insurance companies and the types of products they offer. Carefully review the different insurance policies before making your choice. Read more about comparing insurance policies on the FINEs website. 

There are several insurance companies operating in Finland. Below are examples of companies that offer accident and personal insurance. The list is not exhaustive.

Most insurance companies do not grant personal insurance to persons living in Finland temporarily; a person must be living in Finland permanently or be covered by Finnish social security. Home insurance, on the other hand, can usually also be granted to persons living in Finland temporarily. 

The requirements are based on the companies’ own practices and not on the law, so you can ask insurance companies for more detailed information.

You can get advice and guidance on insurance matters and help with disputes from the Finnish Financial Ombudsman Bureau FINE. For matters concerning consumer protection (unclear or unreasonable insurance terms and conditions, misleading marketing), you can find more information on the website of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority.