Home Insurance in Sweden (Hemförsäkring) Explained
Home insurance, called hemförsäkring in Sweden, is one of the first things to sort out when you settle in – and it is strongly recommended for everyone, including renters. It protects your belongings against theft, fire and water damage, and usually includes personal liability, legal cover and travel cover as standard. This guide explains hemförsäkring, the different types, how it works for renters and owners, and how to get cover even before you have a personnummer.
Best home insurers in Sweden
These insurers are used by expats and offer clear cover. Always check the current terms and get a quote before you buy.
- Hedvig – a fully digital insurer with an easy app and English support, great for newcomers.
- Evoli – a modern, digital insurer with flexible cover.
- If – one of the largest insurers in the Nordics, with comprehensive cover.
- Trygg-Hansa – a well-established Swedish insurer with a full range of home cover.
What is hemförsäkring?
Hemförsäkring is Sweden’s standard home insurance. It covers your possessions if they are stolen or damaged by fire, water and similar events, and it usually bundles several protections that surprise many newcomers:
- Contents cover for your belongings (furniture, electronics and so on)
- Personal liability if you accidentally cause damage or injury to others
- Legal cover for certain disputes
- Travel cover – typically around 45 days per trip, one of the most useful extras
- Assault and ID-theft protection
Home insurance is not legally required in Sweden, but it is inexpensive and strongly recommended – and many landlords expect tenants to have it.
Types of home insurance
You pick the cover that matches your home:
- Hemförsäkring – the base contents insurance everyone should have, including renters.
- Villaförsäkring – for a house or townhouse, adding cover for the building itself.
- Bostadsrättsförsäkring (bostadsrättstillägg) – an add-on for owners of a co-op apartment, covering parts of the flat you are responsible for.
- Fritidshusförsäkring – for a holiday home.
- Studentförsäkring – affordable cover tailored to students.
Renting or owning
If you rent (hyresrätt), you need hemförsäkring for your own belongings – the landlord insures the building, not your things. If you own a co-op apartment (bostadsrätt), take hemförsäkring plus a bostadsrättstillägg. If you own a house (villa), you need villaförsäkring, which also covers the structure.
Home insurance without a personnummer
Most insurers ask for a personnummer when you take out a policy, but some digital insurers may accept a samordningsnummer (coordination number) – it is worth asking. As a renter you should arrange contents cover early, as a digital insurer with English support (such as Hedvig) is usually the easiest starting point for newcomers.
How much does home insurance cost?
The price depends on the type of home, its location, how much cover you want and the insurer, so compare a few quotes. If you also drive, it can be worth bundling with car insurance in Sweden from the same insurer to save money.
FAQ about home insurance in Sweden
No, home insurance does not apply to things stolen from your home during a party. You have allowed or permitted the person to stay or enter your home during the party. If someone breaks through your home without your permission, home insurance will apply to that case only
Yes, home insurance applies to all the things that you have borrowed, rented, or owned. However, if you opt for all-risk home insurance, it will not apply to all borrowed items. But on the other hand, if you have any tablet, computer, or laptop at your home that you have got from your child’s school or your office, this insurance will cover these items.
In short, yes. Your credit score influences your home insurance since the loan providers tend to look at your credit score before giving you any insurance. In this way, they test how much risk they are taking by providing you with insurance. Therefore, a good credit score is a must for getting home insurance.
Yes, it is. Travel insurance that applies to private journeys of up to forty-five days worldwide is a part of home insurance.
There are no such laws that make it mandatory to have insurance for your home or apartment. However, it is always useful to have insurance so that you can easily escape any unexpected danger or damage in your home. Therefore, once you buy a mortgage, the lender may insist you get quick insurance for your property to ensure the ultimate safety of your home in the longer run.