Insurance in Japan Part 3: Must-Have Disaster & Property Coverage for Expats (+ Free Downloadable Checklist)

If you’re living in Japan, this is the insurance blog you don’t want to skip.

Unlike optional private medical or life insurance, fire, earthquake, and property coverage are essential. I’ve personally purchased all of them. Plus, earthquake insurance, just like life insurance, is tax-deductible—either via your year-end adjustment or annual tax return.

Japan is no stranger to typhoons, earthquakes, and torrential rain. Let’s break down what’s available, what’s required, and what’s truly essential to protect your home—and your peace of mind.

Can Expats Buy Property Insurance in Japan?

Yes, you can. Most insurers will accept foreign residents if you:

• Reside in Japan (own or rent)

• Have a Japanese bank account for premium payments and claim payouts

• Hold a valid resident card or permanent resident status

• Understand the insurance terms in Japanese (or have someone help you)

💡 Tip: Some companies—such as Tokio Marine, Sompo Japan —are foreigner-friendly. See they have sites in English !

1. 🔥Fire Insurance (火災保険 / Kasai Hoken)

What It Covers: Fire insurance typically covers more than just fire:

• Fire damage

• Lightning strikes

• Burst pipes

• Wind or typhoon damage

• Water leaks (from pipes or upstairs neighbors)

• Theft (in some cases)

• Vandalism or riots (optional)

Do You Need It?
Yes !  If you rent, many landlords include fire insurance as part of your lease agreement. But don’t assume it covers your belongings.

💡 Common Expat Pain Point: Many policies cover only the building—not your furniture, electronics, or valuables.

✅ Tip: Choose a policy that includes contents coverage (家財保険 / kazai hoken) to protect your personal property.

🚨 Important: Fires caused by earthquakes, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions are not covered under fire insurance. That’s where earthquake insurance comes in.

2. 🌍 Earthquake Insurance (地震保険 / Jishin Hoken)

What It Covers: Only available as a rider to fire insurance. It covers:

• Structural damage from quakes, aftershocks, or tsunamis

• Damage to household contents caused by seismic activity

Government-Backed & Subsidized: The Japanese government shares the risk with insurers to keep premiums affordable. But payouts are capped:

• Up to ¥50 million for buildings

• Up to ¥10 million for household contents

💡 Common Expat Pain Point:
“Will my high-rise apartment survive a quake?”
Even in quake-resistant buildings (post-1981), your contents may not survive. Earthquake insurance helps recover those losses.

✅ Tip: If you own your home or condo, this is essential. If you rent, consider it—especially in older buildings or high-rise towers. Pair it with contents insurance for full coverage.

3. 🌊 Flood & Typhoon Coverage (水災 / Suisai)

Japan’s rainy season and typhoons can bring devastating floods, especially in riverside areas or low-lying zones.

What It Covers: Depending on your fire policy and riders:

• Flash flooding or river overflow

• Landslides

• Wind-driven rain and typhoon-related damage

💡 Common Expat Pain Point:
“I live near a river—am I covered?”
Not always. Many base plans exclude flood damage unless you add a specific rider.

✅ Tip: Check your city’s flood risk using a hazard map ([地域名 + ハザードマップ]). If you live near rivers like Arakawa (Tokyo), or in flood-prone regions like Fukuoka or Hiroshima—add flood coverage.

4. 📦 Contents Insurance (家財保険 / Kazai Hoken)

What It Covers: Your personal belongings—damaged or lost due to:

• Fire or water leaks

• Theft

• Earthquake (if added)

• Other disasters

💡 Common Expat Pain Point:
“My landlord has insurance—but it didn’t cover my stuff.”
Correct—landlord insurance protects the building, not your property.

✅ Tip: Even in furnished rentals, contents insurance is smart. Replacing a few electronics could cost hundreds of thousands of yen. Coverage starts at just ¥2,000–¥4,000/year.

What to Watch Out For

• Language barrier: Many policies are only available in Japanese. Choose a provider with experience serving foreign residents.

• Policy terms: Fire/earthquake insurance often runs 2–5 years upfront. Not great if you’re staying short-term.

• Bundled policies: Some agencies offer fire + contents insurance as part of your lease—ask what’s included.

💡 Real Expat Stories

✅ Maria, teacher in Saitama:
Her upstairs neighbor’s washing machine leaked—her apartment flooded, and her laptop fried. Fire insurance didn’t cover it—but kazai hoken did.

✅ Alex, consultant in Osaka:
After a mild quake cracked his ceiling, earthquake insurance covered repairs—even though the building wasn’t totaled.

✅ Wrap-Up: What You Should Do

✔️ If you're renting:
Make sure your lease’s insurance includes contents coverage.

✔️ If you're near a river or in an older building:
Add earthquake and flood coverage.

✔️ Free, insurance-neutral advice
Hoken no Madoguchi offers free, unbiased insurance consultations. However, please note that their staff typically speak only Japanese.

✔️ Want to compare prices?
Check out kakaku.com to compare premiums and plans.

🎁 Bonus Freebie:
Download the Insurance Glossary Cheat Sheet] from the Freebie Shelf at NavigatorJapan.com.

🧳 Coming Next:
Part 4 – Travel insurance, pet insurance, and more “extras”: what’s worth it and what’s not.