What do you owe if your domestic worker is hurt at work, and can your home policy cover it?

Some home policies leave your own employees out of the ordinary liability section. Check yours before you rely on it.

What does the law make you pay?

The domestic workers law lists the employer’s duties. Article 11 says the employer must:¹

• “Bear the costs of the medical treatment for the Worker in accordance with the health system in force in the State or provide health insurance”.
• “Pay the necessary compensation resulting from work injuries and occupational diseases” at the amounts set under the labour relations law, Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.

It adds: “Such obligation shall not be forfeited by the Employer unless the concerned insurance company pays the compensation stipulated in this Clause.”¹

So the duty to pay stays with you. An insurance policy that pays the compensation is what releases you from it.

Does the ordinary liability section cover your worker?

It depends on the wording. Liva’s occupier’s liability excludes liability arising from “A contract of service and arising out of the work they are employed to do”.² Liva also defines your household to include “resident domestic servants employed by you”, and its liability section excludes injury to any member of the household.² GIG Gulf’s occupier’s liability section covers accidental bodily injury “to any person including Your domestic helper(s) and employees”, up to AED 5,000,000, if you live permanently in the home.³

What do home policy add-ons pay?

Sources: Liva’s 2026 wording, GIG Gulf’s handbook, Salama’s flyer, Union Insurance’s table and the Tokio Marine and Sukoon product pages.²³⁴⁵⁶⁷

An accident benefit pays a fixed amount whether or not you were at fault. Employer’s liability pays what you are legally liable for, up to the limit. They are not the same cover.

Are your worker’s belongings covered?

Often, yes. Under the 2025 Civil Transactions Law, fire insurance on your movables “as a whole” extends to items belonging to your family and to “persons residing with them who provide them with services” (Article 974).⁸ GIG Gulf’s contents section covers property “belonging to resident domestic helpers”.³ Liva’s contents definition excludes “Money and stamps belonging to resident domestic servants”.²

What should you check?

• Whether the add-on is employer’s liability, an accident benefit, or both.
• Whether the worker must be named in the schedule and sponsored by you.
• The age limit. GIG Gulf’s accident cover excludes persons above 65 or below 18.³
• That your worker’s medical treatment is paid for, by you or by health insurance, as the law requires. That is separate from a home policy.¹

Ask your insurer to show the domestic worker section on your schedule.