# Home insurance: Home insurance for tenants in Sweden


*3 november 2026*

> Home insurance is your most important protection when renting a home. We cover what is included, who needs their own policy, and what the law says.


Home insurance is one of the most vital expenses for any tenant in Sweden. While there is no specific law mandating that you must have a policy, almost all landlords require it in their rental agreements before you can move in. A home insurance policy provides security if something unexpected happens, such as a burglary, a fire, or water damage.

Without a proper home insurance, you risk being left without compensation for your furniture and clothes if your apartment is destroyed. Furthermore, you could be held liable for damages worth millions if you accidentally cause damage to the building or your neighbors' property.

## What is included in a Swedish home insurance?

A standard Swedish home insurance is actually a package of several different protections. It does not only protect your belongings, but also you as a person.

Here are the five components almost always included:
* **Property protection:** Compensation for your belongings (movable property) if they are stolen or damaged by fire or water leaks.
* **Liability protection:** Helps you if someone claims damages against you, for example, if you forgot to turn off a tap and caused water damage to the neighbor below.
* **Legal protection:** Covers costs for legal representation if you end up in a legal dispute.
* **Travel protection:** Usually applies for the first 45 days of a trip and covers emergency medical costs.
* **Assault protection:** Can provide compensation if you are subjected to violence, such as assault or robbery.

## Home insurance for lodgers and subtenants

A common misconception is that if you are a lodger (inneboende) or renting second-hand, you are covered by the primary tenant's insurance. This is normally not the case. Since you do not share a household in the legal sense – meaning you do not live together under marriage-like conditions or share finances – you are considered separate parties.

If you rent a room as a lodger or an apartment second-hand, you must therefore take out your own home insurance. This is especially important for the liability protection. If you were to accidentally cause a fire in the kitchen and lacked insurance, the landlord could claim the entire repair cost from you personally.

## What does the law say about insurance requirements?

According to Jordabalken (the Swedish Landlord and Tenant Act), the landlord has a maintenance responsibility for the building itself and the apartment's fixed fittings. If a deficiency arises that you have not caused yourself, the landlord is obliged to fix it. However, the landlord has no responsibility for your personal belongings.

If the building were to burn down or be destroyed so it cannot be used as a home, the rental agreement terminates immediately according to Jordabalken Chapter 12, Section 10. The landlord is not obliged to provide a new home for you. This is where your home insurance comes into play – it can cover the additional costs for temporary accommodation in a hotel or another apartment while you look for something new.

## Finding the right insurance as a young adult

For students and young adults, there are often specific youth insurance policies that are cheaper but have the same basic protection as a standard policy. As a member of the Swedish Tenants' Association (Hyresgästföreningen), you can also get discounts at certain insurance companies.

Before signing up for home insurance, you should check the insurance amount (försäkringsbelopp). This is the total value of your belongings. For a small student apartment, the basic amount is often sufficient, but if you have expensive electronics or collectibles, you may need to increase it to be fully sure of receiving the correct compensation in the event of damage.

## Common questions

### Do I need insurance if I only rent a room?
Yes, as a lodger you need your own home insurance to protect your belongings and have liability coverage.

### How much does home insurance for a rental cost?
The price depends on where you live, the size of the apartment, and your age, but for a rental, the cost is often between 50 and 150 SEK per month.

### Does the insurance cover items in the basement storage?
Yes, but there is often a cap on how much compensation you can get for items stored outside the apartment itself, and the theft protection requires the storage unit to be properly locked.