Home Insurance for Second Home owners
in Japan

Home insurance in Japan is often called fire insurance, or kasai hoken (火災保険). Despite the name, a policy can cover more than fire, such as storm, snow, flood, theft, and water damage, depending on the plan. The name alone does not tell you which risks a particular policy covers, so ask the provider to explain the cover, exclusions, excesses, and insured amounts.

Through MailMate, overseas owners can arrange Tokio Marine & Nichido Total Assist home insurance, which can cover fire, lightning, and explosion; wind, hail, and snow; flood and natural-disaster damage; theft, leaks, and accidental damage; earthquake, eruption, and tsunami (earthquake insurance is arranged alongside fire insurance); and optional liability to other people. Cover, exclusions, and limits depend on the plan selected.

Yes. Non-resident owners can arrange insurance for a Japanese property, and an insurer-approved representative in Japan can help make that possible. MailMate receives policy documents, renewal notices, and payment requests, handles authorized paperwork, communicates with the insurer, and helps with claims correspondence. The arrangement depends on the insurer, policy, and property. Appointing a proxy does not guarantee eligibility, and we cannot guarantee acceptance or a particular policy.

MailMate helps homeowners arrange Tokio Marine & Nichido’s Total Assist home insurance in Japan, with applications and Japanese provider liaison. The insurer or authorized agent confirms the policy type, insured property, endorsements, premium, and eligibility for your home.

A furnished home in Japan used seasonally needs a different assessment from a vacant house. Tokio Marine distinguishes these uses in its eligibility guidance. Explain the property’s current state and intended use; the insurer or agent must confirm acceptance under the rules for your policy start date. A vacant akiya is not automatically eligible.

Yes. Explain periods of vacancy, renovation work, and any rental use when you request a quote for home insurance in Japan, and ask the insurer to confirm how those facts affect the proposed cover. MailMate helps you put these questions to the provider.

It depends on the quote. Ask whether a Japanese home insurance quote covers the building, household contents, or both, and confirm which property is insured and the amount of cover. For a condo, clarify the boundary between your own policy and the association’s arrangements.

Do not assume it is. In Japan, earthquake insurance is arranged together with fire insurance, not as a standalone policy, and has its own separate limits. Ask the insurer or authorized agent to explain eligibility, what is covered for earthquake, eruption, and tsunami damage, the insured amounts, and the conditions of the proposed policy.

Liability endorsements may be available on Japanese home insurance for legal responsibility for injury to others or damage to someone else’s property. Ask which endorsement fits your circumstances, including personal liability or building-management liability where appropriate. Limits, exclusions, who is insured, and any overseas-residence or rental-use conditions must be confirmed in your quote.

Ask the insurer and building manager which parts of a condo in Japan the association’s policy covers. Your unit, contents, and liability questions need to be considered separately rather than assumed to fall under a building-wide policy.

Yes. MailMate can help receive and understand premium notices and renewal letters in English, communicate with the provider, and arrange eligible payments. Renewal is not automatic through MailMate: any required decision or authorization still needs your attention.

MailMate can help with claims correspondence. Contact the insurer through its designated incident or claims channel and follow its instructions. Claims handling, inspections, emergency visits, and repairs are not automatically included.

No. MailMate helps with communication and administration. The insurer or authorized insurance agent explains and recommends the insurance; you review the offer and make the purchase decision.

A MailMate plan may include insurance setup support or liaison, not the insurance premium itself. Check the current plan comparison to confirm the scope for your property.