Ensure that you inspect all your possessions when they are unpacked for any damage that might have occurred during the move. Test all appliances and report any problems immediately to the unpackers before you sign the receipts. Photograph any damaged items.

Your personal liability insurance may only cover you in Malaysia, so check if it covers you world wide, you may need it while travelling. Check whether your policy covers items that you may take with you when you leave home or travel. Keep receipts for all purchases, you'll need them for customs as well as insurance purposes, and consider if your contents policy remains adequate.

Insurance is always recommended at least for damage to the property that you are living in and its contents (theft and fire, at least). Most of the insurance companies are connected to international companies so the processes are similar to what you have experienced elsewhere.

High-rise apartment living and the fact that most apartment complexes, low and high, have security guards and CCTV cameras, means that home burglaries are uncommon. Petty crimes and crimes against your person are quite rare for international residents in Malaysia.

Rainstorms or leaking plumbing from the upstairs apartment are more likely to cause damage to your property. This is what you need to have clarified in your insurance policy.

Most likely your ceiling and walls will start showing watermarks, or your curtains and carpets may get spoiled with moist. Is this your responsibility to pay for or the landlord's? As for health or medical insurance, it is not compulsory rather a prerogative of the expat. In some cases, you may negotiate with the company in Malaysia you will be working with to include insurance coverage as part of the deal. Many companies extend the coverage to wife and children as well, depending on the position you will be holding - the higher, the better the benefits.

As a guide, if you are of generally good health (non-smoker or suffer genetic ailments) between 35 to 40, a family insurance premium would be between RM1,000 to RM1,500 per annum. Most policies would cover husband, wife and 2 children for admission to hospital from accidents, surgeries etc. Whereas health insurance for the same candidate would be about RM650 per annum which covers personal accidents and surgeries at RM450 per day stay in hospitals.

Third party car insurance is mandatory and road tax certificates will not be issued by the JPJ (Road Transport Department) unless this is paid. Many drivers settle small accident damages at the scene of an accident rather than involve insurance claims, as this affects the NCB (non claim bonus) in the yearly renewal of insurance policies on hire-purchased cars.

If you have a domestic helper you must also insure her. If you use and agency, they only cover her insurance for two years. As the employer you are responsible for her health care costs whether she has the flu or a fall off the ladder. Expenses on visits to GPs are borne by the employer.

If you plan on extending the services of one particular maid for more than two years, you could take out comprehensive insurance that covers her medical care including any injuries she incurs during work.

Meanwhile, keep up the payments of all insurance policies kept back home. It's too easy to forget, as what is out of sight is often out of mind.