The complete guide to maid insurance in Singapore

Unsure about the differences in coverage between the various maid insurance plans? Find your ideal maid insurance plan on FSMOne. Compare options, understand MOM's requirements, and ensure you and your helper are protected against unexpected medical expenses, accidents, and other unforeseen events.

Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) requirements on hiring foreign domestic help in Singapore

Are you hiring a foreign domestic helper for the first time? Here are three mandatory requirements to know when hiring a domestic helper in Singapore:

Security Bond guarantee – A $5,000 security bond is required for each helper that you employ. This security bond is a binding pledge to pay the government in the event that you or your helper breaks the law or Work Permit conditions. You may obtain a security bond in the form of a banker or insurer’s guarantee.

A security bond is not required for Malaysian helpers.

Medical insurance – As mandated by MOM, you must buy medical insurance for your helper to cover for inpatient and day surgery during your helper’s stay in Singapore. This must cover for at least $60,000 per year (for policies effective on or after 1 July 2023), or $15,000 per year (for policies effective before 1 July 2023).

[🔎 MOM will enhance the medical insurance coverage for your helper in a stage 2 phase from 1 July 2025. This enhancement will include a direct reimbursement of medical bills from insurer to hospitals. More details for this can be found here.]

Personal accident insurance – You will also need to get personal accident insurance that covers for at least $60,000 per year for helper. This is intended to cover sudden, unforeseen and unexpected incidents resulting in permanent disability or death.

Choosing the right maid insurance plan is important. While many maid insurance plans offer similar coverage, we highlight three key factors for you to consider before making your purchase.

1. Is co-payment needed for hospitalisation and surgical expenses?

MOM has increased the required medical insurance coverage for domestic helpers with effect from 1 July 2023. This new annual claim limit is $60,000 and offers the employers a greater protection against large medical bills. However, while the annual claim limit is now higher, do note that most of the plans may include a 25% co-payment on claims exceeding $15,000.

An example of co-payment needed for hospitalisation and surgical expenses based on different bill amounts:

^{This table is for illustration purposes only. Claim conditions may differ between insurer and plans.}

Choose a comprehensive plan or opt for an optional add-on rider should you wish to reduce or remove your co-payment payable.

2. Outpatient medical expenses

Coverage for outpatient medical expenses can be split into two categories:

a. Outpatient medical expenses due to an accident or injury – This benefit will only be claimable in the event that your helper requires outpatient medical treatment as a result of an accident.

^{This table is for illustration purposes only. Claim conditions may differ between insurer and plans.}

b. Outpatient medical expenses due to an illness – While most insurance plans only cover for outpatient medical expenses due to an accident or injury, FWD’s Enhanced or Exclusive plan includes coverage for consultation, prescription, and diagnostic test costs if your helper needs to be treated for an illness. However, do note that treatment must be sought at a FWD’s network of clinics, and a co-payment of $10 will be required.

3. Waiver of counter indemnity for insurance guarantee bond to MOM

A waiver of counter indemnity may be available in specific plans or available as an optional add-on for maid insurance policies. This waiver protects employers from losing the $5,000 security bond required in the event that MOM calls on the security bond.

Note that the waiver of counter indemnity may not waive the entire $5,000 payable. In most instances, you will still need to pay the first $250 excess with the remaining $4,750 covered by your insurance plan (if applicable).

Other commonly asked questions:

Q: How do I choose the start date for the period of insurance for my maid insurance policy?

A: The start date of your policy is dependent on the type of maid you are hiring:

New maid: On or before the maid's arrival date in Singapore.

Transfer maid: The agreed transfer date which is also the day you apply for issuance of the maid's new work permit.

Renewal maid: One day after the expiry date of the current work permit.

Q: Why are maid insurance plans offered for 14 or 26 months when MOM only issues work permits for 12 or 24 months?

A: This is a requirement by MOM as the two extra months of insurance provides coverage for your maid in Singapore during the repatriation period following the expiration of their work permit.

Q: How will the security bond be transmitted to MOM?

A: The insurer will transmit the Security Bond details to MOM. Upon successful transmission, you may proceed to MOM’s website to renew or issue your maid’s work permit.

Q: How much will it cost to purchase maid insurance?

A: Here is how much you may expect to pay for your maid insurance plan:

Profile: Age 30 (Date of birth: 01/01/1995) for an Indonesian foreign domestic helper.

Compare and discover maid insurance deals on FSMOne

Get a snapshot of all maid insurance plans available on FSMOne with our newly launched comparison page, and find a plan that can best suit your budget and needs.

Click here to head to our Lifestyle insurance page and click on the “Maid Insurance” tab to compare across all maid insurance plans available on FSMOne.

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Or click here to contact us if you have any questions on your insurance plans.

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^{Information obtained from:}

^{https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/security-bond}

^{https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/insurance-requirements}

^{https://www.mom.gov.sg/-/media/mom/documents/work-passes-and-permits/enhanced-mi-for-helper-infographic.pdf}

^{https://www.fwd.com.sg/maid-insurance/}

^{https://www.msig.com.sg/personal-insurance/maidplus}

^{https://www.income.com.sg/domestic-helper-insurance}

^{Information retrieved on 21 January 2025.}

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