This guide walks through buying maid insurance for the first time. It covers what to have ready, what the quote form asks, how to read the results, what happens on the insurer's site and what arrives after payment. It is general information. It is not advice on your own situation.
What to have ready before you start
Maid insurance is compulsory. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires employers to buy medical cover, personal accident cover and a S$5,000 security bond. All of it must be in place before the work permit is issued. The cost cannot be passed on to the helper. A few details make the form quicker.
- Your helper's age.
- Whether she is a new helper or a renewal for a helper already working for you.
- The work permit length, one year or two years.
- The date she is due to start work. Cover should begin before then.
- Her nationality. The security bond applies to each helper unless she is Malaysian.
- Any past maid insurance claims, if you have employed a helper before.
- The results of her pre-employment medical exam. Conditions found at that exam are not covered.
What the quote form asks and why
The maid insurance quote page asks a few questions about your helper and the cover you need. Each answer changes the price, the cover, or both.
- Length of cover. The choice is usually 14 or 26 months. Work permits run for one or two years. The extra two months cover the time between applying and the permit being issued. If the insurance and bond last less than 26 months, the permit ends 2 months before they do. New helpers are usually covered for 26 months. One-year renewals are usually covered for 14 months.
- Helper's age. Prices differ for helpers under 50 and over 50.
- Bond waiver. If MOM forfeits the bond, the insurer pays it. Without a waiver, the insurer can ask you to repay that S$5,000. With a waiver, it usually cannot.
- New helper or renewal. This affects the usual length of cover.
- Claims history. Past claims can affect the premium.
- Start date. Cover should start before your helper starts work and last as long as the work permit.
How to read the results
The results list plans by premium only, lowest first. The order does not weigh the cover. Every plan shown meets MOM's minimum medical and personal accident cover. Each one also includes the S$5,000 security bond.
As examples, here are today's prices on two typical cases. These are not what you will pay.
- New helper aged 32, 26 months, with bond waiver, no claims in three years. Nine insurers price it, from about S$448 to about S$1,098. See the price page.
- Renewal for a helper aged 38, 14 months, no bond waiver, no claims in three years. Seven insurers price it, from about S$273 to about S$700. See the price page.
When reading the results, consider these points.
- Hospital and surgical limit. MOM's minimum is an annual limit of at least S$60,000. Limits differ between plans. A higher limit means fewer bills for you if your helper has a long hospital stay.
- Large bills. Under the MOM minimum, on a bill above S$15,000 the insurer pays 75% and you pay 25%. Check how each plan treats large bills.
- Bond waiver. Check whether the plan includes one.
- Repatriation. Check the cover if your helper passes away or must return home.
- Exclusions. Pregnancy and childbirth, cosmetic and routine dental treatment, and self-inflicted injury are not covered.
- Side by side. The compare page shows two insurers together. The promotions page lists promo codes running now.
What happens on the insurer's site
When you pick a plan, you finish buying on the insurer's own site. Your answers are already filled in. The insurer, not this site, issues the policy and takes payment.
- Check that the filled-in answers are correct.
- Add any further details the insurer asks for.
- Confirm the start date and the length of cover.
- Confirm whether the bond waiver is included.
- Read the policy wording and exclusions before paying.
- Pay using the methods the insurer offers. These differ between insurers.
What arrives after you pay
The insurer sends the security bond to MOM. The insurer also sends your policy documents. These usually arrive by email.
- Check the policy schedule. It shows the helper's name, the period of cover and the main benefits.
- Check that the dates match the work permit.
- Keep the policy number. It is needed for the work permit process and for any claim.
- Note the end date. Renewal is due before the permit is renewed.
- Store the documents where others in the household can find them.
Things to note
- The plan at the top of the results has the lowest premium. It does not always have the widest cover.
- A bond waiver does not remove the bond. The bond is still required. The waiver affects who bears the loss if MOM forfeits it.
- MOM can take the bond if the work permit conditions are broken. Examples include paying salary late or not sending the helper home when her permit ends.
- The S$60,000 personal accident cover is paid to the helper, or to her family. It is not paid to the employer.
- The premium is the employer's cost. It cannot be passed on to the helper.
Where to get help
For how claims generally work, see the Claims page. Claims are made with the insurer that issued the policy. For questions about this site or how it compares plans, use the contact details on the About page. To start comparing, go to the maid insurance quote page.