Maid insurance policies in Singapore (2023): What are they and how much do they cost?

For some families, the person who really runs the household is a domestic helper. Without her, dishes would go unwashed, toilets would start to stink and kids would run amok with sharp objects.

If you have a domestic helper or are planning to get one, maid insurance is something every employer needs to buy. Knowing what sort of coverage it provides, wage compensations or what outpatient expenses are included in the policy are super important. 

Most people have no idea what maid insurance really offers, which is a shame as it also means they won't know when to make a claim even when they're entitled to do so. How much does maid insurance cost? How do you choose the best maid insurance for your helper?

We came up with a comprehensive guide to what you need to know so that your domestic helper (as well as your expenses) are well protected.

1. At a glance: Maid insurance policies in Singapore (2023)

From time to time, these maid insurance plans also go on discount and/or come with freebies. For example, MSIG maid insurance premiums are on a 20 per cent discount till July 31, 2023.

For convenience, you can compare premium prices and the latest promotions all in one page via MoneySmart's maid insurance comparison page

2. Maid insurance regulations in Singapore

Before your domestic helper arrives in Singapore, you are required by law to ensure she is covered by (1) medical insurance and (2) personal accident insurance.

Maid Insurance Component	Required Coverage in Singapore
Medical insurance	$60,000 per annum, with 25 per cent co-payment by employers for claim amounts above $15,000
Personal accident coverage	$60,000 per annum. Cover sudden, unforeseen, unexpected incidents resulting in permanent disability or death.

If you check out popular insurance providers like AIG maid insurance, you will notice that no matter which plan you choose, they all consistently provide $60,000 in personal accident coverage.

It's important to know that, while most maid insurance policies will include the components that are required by law that we just talked about above, most will also offer a customised selection of other benefits.

So what kinds of coverage can you expect from maid insurance plans?

3. What does maid insurance cover in Singapore?

Hospitalisation

Given the number of domestic helpers balancing precariously on ledges as they clean their employers' windows, it's a good thing maid insurance includes hospitalisation benefits and surgical expenses. In the event that your domestic helper falls sick, gets injured or lands in the hospital, you can make a claim for the medical bills.

This is worth taking note of, especially as some employers don't like sending their domestic helper to the doctor unless they deem it absolutely necessary, fearing expensive medical bills. Knowing that insurance covers treatment will enable employers to send their domestic helpers for medical attention whenever necessary.

Outpatient treatment

Looking after your home can be a hazardous task. Imagine your helper getting bitten by your beloved furkid, getting scalded while cooking, and so on.

Maid insurance in Singapore should offer coverage not just for hospitalisation, but also for outpatient surgery and other treatment. That means that if your domestic helper visits a hospital but is not warded, the medical bills can still be reimbursed by the insurance company.

Note that outpatient expenses are usually only covered if the injury is due to an accident, so make sure you know when this coverage kicks in. How much outpatient expenses you can claim depend usually on how much your policy cost.

For example, FWD maid insurance has outpatient expense coverage that increases by $1,000 with each tier:

• Tier 1 – $1,000 Outpatient Expense Coverage
• Tier 2 – $2,000 Outpatient Expense Coverage
• Tier 3 – $3,000 Outpatient Expense Coverage

Personal accident

As mentioned above, personal accident coverage is mandatory and pegged at $60,000. If your domestic helper is involved in an accident which leads to her death or permanent disability, your insurance policy must offer coverage of at least $60,000.

Some higher end plans offer slightly higher coverage, like the Hong Leong Assurance Maid Protect360 PRO Enhanced, which has a $70,000 death benefit.

These payouts will enable you to do right by your domestic helper and/or her family back home, including paying for repatriation if this is not included by the insurance policy.

Repatriation

If your domestic helper dies or is permanently disabled, some insurance policies will provide a separate repatriation payout so you can send her home. These costs can be pretty expensive, and it would be right and best to have the deceased return home to the family for proper and respectful burial.

Security bond

If you are hiring a domestic helper from anywhere but Malaysia, you will be required by MOM to buy a $5,000 security bond from a bank or insurance company.

In addition, if you're hiring a Filipino domestic helper, you'll also have to issue the Philippine Embassy with a Letter of Guarantee for a security bond of up to $7,000. This letter should come from a reputable insurance company and be valid for at least two years.

So make sure your insurer will cover you for the bond(s). This means they will undertake to pay the government/Embassy if you have the bond forfeited, and then recover the costs from you.

Wage compensation

Some maid insurance policies will pay you a small daily allowance per day if your domestic helper is hospitalised or unable to work. This is meant to compensate you for your domestic helper's wages, so that she is still able to earn her wage whilst recovering from whatever happened to her. Hong Leong Assurance maid insurance, for example, provides up to $60 a day in wage compensation for the duration of the maid's inability to return to work.

Third party liability

While your domestic helper is hopefully not going to go out and destroy someone's property, in the event that she or you as her employer ends up on the receiving end of a lawsuit, you'll be glad if your maid insurance offers third party liability coverage. This can go up to $5,000, even for basic plans (e.g. MaidPlus Standard Enhanced).

Alternative help benefits

When your domestic helper gets hospitalised or is out of action, some insurance policies will reimburse you a certain sum per day so you can hire alternative help.

Critical illness cover

Not all policies offer critical illness cover, but those that do will pay a lump sum if your domestic helper is diagnosed with a critical illness. The coverage would function similar to any other insurance policy with similar coverage. For example, AIG Domestic Helper Insurance Classic offers an additional Dread Disease Cover that will pay you a lump sum of $2,000 if your helper is diagnosed with any of the 6 dread diseases such as major cancer, stroke, heart attack, etc.

Maid’s personal belongings

Don’t be surprised if your domestic helper has her own smartphone and laptop. Some insurance policies will protect your maid’s personal belongings, so if they get stolen or damaged you can claim compensation on her behalf. For example, FWD maid insurance offers $300 to $500 (depending on the tier of your plan) in allowable claims for such items.

Theft

If you’re the distrustful type, you’ll want to look out for maid insurance that protects your family’s belongings from theft perpetrated by the domestic helper.

Replacement maid

If something tragic happens to your domestic helper and as a result you’re forced to hire another, some maid insurance policies will pay agency fees to find you a new domestic helper. Note that your first domestic helper’s contract must have been terminated due to a serious enough event like, er, death. So don’t use this an excuse to change maids on a whim.

4. Overview of maid insurance in Singapore

Hiring a domestic helper may not be cheap. Fortunately, maid insurance policies are generally affordable — most costing you no more than $600 every two years. Always compare the best maid insurance policies in Singapore before committing to one.

ALSO READ: How much insurance coverage do you really need and what policies should you get?

This article was first published in MoneySmart.