Maid Insurance in Singapore: Comprehensive Protection for Your Foreign Domestic Worker
Hiring a domestic helper comes with important responsibilities, including ensuring they have adequate protection throughout their employment in Singapore. Maid insurance, also known as domestic helper insurance, provides mandatory coverage for your helper while helping protect you from potentially high medical and hospitalisation expenses.
Under MOM regulations and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, employers must meet specific insurance requirements when employing a foreign domestic worker. ANDA Insurance makes it simple to secure MOM-compliant coverage, helping you meet your obligations while providing essential protection for your helper.
Latest MOM Maid Insurance Requirements (2026 Updates)
Employers in Singapore must ensure their Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) has insurance that meets the latest MOM requirements. As of 2026, the key requirements include:
- S$60,000 Medical Coverage
- At least S$60,000 annual claim limit for inpatient care and day surgery.
- S$60,000 Personal Accident Insurance
- A minimum sum assured of S$60,000 per year for accidental death or permanent disability.
- S$5,000 Security Bond
- Required for each non-Malaysian MDW. Some insurance plans offer waiver options that can help limit the employer’s liability if the bond is forfeited, subject to policy terms.
- 75/25 Co-payment Structure
- For claim amounts above the first S$15,000, insurers cover 75% while employers bear the remaining 25%, up to the policy’s annual claim limit.
- Direct Hospital Billing
- For policies starting, renewing or extending from 1 July 2025, insurers must pay hospitals directly once an eligible claim is admitted.
These requirements provide essential protection for your helper while helping employers manage potentially significant medical expenses.
Type of Domestic Helper (Maid) Insurance Coverages
Hospitalisation & Surgical
Covers your helper's hospital stays, surgeries and related medical bills during their employment in Singapore.
Personal Accident
Provides a lump sum payout if your helper suffers permanent disability or death due to an accident.
Outpatient Medical Expenses
Reimburses GP visits, clinic consultations, and minor treatments that don't require hospital admissions.
Third Party Liability
Protects you against legal costs and damages if your helper accidentally injures someone or damages their property.
Wage & Levy Reimbursement
If your helper is hospitalised and unable to work, some plans cover wage and foreign worker levy costs. Coverage limits and periods vary by insurer.
Repatriation Expenses
Covers the cost of sending your helper home when medically necessary due to a serious illness or injury. Coverage may include transportation and other eligible expenses.
When to Buy Domestic Helper (Maid) Insurance
You must purchase domestic helper insurance before your helper arrives in Singapore. Once the In-Principle Approval (IPA) is issued, the required insurance coverage must be arranged and active before MOM can issue the Work Permit.
For existing helpers, insurance must also be renewed and active before renewing their Work Permit, ensuring continuous coverage and compliance with MOM requirements.
Step-by-Step Process for Domestic Helper Insurance
- 01
Search & Choose Domestic Helper
To find via licensed maid agencies or hire directly.
- 02
Apply for Work Permit
Employers or employment agents can apply for the work permit online through MOM, and in most cases, the outcome is released within a week.
- 03
Before Arrival: Buy Domestic Helper Insurance
Let ANDA Insurance take the hassle out of the process! We assist clients in finding the right maid insurance plan that complies with MOM's requirements, and we'll submit all necessary details to MOM to ensure your helper's work permit gets approved without delay.
- 04
Arrange Travel & Arrival
To coordinate the helper’s travel arrangements and accommodation in designated cities for training purposes or stopovers en route to Singapore.
- 05
Medical Examination Singapore
As per MOM requirements, your domestic helper must undergo medical examination within 14 days of arrival.
- 06
Work Permit Issuance
Upon successful completion of the medical examination, your helper’s work permit will be officially issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). This permit legally authorizes your domestic helper to work in Singapore.
How to Make a Maid Insurance Claim in Singapore
If your domestic helper falls ill or is injured, making a claim is usually straightforward. Employers should:
Notify ANDA or the insurer as soon as possible after the incident or treatment
Keep all original medical bills, receipts and supporting documents from the clinic or hospital
Complete the required claim form and provide any additional documents requested.
Submit the claim online for assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
about Maid Insurance
Is maid insurance compulsory in Singapore?
Yes. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires all employers to purchase maid insurance before a work permit can be approved.
When should I buy maid Insurance?
It is mandatory to purchase maid insurance prior to helper’s arrival or before any existing policy lapses for current or transfer domestic helpers. The Ministry of Manpower will only issue or renew Work Permits when valid insurance coverage is confirmed.
How long does maid insurance coverage last?
Most domestic helper insurance plans offer coverage for either 14 or 26 months. The extra 2 months beyond the Work Permit duration provide protection during the renewal or repatriation period.
Do I need to submit the insurance documents to MOM?
No, if you purchase domestic helper insurance through ANDA Insurance (or any licensed providers), we will submit the insurance details to MOM on your behalf.
Can I transfer the insurance if I hire a new helper?
No, the insurance is tied to a specific helper and cannot be transferred. A new domestic helper insurance policy must be purchased for every new hire.
How much does maid insurance cost?
Maid insurance in Singapore typically costs between $200 and $700 per year, depending on coverage limits, policy duration (14 or 26 months), and optional add-ons like outpatient or dental coverage. While cheaper plans meet MOM's basic requirements, a slightly higher premium often provides better protection against unexpected hospital bills or replacement costs.
Does Maid Insurance Cover Outpatient Expenses or Pre-Existing Conditions?
Basic maid insurance plans generally focus on hospitalisation and surgical expenses and may not cover routine outpatient treatments, such as GP visits for minor illnesses. However, some plans offer outpatient medical coverage as an additional benefit or rider.
Pre-existing conditions are also commonly excluded, although coverage varies between insurers. Some policies may provide limited coverage after a specified waiting period, subject to their terms and conditions.
What Happens if My Helper Is Hospitalised and the Bill Exceeds the Coverage Limit?
Under MOM’s medical insurance requirements, employers and insurers share eligible claim amounts above the first S$15,000, up to the minimum annual claim limit of S$60,000:
- First S$15,000: Covered according to the policy terms.
- Above S$15,000 to S$60,000: The insurer pays 75%, while the employer co-pays 25%.
- Above the policy’s annual claim limit: The employer is responsible for medical expenses exceeding the available coverage.
Employers may therefore consider plans with higher coverage limits to reduce their potential out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a major hospitalisation.
Contact us for policy quotation, comparison and unbiased advice now!