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We all know that domestic helpers contribute a lot to daily family life in many homes in Singapore. It's important to recognise their value with insurance that adequately protects their health and wellbeing.
Buying the right policy will also insure you can cover your helper's medical bills if anything were to happen.
We'll explore what sort of maid insurance is required and what's included so you know what to expect.
Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990, you must buy medical insurance (MI) and personal accident insurance as part of your medical obligations for your migrant domestic worker (MDW) (previously referred to as foreign domestic worker, or FDW). This includes injuries that are not work related.
As a good employer, safeguarding your helper's welfare is the right thing to do.
For new employees hired from overseas, you must buy maid insurance before your helper arrives in Singapore or departs from their home country.
If the helper is already living in Singapore, then the insurance policy should start when you apply for a transfer.
For contract renewals with the same MDW, the insurance policy should begin one day after their work permit expires.
Some maid insurance policies can be transferred between helpers. You may also be eligible for a refund of the unused period of insurance coverage if the policy cannot be transferred. Read the cancellation and refund clause of your policy to understand your rights.
From now till 6 May 2025, enjoy 30% premium discount when you buy a MaidPlus Plan.
Basic coverage should include:
Many insurers, including HSBC Singapore, also offer enhanced medical insurance for domestic helpers. Benefits will vary depending on the insurer. Read the fine print so you know what's covered.
Scenario 1
Your helper needs to have her appendix out. She'll be in the public hospital for 1 week while she recovers. After the surgery, she'll need follow-up appointments, medication and possibly physical therapy. These medical costs are typically paid for by your maid insurance.
Without proper insurance, this would cost you over SGD11,000Footnote link 1. Additionally, hiring temporary domestic help could cost between SGD18-30 per hour.
HSBC MaidPlus insurance pays up to SGD120,000 for your foreign domestic worker's hospitalisation and surgical expenses. It also covers up to SGD1,800 in wages and levy for up to 60 days in the event your helper is hospitalised.
Scenario 2
An accidental fall has landed your FDW in the dentist's office with a badly broken tooth. The cost of treatment, including an x-ray and anesthesia, will be around SGD900. HSBC MaidPlus will pay up to SGD3,000 for medical expenses due to an accident.
Certain things may not be covered in your maid insurance policy. Take the time to understand what's excluded:
The claim process is different for all insurance companies. To make things easier, be sure to keep track of important documents and original receipts.
If you've taken out a MaidPlus insurance policy, please contact our claims department as soon as possible and complete a claim form, together with all supporting documents.
Unless they're Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents, domestic helpers cannot benefit from government healthcare subsidies. In addition, they're not covered by the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) This link will open in a new window. Because of this, you must make sure your MDW is covered by both medical insurance and personal accident insurance.
Medical insurance covers the cost of medical expenses. Personal accident insurance will financially compensate your helper or their beneficiaries in case of permanent injury, disability or death.
While it's your responsibility to buy insurance for your helper, it's important to shop around. Good maid insurance coverage should include dental expenses, repatriation, and personal liability protection.
When comparing policies, you'll want to consider:
Give your MDW the right medical coverage and protect yourself as an employer under MOM's latest medical insurance enhancements. You can tailor your plan and manage it through our online platform.
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