Maid insurance in Singapore is mandatory, not optional. Before your helper can start work, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires you to buy two types of cover for her. This guide explains what the rules are in 2026, how much cover you need, what it costs, what is worth adding on top, and how to buy or renew without the guesswork.
The words people use are different but mean the same thing. “Maid”, “domestic helper”, “foreign domestic worker (FDW)” and “migrant domestic worker (MDW)”, the term MOM now uses officially, all refer to the same person and the same insurance. We use them interchangeably below.
Is maid insurance in Singapore mandatory?
Yes. Buying insurance for your foreign domestic worker is a legal requirement under MOM’s Work Permit conditions, not a choice. You must have both covers in place before your helper arrives in Singapore, and you must keep them active for as long as she works for you.
There is one more rule that matters: you cannot pass the cost of this insurance on to your helper. The employer pays.
What MOM requires you to buy
There are two mandatory covers.
1. Medical insurance (MI)
You need medical insurance covering inpatient care and day surgery, with an annual claim limit of at least $60,000 per year. If a plan splits its cover into sub-limits (for example, a separate cap for day surgery or per medical condition), each sub-limit must still meet that $60,000 minimum.
Two enhancements have changed how these plans work:
- From 1 July 2023: the annual claim limit rose to at least $60,000, with a co-payment on larger bills. For claim amounts above $15,000, the insurer pays 75% and the employer pays 25%. This shared cost is designed to keep premiums sustainable while still protecting you from large hospital bills.
- From 1 July 2025: exclusion clauses were standardised across insurers, premiums became age-differentiated across two bands (50 and below, and above 50), and insurers now pay hospitals directly once a claim is admissible, so you are less likely to be out of pocket up front.
2. Personal accident insurance (PAI)
You also need personal accident insurance with a sum assured of at least $60,000 per year. It must cover sudden, unforeseen incidents that lead to permanent disability or death, and the payout must go to your helper or her beneficiaries. It cannot carry extra exclusions beyond those allowed under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Regulations.
A related cost: the security bond
For most non-Malaysian helpers, MOM also requires a $5,000 security bond. This is separate from medical and personal accident insurance, though many employers buy it together as part of a single maid insurance package. It is worth confirming whether your bond is included or needs to be arranged on its own.
How much does maid insurance cost in Singapore?
Premiums vary by insurer, by your helper’s age, and by how much cover you add beyond the minimum. As a rough guide, a basic MOM-compliant maid insurance package for a 26-month Work Permit cycle typically falls in the low hundreds of dollars, while wider plans with outpatient care, higher hospital limits, and added benefits cost more. Since July 2025, expect to see different premiums quoted depending on whether your helper is 50 or below, or above 50.
The cheapest plan is not always the best value. A plan with a low premium but tight sub-limits or many exclusions can leave you exposed to exactly the bills you were trying to cover. It is the structure of the plan, not just the price, that protects you.
What foreign domestic worker insurance can cover beyond the minimum
The MOM minimums protect you from the biggest risks. Many employers choose to add cover that fits everyday life with a helper. Depending on the policy, optional benefits may include:
- Higher hospital and surgical limits, above the $60,000 floor
- Outpatient and clinical (GP) treatment, which the mandatory plan does not include
- Dental and wellness benefits
- Hospitalisation cash, a daily payout while your helper is admitted
- Wage compensation while she is unable to work
- Repatriation and replacement helper costs
- Liability cover if your helper accidentally injures someone or damages property
What is included, excluded, and capped differs between insurers, so the right mix depends on your household and budget.
How to choose the right plan
A few questions help you compare like for like:
- Does it meet every MOM minimum, including the per-sub-limit rule?
- What is actually excluded? Since July 2025, exclusions are standardised, but the optional add-ons still vary.
- Are the outpatient and dental limits realistic for how often you would use them?
- How does the 25% co-payment on claims above $15,000 work in practice for this plan?
- Is the $5,000 security bond included or separate?
If you would rather not compare maid insurance plans line by line, this is where an advisor can do the work for you and recommend a plan that fits, rather than the one with the loudest discount.
Renewing your domestic helper insurance
Maid insurance usually runs in line with your helper’s Work Permit, often a 26-month cycle, so renewal tends to come around with the permit. Two things are worth checking at renewal rather than simply rolling over:
- Whether your helper has moved into the higher age band (above 50), which affects premiums since July 2025.
- Whether your current plan still has the limits and benefits you want, or whether your needs have changed.
Renewing early avoids a gap in cover, which matters because your helper cannot legally work without active insurance in place.
Where and how to buy maid insurance in Singapore
You can buy maid insurance directly from an insurer, or through an advisor who sources and compares plans for you. Buying through an advisor is useful when you want someone to check the fine print, confirm the plan meets every MOM requirement, and handle renewal so nothing lapses.
Buy your maid insurance online. Choose a MOM-compliant plan and complete it in minutes. Prefer a hand? Tell us your helper’s age and the cover you want, and we will recommend the right plan for your household. speak to an advisor.
How IPG helps
International Protection Group helps families and employers in Singapore find insurance that is right for their situation, not just the first plan on the shelf. We explain the rules in plain language, compare options across insurers, make sure your cover meets MOM’s requirements, and stay on hand at renewal. If you are arranging cover for a helper for the first time, or simply want a second opinion on what you already have, we are happy to help.
Frequently asked questions
Is maid insurance compulsory in Singapore?
Yes. MOM requires every employer to buy medical insurance and personal accident insurance for their foreign domestic worker before she starts work, and to keep both active throughout her employment.
How much maid insurance coverage is required?
At least $60,000 a year for medical insurance (inpatient and day surgery) and at least $60,000 for personal accident insurance. Any sub-limits within the medical plan must also meet the $60,000 minimum.
Who pays for the domestic helper’s insurance?
The employer. By law, you cannot pass the cost of the mandatory insurance on to your helper.
What is the 25% co-payment rule?
For medical claims above $15,000 in a year, the insurer pays 75% and the employer pays 25% of the amount above $15,000. This applies to enhanced medical insurance plans from 1 July 2023.
Do I need a security bond as well?
For most non-Malaysian helpers, MOM also requires a $5,000 security bond. It is separate from medical and personal accident insurance, but is often arranged together in one package.
When should I renew my foreign domestic worker insurance?
Renew before your current policy ends so there is no gap in cover, and review the plan at renewal in case your helper’s age band or your needs have changed.
Can I buy maid insurance online?
Yes. You can buy a MOM-compliant plan online in minutes, or arrange it through an advisor who compares plans and confirms the cover meets MOM’s requirements. Get a quote
This guide is general information, not personal advice. Final cover, limits, exclusions and pricing depend on the insurer’s terms and underwriting. Requirements are based on MOM’s published rules as at 2026; check the MOM website for the latest position before you buy.