How Much Is Domestic Helper Insurance in Singapore?

Key takeaways

• Premiums vary based on your helper's age, plan tier, policy duration, and any add-ons selected.

• All policies must meet MOM's minimum coverage of S$60,000 per year for medical insurance and S$60,000 per year for personal accident insurance.

• Integrated plans like Income's Domestic Helper Insurance Standard Plan starts at S$486.14 for 26-month coverage.

Bringing a helper like a maid or confinement nanny into your home is a big step, and making sure she is properly insured is part of getting it right. 

Domestic helper insurance is a legal requirement in Singapore, and the cost falls entirely on you as the employer.

Understanding what goes into the price makes it a lot easier to pick the right plan: one that ticks all the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) boxes and gives both you and your helper real peace of mind. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the cost of maid insurance in Singapore and why maid insurance is important.

Understand what MOM requires for maid insurance

Before your helper arrives, you need two types of insurance sorted. 

But remember: the cost is on you, because passing it on to your helper is not allowed.

From 1 July 2025, MOM also introduced age-differentiated premiums across two bands: helpers aged 50 and below, and helpers above 50¹.

Insurers now pay hospitals directly when a claim is approved, removing the need for employers to pay upfront and seek reimbursement¹.

5 factors that affect your maid insurance premium

Your premium is not one-size-fits-all. A few things will shape what you pay, so these are key factors to look out for:

1. Helper's age: Premiums are higher for helpers above 50 years old, in line with MOM's two-band age structure.

2. Plan tier: Basic, Standard, and Enhanced plans carry different premiums based on coverage limits.

3. Policy duration: A 26-month policy generally works out cheaper per month than a 14-month policy.

4. Add-ons: Optional riders such as a Security Bond Protector or Waiver of Co-payment increase the premium.

5. Security bond: Most plans bundle the mandatory S$5,000 security bond into the package premium.

What a standard domestic helper insurance policy includes

Every MOM-compliant maid insurance plan covers the following:

• Medical insurance for inpatient hospitalisation and day surgery

• Personal accident coverage for permanent disability or death

• Repatriation expenses if your helper needs to be sent home

• Third-party personal liability if your helper accidentally causes injury or property damage to others

• Security bond guarantee of S$5,000 to MOM

Higher-tier plans typically add wages compensation if your helper is hospitalised and unable to work, alongside coverage for expenses if you need to stop employing her due to serious illness or injury.

Choose between a 14-month & 26-month policy

MOM issues work permits for 12 or 24 months, but requires insurance and the security bond to carry an additional two months of cover. Therefore, policies are sold as either 14 months or 26 months.

In comparison to a per-month basis, a 26-month policy almost always works out more cost-effective.

Choose the right coverage level

There is no single right answer here. 

The best plan depends on your helper's profile and what your household actually needs. Here is a simple way to decide:

Go with a Basic plan if:

• Your helper is young and in good health.

• You have savings set aside for unexpected costs.

• Her daily duties carry a low risk of accident or injury.

Go with a Standard or Enhanced plan if:

• Your helper is above 45 years old.

• You want wages compensation if she is hospitalised and cannot work.

• You want coverage for termination expenses if she cannot continue due to serious illness or injury.

The premium difference between a Basic and Enhanced plan typically amounts to a modest sum over two years. For many households, the added protection is worth it.

Understand policy terms & the claims process

Having the right policy is a great start, but knowing how to use it when you actually need it makes all the difference. 

These are four common situations that require claims:

• Outpatient treatment: Hold on to your receipts and submit them within 30 days. Just keep in mind that outpatient expenses are covered for accidental injuries, not illness.

• Hospitalisation: Give your insurer a heads-up within 24 to 48 hours of admission. You can also request a Letter of Guarantee so you do not need to pay a cash deposit upfront.

• Personal accident: Have medical reports and any relevant MOM documents ready when you file.

• Repatriation: Your insurer can help guide you through the process alongside the relevant embassy.

Remember to keep these documents organised throughout your helper's employment:

• Original receipts for all medical expenses.

• Medical reports stating diagnosis and treatment.

• Police reports for accidents or incidents.

• Work Permit details and any MOM correspondence.

Protect your helper with Income Insurance

Income’s Domestic Helper Insurance meets all MOM requirements in one package, with premiums starting from S$0.60 a day. The Standard Plan is priced at S$486.14 for 26-month coverage.

Beyond the mandatory minimums, the plan includes:

• A Letter of Guarantee for hospital admissions at Singapore public hospitals, so no upfront cash deposit is required

• Access to MediPass, which provides preferential rates for general practitioner visits, specialist consultations, dental treatments, and the compulsory six-monthly medical examination (6ME)

• Coverage for pre-existing conditions for helpers who have been employed in Singapore for more than 12 consecutive months

• An optional Security Bond Protector add-on that limits your liability to S$250 if the security bond is forfeited for reasons not caused by your fault

Income charges premiums for 12 or 24 months only. The additional two months of mandatory cover carry no extra cost.

What domestic helper insurance in Singapore actually costs you

Domestic helper insurance is non-negotiable, and the full cost sits with you as the employer. 

What you end up paying comes down to a few things: your helper's age and the plan tier you pick.

The gap in cost between a basic plan and a more comprehensive one is usually small over two years. But the gap in coverage can matter a great deal in the case your helper ever needs to be hospitalised or cannot work. Choosing the right plan from the start is one of those things that is genuinely worth getting right.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on domestic helper insurance pricing in Singapore

1. How much does domestic helper insurance cost in Singapore?

A standard 26-month policy typically costs between S$250 and S$566 or more, depending on the insurer, plan tier, and your helper's age. Income Insurance's Standard Plan is priced at S$486.14 for 26-month coverage.

2. Is domestic helper insurance mandatory in Singapore?

Yes. MOM requires all employers of MDWs to maintain valid insurance throughout the employment period, with minimum medical coverage of S$60,000 per year and personal accident coverage of S$60,000 per year. Without it, your helper cannot receive her Work Permit.

3. What is the difference between Income's Basic, Standard, & Enhanced Domestic Helper Insurance plans?

All three plans from Income Insurance meet MOM's minimum requirements. Standard and Enhanced plans add wages compensation if your helper is hospitalised and unable to work, as well as expenses if you need to terminate employment due to serious illness or injury. The Enhanced plan also provides higher personal accident coverage of S$80,000.

4. Can I pass the insurance cost to my helper?

No. MOM strictly prohibits employers from passing any insurance cost to their helpers. The full premium is the employer's financial obligation.

5. Does my helper's age affect the premium?

Yes. From 1 July 2025, MOM requires age-differentiated premiums across two bands: helpers aged 50 and below, and helpers above 50. Premiums for older helpers are higher to reflect greater medical risk.

6. Why is the policy 14 or 26 months when the work permit is only 12 or 24 months?

MOM requires all insurance and the security bond to carry an additional two months of cover. This ensures your helper remains protected if she overstays in Singapore after her Work Permit expires. Income's Domestic Helper Insurance only charges premiums for the 12 or 24-month period, where the extra two months of cover carry no additional premium.why maid insurance is important