If you have employed a foreign domestic worker, it’s likely that you purchased her insurance through the same maid agency.
People in Singapore are practical — since the agency offers this option, it’s convenient for us as we can settle all the paperwork in one go, which saves time and effort. Plus, if you’re needing to employ a helper, it already means your life is crazy-busy as it is, so you’re looking for the quickest and simplest way to get everything done.
Because of this, employers tend to overlook what the plan exactly covers.
But when you do get a breather, perhaps it’s time to relook your maid’s insurance. Do you even know what you’re paying for?
| Did you know? Beyond protecting your helper, a good maid insurance can protect you financially too! |
Here’s a breakdown of what you should focus on when choosing the right maid insurance:
Are the basics enough?
What are the basics?
- Personal accident cover, hospitalisation & surgical expenses
- Security bond to MOM
- Third party liability
- Repatriation expenses, termination/rehiring expenses
- Wages & levy reimbursement, alternative maid services
These are pretty self-explanatory. A basic maid insurance will cover the medical fees (usually up to a certain amount) in case your helper has an accident, requires hospitalisation and/or surgery.
According to the Ministry of Manpower requirements, you MUST buy a security bond for each helper (you can’t ask her to pay for it either), unless she is a Malaysian. This is a binding pledge to pay the government if either you or your helper breaks the law or Work Permit conditions. Each bond is in the form of a banker’s or insurer’s guarantee and costs $5,000. A basic maid insurance can help you pay for the bond, but you need to pay back this amount should you or your maid break the law or Work Permit conditions.
With third party liability coverage, it means that if your maid causes hurt to a third party or damages a third party’s property, the compensation required will be covered by the insurance up to a certain amount.
Other basics include repatriation expenses (in case your maid passes away and her body needs to be sent home to her family), termination/rehiring expenses reimbursed for the agency fees of hiring a replacement maid during the period of your maid’s hospitalisation due to death or permanent disability; wages and levy reimbursement if your maid is unfit to work due to hospitalisation as a result of an injury or illness (up to a certain number of days, as well as alternative maid services (if needed) during this period.
It might seem enough to get the basics covered, but you might want to consider policies with optional add-ons for extra peace of mind.
Besides, getting a maid insurance with the add-ons could save you a ton of money should something outside of these basic benefits happen.
What add-ons are available?
1. Covid-19 Cover
The Covid-19 Cover will cover your helper’s hospitalisation and surgical expenses for Covid-19 treatment should she develop the symptoms within 14 days upon her arrival or return to Singapore. This is helpful, as the insurance will pay for it rather than it coming out of your own pocket.
Important:
| For new FDWs entering Singapore | For FDWs already working in Singapore |
| Covid-19 cover is mandatory | Covid-19 cover is optional |
This enhancement is available with ePROTECT maid from Tiq by Etiqa
2. Security Bond Protector
With the security bond protector, you can avoid losing the $5,000 security bond should your helper suddenly go missing, get pregnant or violate any of the conditions of the Work Permit. Remember, if this was initially paid for by your basic maid insurance, you need to pay back this amount should laws be broken or conditions be violated.
This enhancement is available with ePROTECT maid from Tiq by Etiqa
3. Critical Illness Coverage
Helpers, just like us, are flesh and blood too, and could be stricken with a critical illness. As we know, getting hit with a critical illness can be financially taxing. As an employer, you might feel obligated to support your maid through this difficult period, but you may not be financially able to do so.
The next best thing is to enhance your helper’s plan with a benefit that provides a lump sum payout for the fees and many other expenses of a serious illness.
This enhancement is available with ePROTECT maid from Tiq by Etiqa
4. Home Protection
Accidents at home can happen anytime — and could be triggered by anyone. Sometimes it takes just a few seconds of inattention to cause an accident. So it makes sense to get a good home contents insurance.
To further protect your home and its contents from any loss or damage — that may or may not have been accidentally caused by your helper (i.e. fire, burglary or theft) — it’s a good idea to consider a Home Protection add-on for your maid insurance.
This enhancement is available with ePROTECT maid from Tiq by Etiqa
5. Physical Abuse Coverage
With this add-on, you can get a payout if the maid physically abuses your child (up to the age of 12), an elderly (above the age of 65) or handicapped person in your family.
This enhancement is available with ePROTECT maid from Tiq by Etiqa
Consider ePROTECT maid from Tiq by Etiqa
Have you relooked your existing maid insurance? Does the coverage suit all of your and your helper’s needs?
When it comes to maid insurance, there might be a lot of coverage you’re missing out on. Don’t fall into the trap of buying the first insurance plan offered to you. In addition to the basic coverage benefits, always compare and consider:
- Additional benefits
- Coverage amount
- Ease of claims
Here are the benefits that ePROTECT maid from Tiq by Etiqa offers:
| BENEFITS | PLAN A | PLAN B | PLAN C |
| Sum insured(S$) | |||
| Letter of Guarantee to the Ministry of Manpower Singapore | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Repatriation Expenses | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Hospitalisation & Surgical Expenses (annual limit for inpatient expenses including day surgery) | $15,000 per year | $15,000 per year | $15,000 per year |
| Wages & Levy Reimbursement (max. 30 days of Hospitalisation) | Up to $30 per day | Up to $30 per day | Up to $30 per day |
| Alternative Maid Services (max. 30 days of Hospitalisation) | Up to $10 per day | Up to $15 per day | Up to $20 per day |
| Termination/ Re-Hiring Expenses | $250 | $300 | $350 |
| Special Grant | $500 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Medical expenses reimbursement in the event of abuse by maid | Up to $5,000 | Up to $5,000 | Up to $5,000 |
| Personal Accident Benefits | |||
| Accidental Death | $60,000 | $65,000 | $70,000 |
| Permanent Disablement | |||
| Medical Expenses due to Accident or Injury | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Recuperation Benefits
(max. 30 days of Hospitalisation) |
Up to $10 per day | Up to $15 per day | Up to $20 per day |
| Third Party Liability | $5,000 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
(Source: Tiq by Etiqa)
Add-ons:
| BENEFITS | Sum insured(S$) |
| COVID-19 Cover (New) | $15,000 |
| POLO Letter of Guarantee | $7,000 |
| Security Bond Protector (Popular) | $5,000 (excess of $250) |
| Additional Hospitalisation & Surgical Expenses (Popular) | Top-up sum of $5,000 to $25,000 |
| Critical Illness Cover | Choice of $5,000/$10,000/$20,000 |
| Home Cover (valuables are capped at 10% of sum insured) | Option of up to $5,000/$10,000/$20,000 |
| Additional Third Party Liability | Option of $25,000/$50,000/$75,000 |
(Source: Tiq by Etiqa)
Current promotion: Enjoy 25% off premiums when you purchase an ePROTECT maid from Tiq by Etiqa Insurance.
Disclaimer:
This policy is underwritten by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Company Reg. No. 201331905K). This advertisement is for general information only. Full details of the policy terms and conditions can be found in the policy contract. Protected up to specified limits by SDIC. Full details of the policy terms and conditions can be found in the policy contract. Information is accurate as at 29 March 2021.