From dengue fever to hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), some sicknesses just keep rearing their ugly heads among us, making the headlines time and time again.
In 2025, HFMD cases among preschoolers surged to a daily average of 61, exceeding figures from the past 2 years. Meanwhile, dengue fever cases have dipped in 2025, but NEA has warned that a global uptick in dengue fever and Singapore’s low population immunity could trigger another spike.
With these recent surges, it’s hard to predict when you might fall ill or when your child might bring home HFMD from preschool. On top of that, HFMD is highly contagious, so there’s always the worry of passing it on to others. A friend of mine caught HFMD from her child and shared how painful her mouth sores were, making eating nearly impossible.
As if the discomfort wasn’t enough, falling sick often means a trip to the doctor and additional expenses, which can be especially frustrating when you’re already feeling unwell.
But here’s some good news: common sicknesses like dengue fever and HFMD can be covered by insurance.
Sicknesses you didn’t know could be covered under personal accident insurance
Think a personal accident (PA) insurance plan only covers accidents such as falls, sprains and strains? Think again. PA plans have expanded to include coverage beyond just accidental injuries.
An accident is commonly defined as an event that results in a sudden, unforeseen and involuntary injury, independent of sickness, disease or any other causes. This includes injuries sustained from—but not limited to—the following events:
- Traffic collision
- Slip and fall
- Mishaps from sports and leisure activities. This includes scuba diving and parachuting for leisure, conducted under licensed supervision, with safety measures taken
PA plans also cover specific sicknesses such as dengue fever, Zika virus, food poisoning (gastroenteritis), or HFMD. Of course, coverage varies across different PA plans, and you should check your plan’s coverage for more details on the list of sicknesses covered.
One such PA plan that offers coverage for unexpected sicknesses is the My GREAT PA Plan, introduced by OCBC Bank on 30 April 2025. This personal accident insurance plan covers up to $500 in medical expense reimbursement for each incident of specific sicknesses, including HFMD, food poisoning, dengue fever, and Zika virus.
But that’s not all. Other benefits include:
- $1 million accidental death coverage
- Up to $1,000 per accident in medical reimbursement that includes physiotherapy expenses (includes up to $500 per accident for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Chiropractic and specified Allied Health Professionals treatment^)
- $200 daily hospital cash (up to 180 days per accident or per specific sickness)
- Worldwide coverage, including accidents that occur overseas
Coverage for My GREAT PA Personal Accident Plan
| Specific Sickness/injury | Estimated medical bills | Payout amount |
| In March, you caught dengue fever at home | $600 | $500 (limit per specific sickness) |
| In May, you caught HFMD from your relative’s preschooler | $550 | $500 (limit per specific sickness) |
| Cycling accident with a 3-day hospital stay | $1,200 | $1,000 (limit per accident) + $600 (3 days of daily hospital cash at $200/day) |
| Total: | $2,350 | $2,600* |
*Total payout includes hospital cash, which is paid per day regardless of medical bill amount.
Claim up to $500 per covered sickness, each time it happens
As shown above, you can claim up to $500 per incident for each of the 4 specific sicknesses—HFMD, food poisoning, dengue fever, and Zika virus—not just once per covered sickness, but each time you contract it (as long as the claim meets eligibility criteria).
Accident medical reimbursement of up to $1,000 per accident
For accidents, the plan covers up to $1,000 in medical reimbursement per accident. If you’re hospitalised, you’ll also receive $200 in daily hospital cash—paid directly to you for each day you’re warded, for up to 180 days. Unlike an Integrated Shield Plan, which reimburses your medical bills, this benefit provides cash that you can use however you need, from transport to daily essentials.
Coverage for treatments after an accident
Follow-up treatments such as physiotherapy, TCM, chiropractic, and specified allied health professionals treatments are also covered. Just note:
- There is a $500 sub-limit per accident for TCM, chiropractic, and specified allied health professionals treatments ^
- Physiotherapy is not subject to this sub-limit, so you can use up to the full $1,000 accident claim limit for it
Worldwide coverage with no annual claim limit
My GREAT PA Plan provides worldwide coverage, so you’re protected whether accidents happen at home or overseas.
Unlike some personal accident policies that impose an annual claim limit (e.g. $5,000 per year), this plan doesn’t cap the number of claims you can make. Your coverage remains active after each claim, and you can continue to receive payouts for every qualifying accident or sickness.
For example, if you experience six separate accidents in a year, you can claim up to $1,000 per accident, rather than being restricted to a total combined payout.
The only exception? If a claim is made for accidental death, the policy will terminate.
What you need to prepare to make a claim
The only thing to note is that you’ll need to pay for your medical treatment upfront, then claim the costs back later.
Submitting your claims for My GREAT PA Plan is simple with the Great Eastern App. It’s fast, fuss-free, and there’s no need to download any forms. Just follow these steps:
- Hold on to all your medical receipts, doctor’s letters, and MCs. (Pro tip: take clear photos right after your visit or request a soft copy from the clinic.)
- Log in to the Great Eastern app and go to the claims section
- Enter the accident or covered sickness details and upload your supporting documents
- Submit your claim directly through the app
That’s it, no paperwork, no printing, no stress.
All-in-one plan that offers solid value
Still weighing up whether the My GREAT PA Plan is right for you? Here’s a quick look at some of its key benefits:
- A flat rate of $0.84/day* for those aged 18-54
- $25 cash if you sign up by 31 Aug 2025 via the OCBC app
- $1 million payout in the event of accidental death
- Backed by Great Eastern, a trusted and established insurer
My GREAT PA Plan is exclusively available to existing OCBC customers and can only be signed up for through the OCBC app.
If you’re considering personal accident coverage, this plan could offer an affordable and practical way to protect yourself from both sickness and accidents.
For more details or to apply, visit the OCBC website or head to the OCBC app (Login > Apply > Insurance > My Great PA Plan).
This post was written in collaboration with OCBC. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective lens. We are committed to providing the best information in order for you to make personal financial decisions with confidence.
About the author
Audrey Ng is a bargain hunter who tries to sniff out the best deals possible whether it’s food, shopping or travel. She will out auntie the auntiest of aunties.
*The daily premium rate is calculated based on the annual premium of S$305.20, rounded to the nearest cent. It includes the prevailing GST rate, which may change from time to time. The premium is not fixed and may change in the future.
^Treatments by Specific Allied Health Professionals are covered under My GREAT PA Plan’s Accidental Medical Expenses Reimbursement Sub-limit benefit
Important notes
My GREAT PA Plan is underwritten by The Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Great Eastern Holdings Limited and a member of the OCBC Group. This plan is not a bank deposit and OCBC Bank does not guarantee or have any obligations in connection with it.
This document does not take into account your particular investment and protection aims, financial situation or needs. You may want to seek advice from a financial adviser before committing to buy the product. If you choose not to seek advice from a financial adviser, you should consider whether the product is suitable for you.
You may terminate the policy during the free-look period (if any) if you decide that the purchased policy is not suitable for you. Note that by doing so, the insurer may recover from you any underwriting expense incurred.
It is usually detrimental to replace an existing accident and health plan with a new one. A penalty may be imposed for early plan termination and the new plan may cost more, or have less benefits at the same cost.
This document is for general information only. It is not a contract of insurance or an offer to buy an insurance product or service. It is also not meant to provide any insurance or financial advice. The specific terms and conditions of the plan are set out in the policy documents. If you are interested in the insurance policy, you should read the product summary and policy illustration (available from us) before deciding whether to buy this product.
We do not guarantee, represent or warrant that any of the information provided in this document is accurate and you should not rely on it as such. We do not undertake to update the information or to correct any inaccuracies.
All information may change without notice. We will not be liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly in connection with or as a result of you acting on the information in this document.
This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Policy Owner’s Protection Scheme
This policy is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact us or visit the Life Insurance Association (LIA) or SDIC websites (www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg).
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