This week, it’s all about shifts, shake-ups, and silver linings. COE prices have finally taken a breather after months of record highs, while a trusted insurer quietly boosts protection for Singapore’s servicemen. Over in the art world, a surprise gallery liquidation has left both employees and artists scrambling for answers. Pet owners, though, have something to cheer about—a new cashless way to manage vet bills. And for travellers dreaming of their next getaway, a regional telco alliance is promising a smarter, more rewarding journey with its latest cross-border perks. Here are the week’s top 5 stories worth your time.
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Singlife boosts coverage for MINDEF and MHA insurance scheme
From 1 Nov 2025, Singlife will increase the core insurance coverage for all eligible Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) personnel—from $300,000 to $350,000. The move strengthens protection for in-service members, NSmen and NS volunteers under the Group Term Life (GTL) and Group Personal Injury (GPI) policies.
What’s changing:
- New coverage amount: $350,000 (up from $300,000)
- Schemes covered: GTL and GPI
- Effective date: 1 Nov 2025
- Who’s covered: MINDEF and MHA personnel, NSmen, NS volunteers
Singlife Group CEO Pearlyn Phau said the enhancement reflects the insurer’s long-standing commitment to those who serve Singapore—continuing a partnership that dates back to 1983.
Members can also opt for the Voluntary Scheme to:
- Increase coverage or add riders for critical illness and disability
- Extend protection to dependants
- Access discounts on travel, home, car and selected health plans
This update coincides with SG60, celebrating national service and financial security together.
Beecroft–Income cashless service makes pet surgeries easier on the wallet
Beecroft Animal Specialist & Emergency Hospital and Income Insurance have launched Singapore’s first cashless value-added service for pre-approved, scheduled pet surgeries—a big win for pet parents watching costs. From 4 November 2025, Income Happy Tails policyholders can have their pets admitted at Beecroft with a Letter of Guarantee, so there’s no upfront deposit. Co-insurance and deductibles still apply, but the admin load drops thanks to direct claims processing—mirroring the cashless hospitalisation model we’re used to in human healthcare. It’s a meaningful step towards more accessible, transparent vet care in Singapore.
How it works at a glance:
- Who’s eligible: Income Happy Tails policyholders
- Where: Beecroft Animal Specialist & Emergency Hospital
- What’s covered: Pre-approved, scheduled surgeries requiring general anaesthesia
- Payment flow: LOG issued—no deposit; claims processed directly
- Costs: Co-insurance & deductible apply according to plan
ALSO READ: 17 Popular Vet Clinics in Singapore and Their Prices—Consultation, Vaccinations and More
WanderJoy: Singtel leads Asia’s first cross-border travel rewards platform
The Travel Alliance, led by Singtel and joined by major Asia-Pacific telcos, has rolled out WanderJoy the world’s first cross-border rewards programme for travellers. The platform aims to make travel smoother and more rewarding by uniting perks from multiple telcos into one seamless experience.
Through the My Singtel app, users can now unlock travel privileges—from premium airport lounges to hotel discounts and dining offersm—all without juggling multiple accounts.
Here’s what WanderJoy offers at launch:
- Partners: Dragonpass, Estée Lauder, Grab, KKday, Omio, and Trip.com
- Perks:
- Up to 50% off bus, ferry, and train rides (Omio)
- Up to 15% off curated tours (KKday)
- $120 in travel savings via Grab Travel Pass
- Exclusive beauty gifts from Estée Lauder with qualifying spends
- 10% off hotels and 6% off flights via Trip.com
Singtel’s Anna Yip says the initiative moves beyond connectivity—turning telcos into “travel enablers” and redefining how travellers stay connected, rewarded, and inspired on the go.
ALSO READ: Best Hotel Rewards and Loyalty Programmes That Work Around the World
Art Works liquidation leaves staff unpaid and artists without their works
Singapore-based art investment firm Art Works has gone into liquidation, leaving employees without wages and artists uncertain about the fate of their pieces. The company, which operated an art gallery at One Holland Village, appointed Forvis Mazars as provisional liquidators on 30 October after declaring it could no longer operate.
What happened:
- Employees: Around 15 staff were told of the closure at a sudden meeting, with no notice or payout for salaries and CPF.
- Artists: Several, including US-based artist Sylvie Kettle and Singapore’s Zhang Fuming, say they’ve yet to recover artworks worth up to $100,000 or receive payments for sold pieces.
- Operations: The gallery shut abruptly with artworks still inside; its website and social media were taken offline.
- Next steps: The liquidator will contact artists and clients to arrange retrieval or storage of artworks.
Art Works’ directors blamed the collapse on “rising operating costs” and a failure of expected funding amid Singapore’s weak retail climate. Police confirmed a report has been lodged, but did not share details.
This marks yet another sudden business closure in Singapore’s tightening economic environment.
COE premiums fall across all categories as supply edges up
Car buyers finally have something to smile about—COE premiums dropped across all categories in the latest bidding exercise on 5 Nov 2025. This marks the first tender under the new quota for November to January, with overall supply rising 1.5%, though it’s the smallest bump in recent quarters.
Here’s how the numbers shifted:
Category | Type | This round | Previous | % Change |
A | Small cars (≤1,600cc, ≤130bhp) | $110,002 | $122,000 | ▼9.8% |
B | Large/powerful cars | $115,001 | $131,889 | ▼12.8% |
C | Commercial vehicles | $76,000 | $76,801 | ▼1.0% |
D | Motorcycles | $8,600 | $9,389 | ▼8.4% |
E | Open category | $121,010 | $136,000 | ▼11.0% |
A total of 4,167 bids were received for 3,209 COEs, reflecting steady demand despite the easing prices.
For motorists, this round signals short-term relief—especially for smaller cars—but experts expect future fluctuations as quotas remain tight and demand rebounds toward year-end.
That’s it for this week! Stay tuned for next week’s What’s Happening This Week to keep up with the latest in finance, business, and beyond.
This article was first drafted with the help of AI and later reviewed and refined by the author.
