Upwill
Manpower Placement Agency

Maid Insurance Comparison Singapore 2026: 6 Plans Compared

TL;DR: This maid insurance comparison ranks the six major Singapore insurers for 2026 on price, medical cap, hospital direct billing, dental and repatriation, then names the best plan for budget, family and eldercare households so you renew with confidence.

This maid insurance comparison covers buying maid insurance in Singapore in 2026, also called domestic helper insurance or simply helper insurance, which is nothing like it was three years ago. The Ministry of Manpower's Enhanced Medical Insurance (MI) framework, rolled out in two stages (Stage 1 in July 2023 and Stage 2 in July 2025), has reshaped what every policy must cover, how claims are paid, and how much employers actually fork out at the hospital counter. If you are renewing or buying for the first time, this guide compares the six major insurers, decodes the 25% co-pay rule, and tells you which plan wins for your household type.

Singapore employer comparing maid insurance plans at home with documents and laptop

What MOM Requires (the 2026 Baseline)

Before comparing premiums, understand the legal floor. Every Singapore employer of a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) must hold these in 2026:

  • Medical insurance: minimum S$60,000 per policy year (raised from S$15,000 in July 2023). Covers inpatient and day-surgery expenses.
  • Personal accident insurance: minimum S$60,000 sum insured for death and permanent disability.
  • S$5,000 security bond: a banker's or insurer's guarantee payable to MOM. Most insurers bundle this with the PA plan at no extra premium.
  • Hospital direct billing via a Letter of Guarantee, mandatory under Stage 2 since July 2025. Employers no longer need to front large bills out of pocket.
  • 25% co-payment on the portion of inpatient medical claims exceeding S$15,000, shared between employer and insurer, capping employer exposure.
  • Age-differentiated premiums for helpers aged 50 and above, and standardised exclusion clauses across all insurers (Stage 2).

Note that the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) does not cover FDWs, which is precisely why this insurance is mandatory. For the full statutory breakdown, see our helper insurance overview and coverage details guide.

The Six Major Maid Insurance Providers in Singapore

Six insurers dominate the FDW market in 2026. All meet the MOM minimum; the differences sit in the optional limits, dental, repatriation, and outpatient coverage.

Six maid insurance brochures laid out on a comparison desk

  • Insurer A (cooperative): strong brand trust, competitive 26-month plans, generous outpatient add-ons. Reviewed in depth in our named-insurer comparison.
  • Insurer B (digital-first): cheapest entry-tier premiums, app-based claims, popular with first-time employers.
  • Insurer C (Japanese group): strongest mid-tier balance, well-known for fast Letter of Guarantee turnaround.
  • Insurer D (US group): premium tier with the highest medical caps (up to S$100,000) and best repatriation cover.
  • Insurer E (European group): niche dental and outpatient riders, popular with eldercare households.
  • Insurer F (regional bank-linked): strong bundling discounts when bought with home or domestic-helper-related products.

Premium Comparison: Entry to Top Tier

Indicative 26-month premiums for a helper under 50, including the S$5,000 security bond, MOM-compliant medical, and PA. Figures rounded for comparison; always quote your own helper's age.

InsurerEntry Tier (26 mo)Mid TierTop TierMedical CapDental
Insurer AS$278S$348S$458S$60k / S$80kS$100
Insurer BS$258S$328S$418S$60k / S$70kS$80
Insurer CS$288S$358S$478S$60k / S$90kS$150
Insurer DS$308S$388S$528S$60k / S$100kS$200
Insurer ES$298S$368S$498S$60k / S$85kS$180
Insurer FS$268S$338S$438S$60k / S$75kS$100

Add roughly S$60-S$120 for helpers aged 50 and above under Stage 2 age-banded pricing.

The 5 Coverage Dimensions That Actually Matter

Forget the glossy brochures. After Stage 2 standardised the basics, only five variables genuinely separate plans:

  1. Medical cap above S$60,000: top tiers stretch to S$100,000, useful for households worried about long ICU stays.
  2. Outpatient and specialist consultation: most entry plans exclude this; mid tiers include S$200-S$500 per year.
  3. Dental treatment: ranges S$80-S$200 per year. Trivial in dollar terms but a real claim category.
  4. Repatriation and replacement helper: covers air ticket and recruitment costs if your helper must return home permanently due to illness or death.
  5. Wages compensation during hospitalisation: typically S$30-S$50 per day, capped at 30 to 60 days.

How the 25% Co-Pay and Hospital Direct Billing Really Work

Hospital admissions counter with clipboard and insurance documents

This is where most employers get confused. Under Stage 1 (July 2023), MOM introduced a 25% co-pay above S$15,000. Under Stage 2 (July 2025), direct billing via the Letter of Guarantee (LOG) became mandatory.

Worked example: your helper is admitted for an emergency appendectomy with a final bill of S$23,000. The first S$15,000 is covered fully by your insurer. On the remaining S$8,000, you co-pay 25% (S$2,000) and the insurer pays 75% (S$6,000). Your out-of-pocket cost: S$2,000, settled directly with the hospital via LOG, not S$23,000 upfront.

Before Stage 2 you would have had to pay the hospital first and claim later. Now the insurer settles with the hospital and bills you only the co-pay. For step-by-step claims walkthroughs, see our claims process guide.

Which Plan Wins for Your Household

Budget households (couples, no children, healthy young helper)

The MOM minimum is genuinely sufficient. Pick the cheapest entry tier from Insurer B or F (around S$258-S$268 for 26 months). You will be fully compliant with all 2026 rules and have S$60,000 medical plus S$60,000 PA.

Comprehensive households (young children, frequent overseas trips)

Choose a mid-tier from Insurer A, C, or E (around S$348-S$368). You get higher outpatient limits, better dental, and stronger wages compensation if your helper is hospitalised while you are abroad.

Eldercare households (elderly parents, helper assisting with medication)

Pay for a top tier, Insurer D or C (around S$478-S$528). The S$90,000-S$100,000 medical cap matters because eldercare helpers are statistically more exposed to back injuries, falls, and infectious illness from caregiving. Add the strongest repatriation rider.

Helper assisting elderly Singaporean grandparent at HDB home

Common Mistakes Singapore Employers Make

  • Auto-renewing without re-comparing. Premiums shifted significantly after Stage 2. Mid-tier plans today often cost less than entry-tier plans from 2023.
  • Buying only the MOM minimum for an elderly helper. Age-banded pricing means the gap to a higher tier shrinks, so the upgrade is cheaper than you think.
  • Forgetting that the policy must align with the Work Permit duration. A 12-month policy on a 24-month permit is non-compliant.
  • Assuming pre-existing conditions are covered. Stage 2's standardised exclusion clauses are explicit: declared pre-existing conditions are excluded across all six insurers.
  • Skipping the Letter of Guarantee. Some employers still front-pay at the hospital out of habit. Always present your policy at admission, since it triggers direct billing.

How to Buy, Switch, or Renew

Buying is straightforward: get a quote, pay online, and the insurer issues the certificate and S$5,000 bond to MOM electronically. Switching mid-policy is allowed but rarely worth it. Most insurers refund pro-rata only after a S$50-S$80 cancellation fee, and the new insurer's pre-existing condition exclusions reset. Renew at least 14 days before expiry to avoid a coverage gap that could invalidate the Work Permit.

If you are still deciding, our helper insurance hub walks through the full purchase flow, and the insurance FAQ answers the edge cases. For a deeper look at one of the most popular plans, read our named-insurer review.

This guide reflects MOM Enhanced MI Stage 2 rules effective July 2025 and pricing observed in early 2026. Premiums are indicative; always confirm with the insurer at point of purchase.

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