There are some compulsory minimum coverage requirements her plans must include. Continue reading to find out more on what FDW insurance should have and can include:
For starters, medical insurance must be purchased before your helper arrives in Singapore. Keep in mind that foreigners do not get subsidies like Singaporeans, so their medical bill sizes tend to be larger than Singaporeans at Restructured Hospitals. In the event that your helper needs medical treatment, her insurance plan must have sufficient amount to cover the medical expenses. This offers you a peace of mind when such unexpected expenses occur.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) states that the medical insurance must have a coverage of at least $15,000 per year for inpatient care and day surgery during your helper’s stay in Singapore. You are also strongly encouraged to buy additional insurance coverage for greater protection against excessive medical bills incurred by your FDW.
You may want to also check if the insurer has a rider for outpatient expenses, and if they cover other conditions such as pre-existing conditions and mental illnesses. While the rider is optional, having an additional layer of protection would give you a greater peace of mind. Hence, it is crucial to take some time to consider your insurance plan features and benefits to ensure greater protection.
It is also compulsory for employers to purchase personal accident insurance (PIA) of at least $60,000 coverage per year. This is to protect your helper and her family by providing a lump sum compensation if she suffers sudden, unforeseen and unexpected incidents resulting in permanent disability or death. Do also check if your insurance plan covers for repatriation expenses as these pay-outs may come in handy if there is a need to send your helper home.
Most insurance packages for FDWs would include the Security Bond together with the Personal Accident Insurance cover. The Security Bond, mandated at $5,000 is essentially a binding pledge payable to the government in the event either you or your worker breaks the law or Work Permit conditions during her employment.
Make sure you are clear that the insurance plans you are purchasing meet all of MOM requirements and that you are well aware of the features of the insurance plans you are getting for your helper. There are many other add-ons that you can consider having in your insurance plans such as increasing personal accident and medical coverage at additional premiums as medical costs are not subsidised for non-Singaporeans.
Unlike other workers, the Workman Injury Compensation Act (WICA) does not apply to FDWs. As they are employed by households and work and live in the same premises, it is difficult to determine whether any injury sustained in the premises was due to work-related activities.
In lieu of WICA, MOM mandates that all FDW employers must buy personal accident insurance (PAI) for their FDWs. Any accident, whether or not it is work-related, the PAI will provide compensation to the FDW or her next-of-kin in the event of permanent disablement or death. The required minimum sum assured for PAI is $60,000 from 1 October 2017.
It is a breach of the work pass regulatory conditions if employer does not buy the required insurance. If found to be in breach, the employer faces a fine, and may also be barred from employing FDWs.
You can buy plans from any insurer as long as it meets the compulsory minimum coverage requirements set by MOM. However, you are strongly encouraged to buy additional insurance coverage for greater protection against any unexpected or excessive costs incurred by your FDW and to have peace of mind.
When buying medical insurance for your FDW, you should pay attention to the features of the plan, such as the exclusion clauses.
Here at Nation, we provide assistance as part of our service offerings to employers in purchasing medical as well as personal accident insurance. We worked with insurance providers to ensure your insurance plans meet with MOM requirements. Most insurers would allow you to increase personal accident and medical coverage at additional premiums if you want a piece of mind in the event that the medical expenses are above the sum assured.
To ensure a clean, healthy and happy home, it is important to find a reliable employment agency that will provide well-trained domestic helpers for your family. Since its establishment in 1992, Nation has been providing trained foreign domestic workers (FDWs) to over 50,000 households in Singapore. Get in touch with us to start looking for the most suitable domestic helper for you and your family today.
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