Insurance for your helper is not optional fine print — parts of it are a legal condition of her Work Permit. But there is also a layer of optional cover that can save you real money and worry if things go wrong. Knowing the difference helps you protect your helper properly without paying for things you do not need. Here is what is mandatory in Singapore, and what is genuinely worth adding.
What the law requires
To employ a Migrant Domestic Worker, MOM requires you to buy two types of cover before her Work Permit is issued, and to keep them valid for the whole duration of employment:
- Medical insurance — covering your helper’s inpatient care and day surgery, up to at least the minimum sum MOM sets. This protects you from large hospital bills.
- Personal accident insurance — paying out a minimum insured sum if your helper suffers death or permanent disability from an accident.
These minimum coverage amounts are set by MOM and are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current required sums with MOM or your insurer before you buy. Letting either policy lapse is a breach of your Work Permit conditions.
How insurance links to the $5,000 security bond
For non-Malaysian helpers, you also need a $5,000 security bond. In practice, most employers satisfy this with a bond in the form of an insurance product rather than locking up $5,000 of their own cash. Many insurers bundle the medical cover, personal accident cover and the security bond into a single helper insurance package, which is usually the simplest and most cost-effective route.
Good to know: the security bond is waived for Malaysian helpers, so your insurance package for a Malaysian helper typically covers just the mandatory medical and personal accident components.
Optional cover worth considering
Beyond the minimums, many packages let you top up. These are not compulsory, but they can be sensible depending on your circumstances:
- Higher medical limits — hospital bills can exceed the minimum required sum, and you remain liable for the shortfall, so a higher ceiling buys peace of mind.
- Outpatient and dental cover — for everyday clinic visits not covered by the mandatory inpatient policy.
- Wages and levy reimbursement — helps cover ongoing costs if your helper is hospitalised and unable to work.
- Repatriation and replacement — assists with the cost of sending a helper home or hiring a replacement in difficult situations.
- Re-hiring or refund benefits — some plans contribute towards agency fees if the placement ends early.
What to check before you buy
- Does the policy meet MOM’s current minimum medical and personal accident sums?
- Does it include the $5,000 security bond (for non-Malaysian helpers), or do you need that separately?
- What are the co-payment terms — will you share part of any claim?
- How are pre-existing conditions and exclusions handled?
- Does the coverage period match the full length of the Work Permit, including renewals?
Premiums vary by insurer, coverage level and policy length, so it is worth comparing a couple of options. We will not quote a fixed premium here — check your insurer for the latest pricing, as these change.
How Ming Hwee helps
Insurance is one of those areas where the wrong choice only shows up at the worst possible moment. As an MOM-licensed agency (Licence 12C6072), Ming Hwee guides you to a compliant package that meets MOM’s requirements, folds in the security bond where needed, and flags the optional add-ons that actually make sense for your household. Want a hand choosing? Find your helper or message us on WhatsApp and we will point you in the right direction. This is general guidance only — please confirm specifics with your insurer.
Related guides
- How Much Should You Pay Your Helper? A 2026 Salary Guide
- The $5,000 Security Bond Explained: A Guide for Employers
- The Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Explained (and the Concession)
Ready to hire? Get a free, no-obligation helper shortlist from Ming Hwee — Singapore’s trusted maid agency since 1983.
