After settling the agency and third-party fees e.g., flight ticket, MOM, medical, it is natural to want to save money on the final step: insurance.

Most employers view maid insurance as a "tick-box" exercise to satisfy MOM requirements. They sort by "Lowest Price," pay the ~$400, and forget about it.

At gentleHelp, we urge you to reconsider. While the premiums for budget plans are attractive, they often leave you—the employer—exposed to financial risk..

Why Her Health is "No Joke" (The Financial Reality)

It is crucial to remember that Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) do not enjoy subsidized healthcare in Singapore.

If your helper falls ill, you are paying "foreigner rates" at public hospitals. A simple appendicitis surgery can cost $8,000. A sudden stroke or a cancer diagnosis can easily run into the tens of thousands.

Under MOM regulations, you are legally responsible for her medical upkeep.

This is why we say: Insurance isn't just for her health; it’s for your wallet.

6 Decisions: Top Up or Take the Risk?

Every employer has a different risk appetite. You don't necessarily need the most expensive "Platinum" plan, but you need to know exactly what risks you are taking by going "Basic."

Ask yourself these 6 questions before you buy:

1. The $5,000 Security Bond (The Risk)

• The Risk: You are required to pledge a $5,000 Security Bond to MOM. If your helper breaks the law or goes missing and is unaccounted for ("runs away"), MOM may forfeit this bond, and you lose $5,000 cash.
• The Decision: Most insurers offer a "Waiver of Counter Indemnity." If you have this, the insurer pays the $5,000 bond to MOM, and you only pay a small excess (usually $250).
• Ask Yourself: Am I willing to risk losing $5,000, just to save ~$50 on the premium now?

2. The "Hidden 25%" (Waiver of Co-payment)

• The Risk: Under MOM's new rules, basic insurance covers hospitalization up to $60,000. However, for any claim amount above the first $15,000, you (the employer) must co-pay 25% of the bill.
• The Scenario: If a surgery bill is $55,000, the first $15,000 is fully covered. The remaining $40,000 is split: the insurer pays 75%, but you must pay $10,000 cash.
• The Decision: You can buy a "Waiver of Co-payment" add-on. If you have this, the insurer pays 100% of the bill (up to the limit), and you pay $0.
• Ask Yourself: Am I prepared to pay thousands in cash for that 25% co-payment portion, or do I want the insurance to cover 100% of the bill?

3. The "GP Visit" Cost (Outpatient Medical)

• The Risk: Most basic plans do not cover standard GP visits for flu, cough, or fever. You pay every time she sees a doctor ($40-$60 per visit).
• The Decision: Top-tier plans often cover these visits cashless.
• Ask Yourself: Do I prefer to "pay as I go" for minor illnesses, or do I want the peace of mind that even small doctor visits are covered?

4. The "Salary Safety Net" (Wages Compensation)

• The Risk: If she is hospitalized, you still have to pay her salary legally, even though she isn't working.
• The Decision: Better plans pay you a daily allowance (e.g., $30/day) during her hospital stay to offset this cost.
• Ask Yourself: Can I afford to pay her salary while also paying for a temporary part-time cleaner, or do I want insurance to cover her wages?

5. The "Double Whammy" (Repatriation & Rehiring)

• The Risk: If she suffers a major illness (like a stroke) and is medically unfit to work, you face two huge costs:
  1. Repatriation: You must pay to send her home safely
  2. Rehiring: You suddenly need a new helper, which means paying agency fees all over again
• The Decision: Comprehensive plans cover the repatriation flight and give you a "termination grant" to offset the cost of hiring a replacement.
• Ask Yourself: If my helper becomes unfit to work, can I afford the flight home AND the agency fees for a new helper at the same time?

6. The "Accidental Damage" (Third-Party Liability)

• The Risk: Accidents happen. She leaves a tap running and floods the condo downstairs, or accidentally scratches a neighbor's car while washing the porch.
• The Decision: Basic plans have low liability limits.
• Ask Yourself: If my helper accidentally causes expensive damage to someone else's property, do I want the insurance to handle the lawsuit?

GentleHelp Partners with FWD and NTUC Income. Need a Second Opinion?

There is no "perfect" policy, only the right one for your budget and risk tolerance.

Contact GentleHelp today. We can help you find the policies that best suit your need.

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