Every MDW employer in Singapore must meet specific insurance requirements. Here is what the rules actually say.
Before your MDW starts work, MOM requires you to have two types of insurance in place. Not after her first week. Not once you get around to it. Before she begins. This is not optional, and the consequences of getting it wrong fall on you as the employer.
Here is what the law currently requires.
Medical and hospitalisation insurance
You must provide your MDW with medical insurance covering at least $15,000 per year for inpatient care and day surgery. This covers hospitalisation costs if she falls ill or needs an operation. Many employers arrange this through their employment agency or directly with an insurer when the work permit is issued. The coverage must be maintained for the full duration of her employment in Singapore.
There is a practical reason this rule exists beyond compliance. Hospital bills in Singapore are significant. Without cover, a serious illness could leave your worker in debt or you facing unexpected costs. The insurance protects both parties.
Personal accident insurance
You must also purchase personal accident insurance providing a minimum of $60,000 in coverage. This applies in the event of accidental death or permanent disability. The policy must be bought before she starts work and kept current throughout her stay.
Some employers assume the medical policy covers accidents automatically. It does not always. Check your policy documents carefully, or ask your insurer directly.
What is not covered by MOM requirements
MOM sets minimums, not maximums. The required coverage is a floor, not a ceiling. Many MDWs work in households where the risk of illness or injury is higher — caring for elderly residents, handling stairs, or managing physically demanding routines. It is worth considering whether the minimum coverage is genuinely adequate for your household's situation.
Outpatient care — GP visits, for example — is not mandated by the insurance requirements, but you are still responsible for your worker's medical expenses as her employer. That responsibility exists separately from the insurance rules.
For MDWs: know what your employer must provide
If you are an MDW, you have a right to know what insurance your employer holds for you. You can ask directly. If you are uncertain whether coverage is in place, MOM's website allows permit holders to check basic details. You should not have to guess whether you are protected.
Understanding these rules clearly — not in fine print, but plainly — is part of what Anisya is built for. Whether you are an employer arranging cover for the first time or an MDW wanting to understand your rights, we aim to make that straightforward.