3 Essential Insurance Policies for Living in Singapore (2024 Latest Version)

Singapore attracts numerous talented young individuals from Asian countries who come here to study and work. The benefits of living in Singapore are clear:

  • 70% Chinese Population: Most people can communicate in Chinese, making it feel almost like home for friends coming from mainland China.
  • Pleasant Environment: Known as a garden city, Singapore offers a very comfortable and clean living environment.
  • Clean Government: Everyone is equal in Singapore, and there are no special privileges. As long as one works hard, there are opportunities to carve out a successful life. Government policies are mostly transparent.
  • Low Taxes, Bilingual Education, International Financial Center: These are among the many advantages of living here.

 

However, Singapore is often ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world, and medical expenses here can be beyond the reach of an average family. Therefore, the first step to settling down and thriving in Singapore is to transfer potential financial risks to insurance companies, ensuring that your hard-earned money isn’t all spent on hospital bills due to illness.

With 22 insurance companies in Singapore, each offering 20-30 different products, the market can be quite overwhelming. As a new immigrant, it’s important to cut through the complexity and ensure that every dollar spent on insurance is worthwhile. This article highlights the three most essential types of insurance you need in Singapore.

 

1. Medical Insurance

Every Singapore citizen or permanent resident is covered under the basic healthcare system, MediShield Life. This lifelong health insurance covers a large portion of medical expenses in public hospitals, specifically in B2 and C class wards.

However, if you prefer better hospital conditions, such as B1 or A class wards in public hospitals or private hospitals, MediShield Life alone won’t be sufficient. This is where Integrated Shield Plans (IP) come in. IPs are commercial insurance plans that build on the basic national healthcare coverage, providing enhanced benefits. It’s important to note that the coverage from MediShield Life and IP are not overlapping; IPs supplement the MediShield Life plan.

Benefits of IP:

  • Significantly increases the annual claim limits.
  • If combined with IP riders, out-of-pocket costs are reduced, covering up to 95% of medical expenses.

Medical insurance is the most crucial insurance in Singapore. MediShield Life premiums can be paid using CPF (Central Provident Fund), and the main premium of IP can also be paid using CPF. For those without CPF, local medical insurance can be paid fully in cash. Once Singapore Permanent Residency status is obtained, the insurance company can be informed to update the information so that the main premium can be paid using CPF.

 

2. Life Insurance

Life insurance is particularly important for individuals with families and children. Unlike critical illness insurance, life insurance is relatively straightforward as it primarily covers death, with most policies also including an additional rider for total permanent disability. The recommended coverage amount is typically 10 times the annual household income. For example, with an annual income of SGD 100,000, a life insurance policy with a coverage amount of SGD 1 million is advisable.

Term life insurance premiums in Singapore are very competitive compared to other countries and regions, and as long as the insured person is not too old, the premiums are quite affordable.

 

3. Critical Illness Insurance

Critical illness insurance differs from medical insurance in that it provides a lump sum payment upon diagnosis of a critical illness (such as stroke, heart disease, cancer, etc.), rather than covering hospital and surgical expenses on a reimbursement basis. The premium for critical illness insurance increases with age, so it is advisable to obtain coverage as early as possible.

 

Recommended Coverage Amount for Critical Illness Insurance:

The suggested coverage amount is typically 5 years of annual income. For example, with an annual income of SGD 80,000, it is recommended to have critical illness insurance with a coverage amount of at least SGD 400,000. This is because the recovery period for major illnesses is generally around 5 years. The lump sum payment from the insurance can alleviate income concerns, reduce work pressure, enable lifestyle changes, and allow for a stress-free recovery.

Critical illness insurance comes in various forms, including lifelong and term policies, with options for cash value and non-cash value (pure consumption type). This can be complex, and if you are interested, we can discuss it further in person.

 

Conclusion

While there are many insurance products available, focusing on these three essential types — medical insurance, life insurance, and critical illness insurance — will help ensure financial stability and peace of mind while living in Singapore. It’s crucial to make informed decisions to protect yourself and your family from unforeseen financial burdens due to medical emergencies.

Important: The information and opinions in this article are for general information purposes only. They should not be relied on as professional financial advice. Readers should seek independent financial advice that is customised to their specific financial objectives, situations & needs. This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Published By:

Lidwina Teo 维娜

With over 5 years of experience in client service industries, I come to understand and appreciate the importance of high-quality customer service and customer experience. The key is to always prioritize the best interests of customers, ensuring their needs and expectations are met with professionalism.

The passion for client service extends into my current role where I strive to deliver personalized financial planning services. With more than 150 business partners in our company, I can help you achieve your financial goals by analyzing various financial products and offering tailored financial advice. 

Contact me now to request for a quotation or schedule a coffee session for further discussion. See you soon!

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In compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act, Financial Alliance Pte Ltd (“FAPL”) seek your consent to collect and use your personal data (e.g. name, NRIC, contact numbers, mailing addresses, email addresses and photograph) for the purposes of and in accordance with FAPL’s Data Protection Policy, which can be found on FAPL’s website at https://fa.com.sg/data-protection-policy/.

根据《个人数据保护法》,鑫盟理财私人有限公司征求您的同意向您收集并使用您的个人信息。鑫盟理财将根据公司的个人数据保护政策所阐述的用途使用您的个人资料(例如姓名,证件号码,联系电话,邮寄地址,电邮地址和照片)。 该政策可在本公司网站上查寻,网址为 https://fa.com.sg/data-protection-policy/.

By submitting this form, you are deemed to have read and understood FAPL’s Personal Data Policy.

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  • I have read and understood FAPL’s Personal Data Policy, and hereby give my acknowledgement and consent to FAPL to use my personal data in accordance with FAPL’s Personal Data Policy.
  • 我已阅读并理解鑫盟理财私人有限公司的个人数据保护政策,并同意鑫盟理财私人有限公司根据个人数据保护政策所阐述的用途使用我的个人资料。
  • I have read and understood the disclaimers above and hereby affirm my acceptance of these terms.
  • 我已阅读并理解了上述免责声明,特此声明接受这些条款。
  • I have not been directly contacted or approached by any representative or employee of FAPL with an offer or solicitation to apply for any financial products not offered in my home country.
  • 鑫盟理财私人有限公司的代表或员工并未直接与我联系或提出要约或招揽购买我原居住国境内所不提供的任何金融产品.
  • Financial Alliance Pte Ltd ( “FAPL”) is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) and allowed to conduct financial advisory activities in accordance with the Financial Advisers Act (Cap. 110) (“FAA”) and the Securities & Futures Act (Cap. 289) (“SFA”) within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Singapore and in accordance with the licenses granted by MAS
  • 鑫盟理财私人有限公司( “鑫盟理财”)持有由新加坡金融管理局(“MAS”)所颁发的牌照,并许可在新加坡共和国境内依据财务顾问法(第110章)和证券与期货交易法(第289章)进行财务咨询等相关业务
  • Any services provided by FAPL to persons not ordinarily resident in Singapore are provided solely on an offshore basis from Singapore, resulting from direct enquiry on the part of the foreign residents.
  • 鑫盟理财为非新加坡居民所提供的任何服务仅限于直接向鑫盟理财发出咨询请求的国外居民。
  • As an integral part of the provision of such services, FAPL may from time to time make available to such residents, documents and information making reference to capital markets products (for example, in connection with the provision of fund management or investment advisory services outside of the foreign jurisdiction).
  • 作为提供此类服务的一部分,鑫盟理财会不时向此类咨询者提供有关产品的参考文件和信息(例如,关于海外司法管辖区以外的资金管理或投资咨询服务等信息)。
  • Such documents and information are provided by Financial Alliance Pte Ltd (“FAPL”) is for general information only and is not intended for anyone other than the recipient.
  • 此类由鑫盟理财所提供的文件和信息仅供收件人做一般信息参考。
  • It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person.
  • 此类文件和信息不会把-个人投资目标,财务状况或其特定需求等考虑在内。
  • It does not constitute the making available of, or an offer or solicitation by FAPL to buy or sell or subscribe for any such capital markets product or to enter into a transaction or to participate in any particular trading or investment strategy nor an advice or a recommendation with respect to such financial products.
  • 鑫盟理财向该人士提供此类文件和信息将不构成要约或招揽购买或出售或认购任何此类资本市场产品,或达成交易或参与任何特定的投资策略,也不构成有关此类金融产品的建议或推荐。
  • These documents may not be published, circulated, reproduced or distributed in whole or in part to any other person without FAPL’s prior written consent.
  • 未经鑫盟理财的事先书面同意,不得将这些文件全文或部分发布,传播,复制或分发给其他人。
  • This document is not intended for distribution to, publication or use by any person in any jurisdiction, where such distribution, publication or use would be contrary to applicable law or would subject FAPL and its related corporations, connected persons, associated persons and/or affiliates to any registration, licensing or other requirements within such jurisdiction.
  • 鑫盟理财无意在分发,出版或使用此类文件可能违反当地法律,或本公司及关联公司或关联人士需要注册,获得许可或符合规定的司法权区向当地人士分发、出版此类文件或供其使用。
  • You shall ensure that you have and will continue to be fully compliant with all applicable laws in your home country when entering into discussion or contracts with FAPL.
  • 在与鑫盟理财进行讨论或签订合约时,您应确保您已完全遵守并将继续遵守您所在原居住国的所有适用法律及条规。

In compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act, Financial Alliance Pte Ltd (“FAPL”) seek your consent to collect and use your personal data (e.g. name, NRIC, contact numbers, mailing addresses, email addresses and photograph) for the purposes of and in accordance with FAPL’s Data Protection Policy, which can be found on FAPL’s website at https://fa.com.sg/data-protection-policy/.

根据《个人数据保护法》,鑫盟理财私人有限公司征求您的同意向您收集并使用您的个人信息。鑫盟理财将根据公司的个人数据保护政策所阐述的用途使用您的个人资料(例如姓名,证件号码,联系电话,邮寄地址,电邮地址和照片)。 该政策可在本公司网站上查寻,网址为 https://fa.com.sg/data-protection-policy/.

By submitting this form, you are deemed to have read and understood FAPL’s Personal Data Policy.

提交此表格,即表示您已阅读并理解鑫盟理财私人有限公司的个人数据政策