Hiring a domestic helper in Singapore comes with legal responsibilities that protect both your household and your worker. Two of the most important requirements set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) are maid insurance and the security bond for a maid. Getting these right from the start means fewer financial surprises and a smoother, more stable working relationship for your family.
This guide explains what each requirement covers, which features to look for in a policy, and how Inter Great Employment helps Singapore families make a confident, informed choice.
What Is Maid Insurance With Security Bond?
Maid insurance with a security bond is a combined solution that fulfils two separate MOM obligations: a mandatory insurance policy covering your helper’s medical and accident needs, and a $5,000 guarantee pledging that she will comply with the conditions of her Work Permit. Many insurance providers bundle both into a single package, simplifying the administrative process for employers.
Understanding what each component does and how they work together is the foundation for choosing a plan that genuinely protects your household.
What Does A Maid Insurance Policy Actually Cover?
A maid insurance policy covers your helper’s personal accident protection, hospitalisation, and surgical expenses, with MOM setting minimum coverage thresholds every employer must meet. The right plan goes further than the legal floor by matching coverage to the realities of your household.
Here are the core coverage areas to understand before committing to any plan:
Personal Accident Protection
MOM requires a minimum of $60,000 per year for personal accident coverage. This covers accidental death and permanent disability. Given that domestic work involves physical activity around the home every day, having coverage above the minimum provides better protection.
Hospitalisation and Surgical Coverage
Also mandated at a minimum of $60,000 per year, this covers inpatient treatment, surgeries, and associated fees. Hospital costs in Singapore can escalate quickly with extended stays or specialist care, so higher limits are worth factoring into your decision.
Wages and Levy Reimbursement
If your helper is hospitalised and unable to work, this benefit reimburses you for the salary and MOM levy you continue to pay during her absence. Not every plan includes this, but for households that depend heavily on daily support, it is an important buffer.
Theft or Fidelity Protection
This covers financial losses from theft by your helper. It is rare, but it is a meaningful layer of protection for your household’s belongings and finances that more comprehensive plans include.
Understanding The Security Bond For Maids In Singapore
The security bond for a maid is a $5,000 MOM requirement for every non-Malaysian migrant domestic worker employed in Singapore. It is not a cash deposit you pay upfront. Instead, most employers fulfil it through an insurance guarantee letter, which the insurer submits directly to MOM on your behalf as part of the maid insurance package.
The bond acts as a pledge that your helper will comply with her Work Permit conditions. If she breaches those conditions, such as by overstaying or taking on unauthorised employment, MOM may claim the $5,000 from the insurer. The insurer can then seek reimbursement from you through a process known as counter indemnity.
The Waiver Of Counter Indemnity
This optional add-on is one of the most practical enhancements available. With the waiver in place, your financial exposure is capped at a small excess, typically around $250, even if the full $5,000 bond is called. For most families, this is one of the most cost-effective additions to any maid insurance with a security bond plan.
What To Look For When Choosing A Maid Insurance Plan
Choosing the right maid insurance plan means looking beyond the legal minimums and assessing what your household actually needs.
Consider these factors when evaluating your options:
- Medical limits above the MOM minimum: Higher hospitalisation and surgical limits reduce your out-of-pocket exposure if your helper needs extended treatment.
- Waiver of counter indemnity: This add-on limits your liability on the security bond for a maid if it is ever forfeited through no fault of your own.
- Wages and levy reimbursement: Particularly relevant for households where your helper’s daily presence is essential to your family’s routine.
- Ease of claims: A transparent, responsive claims process is as important as the policy terms. Check reviews from actual policyholders, not just marketing materials.
How Inter Great Helps You Choose The Right Plan
Inter Great Employment Pte Ltd (MOM EA Licence No: 14C6931) does not leave families to navigate maid insurance decisions alone. Choosing a maid security bond arrangement involves trade-offs that are not always obvious to first-time employers, and even experienced ones can miss important details in the policy terms. Our consultants guide every employer through the process as part of our placement service.
We start with your household, not a product catalogue
Before recommending anything, we ask about your household composition, your helper’s duties, and how dependent your family will be on her daily presence. These factors directly affect which coverage features matter most for your specific situation.
We explain the security bond in plain language
Many first-time employers are unsure what the maid security bond actually requires of them. We walk you through the guarantee process, what triggers a forfeiture, and whether the waiver of counter indemnity is the right call for your circumstances.
We present options that fit, not the full market
Rather than presenting every available plan, we identify the shortlist that genuinely matches your profile and explain the trade-offs in language that makes your decision straightforward.
We stay involved after your helper arrives
Our support does not end at placement. If questions come up about insurance renewals, MOM requirements, or changes in your household situation during the contract period, we are here to help you work through them.
Conclusion About Maid Insurance With Security Bond In Singapore
Understanding maid insurance with a security bond is the first step every Singapore employer should take before their helper’s Work Permit is issued. The right plan protects your helper, caps your financial exposure, and ensures you stay compliant with MOM requirements throughout the contract.
For professional guidance on finding the right helper and the right coverage for your home, trust Inter Great Employment Pte Ltd (MOM EA Licence No: 14C6931), your trusted partner for domestic helpers and caregivers in Singapore.
(Disclaimer by Inter Great: all above information and/or monetary figures are meant for reference only. Please refer to MOM’s official website for updated and accurate information, or consult our recruitment consultant if you need professional advice and consultation.)
Frequently Asked Questions About Maid Insurance With Security Bond
What Is The Minimum Required Coverage For Maid Insurance?
MOM mandates that all migrant domestic workers must have at least $60,000 per year in personal accident insurance and at least $60,000 per year in hospitalisation coverage. Many plans offer higher limits than these minimums, which provide greater protection for both employer and helper.
Is A Security Bond Refundable?
The security bond is a pledge rather than a cash deposit if you use an insurance guarantee. You are discharged from this liability once your helper’s Work Permit is cancelled, and she has returned home without any bond conditions being breached.
How Much Is The Security Bond For A Maid?
The mandatory maid security bond set by MOM is $5,000 per non-Malaysian helper employed in Singapore. Most maid insurance packages cover this through an insurance guarantee letter submitted directly to MOM.
What Is A Waiver Of Counter Indemnity?
This is an optional add-on that limits your financial liability to a small excess, usually around $250, if the insurer has to pay out the $5,000 security bond to MOM. It is one of the most practical add-ons available in maid insurance with a security bond package.