Are You Looking For Foreign Domestic Maid Insurance?
Am I Responsible For My Foreign Domestic
Maid's Medical Expenses?
Yes, as an Employer, you are required to bear the full cost of the medical care, including hospitalization. It is advisable to have insurance coverage for hospitalization expenses for your maid. Depending on the options you choose when purchasing personal accident insurance coverage, it may have been included.
Personal Accident Coverage
Employers are required to purchase personal accident insurance coverage for the maid, and the minimum sum insured as required by MOM is $40,000. The amount is claimable should your maid suffers death or permanent disability due to accidents. It is important to note that this particular coverage is strictly applicable for accidents only. If the cause of death or permanent disability is not due to accident (eg. illness) you cannot make a claim under this category.
Medical Insurance Coverage
MOM requires all foreign domestic workers holding Work Permits to have a minimum medical insurance coverage of $15,000 a year. Medical expense coverage is can help you pay to your maid’s medical bills if she requires inpatient treatment at a government or restructured hospital. This is crucial because there is currently no subsidy for foreigners at government or restructured hospitals. If your maid does not have Hospital and Surgical coverage, in the unfortunate event she is warded her medical bills can be staggering.
Security Bond
The insurance company will issue a Letter of Guarantee for a $5,000 security bond on your behalf to Ministry of Manpower, so that you don't have to laid down any cash deposit. However, depending on the insurance package and options you purchase, you may still be liable for the $5,000 if you fail to repatriate the maid.
Waiver of Counter Indemnity
This is usually an addon feature with additional premium payable for most foreign domestic maid insurance plans. The waiver of counter indemnity limits your $5,000 bond liability to $250 or whichever amount stated by the insurance company on the application form, if the breach of the bond is not due to your negligence or fault.
Daily Wages & Levy Reimbursement
Allows you to claim for daily wages and levy reimbursement when your maid is hospitalized due to injury or illness.
Termination Expenses
Coverage for termination expenses when your maid is certified unfit for work by a medical practitioner either due to injury or illness
Repatriation Expenses
Coverage for repatriation expenses when you need to send your maid back to her home country upon death or permanent disablility due to injury or illness.
Other Useful Details About Foreign Domestic Maids
Can I employ maids from any country?
No, you can only employ maid from MOM approved countries for Foreign Domestic Workers. These countries are: Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka,and Bangladesh.
What medical checks are necessary for my maid?
Within 14 days of your maid arrival to Singapore, she must be certified fit after she undergos a medical examination. Then, the maid will be required to undergo medical screening for VDRL, HIV, pregnancy once every 6 months
How much is the maid levy?
The Levy is $265 per month. However, if your have children aged less than 12 years old or live with elderly persons aged 65 years old and above, the levy is reduced to $170 per month. CPF Board, as the collection agent, collects the Levy on behalf of MOM.
Can I claim tax relief for maid levy?
You can claim tax relief if:
- You are a married woman and has elected for separate assessment; or
- You are married and your husband is not resident in Singapore; or
- You are separated or divorced or widowed and living with your unmarried child for whom you can claim child relief.
The relief is two times the amount of maid levy paid for one maid. It can only be set off against the earned income of the wife. Single taxpayers are not eligible for this relief. You can get the relief even if the levy is paid by the husband.
Can I get refund on the maid-levy paid during the period that my maid goes on home leave?
Yes, you can go to any CPF branch, and produce your maid's passport to support your claim for refund for the period that your maid is not in Singapore.
Do I have to pay the maid salary when she goes on home leave?
Usually home leave is considered no-pay leave, but it can vary according to the terms stated on your employment contract with your maid.