Short answer: MOM sends the Work Permit renewal letter about 8 weeks before your helper's permit expires. Before the permit can be renewed, the medical insurance, personal accident insurance and S$5,000 security bond all have to be renewed, and you can buy them from any insurer. Switching is usually where the savings are, but the insurers treat a helper's pre-existing conditions differently, so that rule is worth checking before you move.
The renewal timeline
These steps come from MOM's Work Permit renewal page for migrant domestic workers (last updated 1 January 2026).
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| About 8 weeks before expiry | MOM sends the renewal letter |
| Before renewing the permit | Renew or extend the medical insurance and personal accident insurance, and buy a new S$5,000 security bond (not needed for Malaysian helpers) |
| Check page 2 of the letter | It states whether your helper needs a medical examination |
| Renew the permit | S$35 per renewal, and the outcome is immediate |
Insurance and the bond can come from a bank or any insurer, so renewal is not tied to the company that covered the last two years.
14 months or 26 months?
MOM renews a Work Permit for up to 2 years. The permit is shorter if the insurance runs for less than 26 months, or if the helper is approaching age 60. In practice that means:
- 26-month cover lets the permit run the full 2 years, with 2 months of buffer at the end.
- 14-month cover gives a permit of about a year, and you go through renewal again sooner.
SGfi's comparison prices the 26-month term, because that is the term the partner insurers publish a price for. The 14-month term is bought direct from the insurer, and MSIG MaidPlus is currently sold as a 26-month policy only.
Switching insurer: the pre-existing conditions rule
Every plan in the comparison excludes pre-existing conditions at first, then covers them once a condition is met. The condition differs by insurer, and it decides whether a switch costs your helper any cover. Summarised from each insurer's policy wording or brochure:
| Insurer | When pre-existing conditions are covered |
|---|---|
| FWD | Once the helper has worked in Singapore as a helper for at least the past 12 consecutive months |
| HL Assurance | Once the helper has been a domestic worker in Singapore for a continuous period of over 12 months, with the 25% co-payment above S$15,000 up to S$60,000 |
| AIG | Hospital and surgical cover only after 12 continuous months of employment with the same employer |
| Great Eastern | When the helper was continuously covered under a prior maid policy with no break in cover |
| MSIG | A continuous-cover waiver applies if the helper was previously insured with MSIG without a break |
What that means at renewal:
- FWD and HL Assurance count the helper's time working in Singapore, not time with that insurer. A helper who has been here more than a year meets the condition whichever insurer covered her before.
- AIG counts employment with the same employer, so the clock depends on how long she has worked for you rather than on the insurer.
- Great Eastern depends on there being no gap. A policy that starts the day after the old one ends keeps the condition met.
- MSIG waives the exclusion only for helpers previously insured with MSIG, so moving to MSIG from another insurer starts the pre-existing exclusion again.
Keep the cover continuous
The renewed permit needs insurance in place for its whole period, and MOM will not renew the permit until the insurance and bond are done. Starting the new policy on the day the old one ends avoids a gap, and a gap is also what breaks the continuous-cover condition some insurers use for pre-existing conditions.
Cancelling a policy you no longer need
Refund terms differ by insurer. FWD, for example, refunds 100% of the premium if you cancel within 3 months. If your helper's employment ends early, check the cancellation clause before buying, since a 26-month premium is paid up front.
Comparing prices at renewal
Premiums change often, and the cheapest insurer two years ago may not be the cheapest now. SGfi's maid insurance comparison ranks the plans by 26-month price for your choice of co-payment and medical limit, with MOM-required cover side by side. For the full cost of employing a helper, including the levy and permit fees, see the cost of hiring a maid in Singapore.
Common questions
When should I renew my maid insurance? After MOM's renewal letter arrives, about 8 weeks before the Work Permit expires. The insurance and security bond have to be renewed before the permit can be.
Can I change maid insurance company when renewing? Yes. MOM accepts insurance and the security bond from any bank or insurer. Check how the new insurer treats pre-existing conditions if your helper has one.
Do I need a new security bond when renewing? Yes, for every helper except Malaysian helpers. All of the plans in SGfi's comparison include the S$5,000 bond as a Letter of Guarantee. The security bond guide explains when it can be forfeited.
Is 14-month or 26-month maid insurance cheaper? A 14-month policy costs less up front, but it only supports a Work Permit of about a year, so you buy cover twice over a 2-year contract. SGfi publishes 26-month prices only, so compare the 14-month quote from the insurer against that.
All figures are based on publicly available information from MOM and the insurers as of October 2026. Terms may change without notice. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
SGfi is for educational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Not affiliated with the CPF Board or MAS. Please consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.