The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to 1,954 fire calls in 2023, about 8.6% higher than 2022. Close to half of these fires – 970 in total – occurred in residential buildings, while the remaining were in non-residential buildings and non-building structures.
The origins of fire are usually caused by electrical faults, followed by fires caused by unattended cooking. Owners of HDB flats will know that they have to buy mandatory HDB Fire Insurance when buying homes with an HDB Housing Loan. Those who take up Bank Loans will very likely have to buy similar fire insurance coverage with their banks.
What Is The HDB Fire Insurance Scheme And How Much Does It Cost
If you have an HDB Mortgage Loan, it is compulsory for you to take up an HDB Fire Insurance.
The HDB Fire Insurance Scheme was introduced to help relieve flat owners of the financial burden of repair work in the unfortunate event of a fire.
Flat owners with HDB loans commencing on or after 1 September 1994 must buy and renew the HDB Fire Insurance for their homes, for as long as they have an outstanding HDB loan.
Further, those who have a policy start date from 16 August 2019 to 15 August 2024 are insured under FWD’s Fire Insurance Policy. From 16 August 2024 to 15 August 2029, the insurance provider is Etiqa.
Since the change in insurance provider, the premiums have decreased alongside a rise in the sum insured:
| Flat Type | 5-Year Premium | Sum Insured |
| 1-room/ Community Care Apartment | $1.11 | $37,900 |
| 2-room/ 2-room Flexi/ Studio Apartment | $1.99 | $57,000 |
| 3-room | $3.27 | $83,300 |
| 4-room/ S1 | $4.59 | $117,000 |
| 5-room/ S2/ 3-Geneneration | $5.43 | $144,800 |
| Executive/ Multi-Generation | $6.68 | 176,700 |
For reference, the old rate was:
| Flat Type | 5-Year Premium | Sum Insured | ||
| Before 31 Dec 2022 (including 7% GST) |
From 1 Jan 2023 (including 8% GST) |
From 1 Jan 2024 (including 9% GST) |
||
| 1-room | $1.62 | $1.63 | $1.65 | $29,000 |
| 2-room/ 2-room Flexi | $2.71 | $2.73 | $2.76 | $48,700 |
| 3-room | $4.87 | $4.91 | $4.96 | $60,400 |
| 4-room/ S1 | $5.94 | $5.99 | $6.05 | $82,000 |
| 5-room/ S2/ 3-Generation | $7.13 | $7.19 | $7.26 | $97,300 |
| Executive/ Multi-Generation | $8.10 | $8.18 | $8.25 | $106,200 |
| Studio Apartment (Type A/ B) | $2.71 | $2.73 | $2.76 | $48,700 |
All HDB flat owners taking out an HDB loan are automatically signed up for HDB Fire Insurance, currently provided by Etiqa (the previous insurer was FWD, and incidentally, the insurer before that was also Etiqa). The Fire Insurance is valid for a five-year period; renewal is done once every five years.
You have to pay for a fire insurance plan for as long as you have an outstanding HDB loan. The cost ranges from $1.11 to $6.68 for five years.
How To Purchase Or Renew Your HDB Fire Insurance
If your HDB Fire Insurance is expiring, you can purchase or renew your policy at Insurer Etiqa’s website, at any AXS kiosk or on the AXS mobile app, or you can head down to Etiqa’s Customer Service Centre at One Raffles Quay, #22-01, North Tower, Singapore 048583 (strictly by appointment).
Opening hours are: Mondays to Fridays, 8:45am-5:30pm, excluding Public Holidays.
Contact: WhatsApp and call at +65 6887 8777 or email to customer.service@etiqa.com.sg.
What Does The HDB Fire Insurance Cover
The HDB Fire Insurance covers the cost of reinstating damaged internal structures, fixtures, as well as areas built and provided by HDB. It does not include home contents such as furniture, renovations and personal belongings.
This means that in the event of a major fire, you don’t have to pay to fix the damage to your walls, electrical wiring, and HDB water pipes.
As seen by the table below, the mandated insurance covers structural parts of the house and is a bare minimum cover. And, you can also see that Etiqa’s Tiq Home Insurance provide more extensive coverage.
The Difference Between Fire Insurance And Home Insurance
If you wish to go further to extend protection over your home contents that are not covered under the HDB Fire Insurance, you can buy a separate home insurance policy.
Home Insurance covers renovations, home furnishings and your home contents. In general, these are the areas it covers:
- Fittings, fixtures, and renovation work
- Contents of your home, such as personal items, money and valuables, and home appliances
- Personal liabilities
- Alternative accommodation
- Emergency Home Assistance, electrician, locksmith, pest control and plumber
There are typically two types of Home Insurance protects you against fire occurrences. The first is insured peril, which covers you for specific events or mishaps, such as fires, floods, and thefts. The second is all risk coverage, offering protection for a wide range of situations and costs more.
You can buy a separate Home Insurance policy from an insurer of your choice. A list of general insurers can be found on the website of the General Insurance Association of Singapore (GIA).
Home Insurance plans start from $32 and can be as pricey as $200 a year, depending on how comprehensive the contents coverage and the flat size. Providers for Home Insurance include FWD, NTUC Income, Singlife, AIG, and Etiqa.
Do You Need To Buy HDB Fire Insurance Even Though You Already Have An Existing Home Insurance
As long as you have an outstanding HDB mortgage loan, HDB Fire Insurance is mandatory and required by HDB.
It is after all a small fee to keep you and your home structure safe to prevent any shocks and surprises caused by accidents.
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