Maternity insurance is a prenatal insurance policy plan that can be purchased when one is pregnant. It covers unexpected pregnancy complications that could affect either the mother or the child.
Claims are usually disbursed through one-time payouts. This helps to mitigate further medical expenses due to the pregnancy complication.
Premiums are not returned and there are no payouts if the pregnancy is successful.
Who is eligible for maternity insurance?
Expectant mothers who are between 13 to 36 weeks pregnant can purchase maternity insurance. You pay the same premium whether you purchase the policy at the 13-week or 36-week mark.
If you are thinking of getting maternity insurance, we recommend you buy it as soon as possible so you benefit from a longer period of coverage, since you pay the same premium.
Who needs maternity insurance?
Maternity insurance is optional, but it offers would-be parents some assurance.
According to SingHealth, miscarriages happen in up to 25% of pregnancies. In such cases, the mother may be advised to undergo a surgery to remove tissues from the uterus after the miscarriage. Such procedures cost up to $2,180, the Women’s Clinic of Singapore’s charges indicate.
Maternity insurance also helps parents guard against additional expenses that come from premature births. The World Health Organisation states that 5% to 18% of babies across the world are born before their due date. Premature babies are often at risk of health problems, and may be required to stay at a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Each day at the NICU costs around $1,000, excluding costs for check-ups and medicine.
We recommend maternity insurance for people who:
- Have a history of illnesses
- Are at an advanced maternal age
- Have a family history of congenital disorders or pregnancy complications
- Are worried of carrying unknown genetic disorders that may be passed on to your child
Coverage for mums
Maternity insurance usually covers a wide range of pregnancy complications, including common problems such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, premature pregnancies, and miscarriages.
Maternity insurance may also include mental health and hospitalisation benefits, where payouts are given if the mother is warded for pregnancy-related complications.
| Company | Great Eastern | Prudential | Manulife | NTUC | AIA | Aviva | AXA |
| Plan name | Great Maternity Care | PRUMum | Readymummy | Maternity 360 | 1. AIA Mum2Baby Protect (AIA GPP(II)) 2. AIA Mum2Baby(IFP) 3. Prenatal Rider: AIA Baby Protect Plus (II) | MyMaternityPlan | 1. AXA HappyMum 2. AXA HappyFamily 3. AXA EmpoweredMum |
| Total permanent disability benefit | 100% of sum assured | NA | |||||
| Pregnancy complication benefit | 100% of sum assured | ||||||
| Number of pregnancy complications covered | 19 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 15 |
| Daily Hospital care benefit for mother | 2% of sum assured up to 30 days | 1% of sum assured up to 50 day, For ICU & HDU | 1% of sum assured up to 30 day | 1% of sum assured up to 30 day | 2% of sum assured up to 30 days | 1% of sum assured up to 30 days | 2% of sum assured up to 30 days |
| Number of hospital conditions* covered | 9 | 9 | – | 8 | 9 + 14 | 18 | 9 + 15 |
*Hospital conditions refer to those which are not specific to pregnancy and delivery, such as appendicitis during pregnancy and cardiomyopathy suffered after delivery.
Coverage for the child
Maternity insurance also covers birth defects. Some of the most common and serious birth defects include congenital heart diseases, cleft lip or palate, clubfoot, missing or undeveloped limbs, and down syndrome. A maternity insurance plan should cover 17 to 25 types of birth defects.
| Company | Great Eastern | Prudential | Manulife | NTUC | AIA | Aviva | AXA |
| Death benefit | 100% of sum assured | 100% of sum assured | 100% of sum assured | 100% of sum assured | Before 14 days: 20% After 14 days: 100% | 100% of sum assured | 100% of sum assured |
| Congenital illnesses benefit | 100% of sum assured | ||||||
| Number of birth defects covered | 26 | 25 (up to 3y.o) | 24 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 26 |
| Daily Hospital care benefit for child | 2% of sum assured up to 30 days | 1% of sum assured up to 50 day, For ICU & HDU | 1% of sum assured up to 30 day | 1% of sum assured up to 30 day | 2% of sum assured up to 30 days | 1% of sum assured up to 30 days | 2% of sum assured up to 30 days |
| Number of hospital conditions covered | 6 | 8 | – | 7 | 6 (Including infectious disease/admit to HDU/ICU) | 8 (Including admission to NICU/HDU) | 17 (Including admission to ICU/HDU) |
Choosing a maternity insurance plan that best suits your needs
Maternity insurance comes either as a standalone plan or part of a package. A standalone package only covers pregnancy-related complications, while a package bundles other policies with the maternity policy.
Choose the right plan based on its payout structure, number of years it covers, and coverage conditions. We detailed some of the maternity policies available in Singapore in the table below.
The list is not exhaustive. For more details, please consult your financial advisor, or write to us at ask@plannerbee.co.
| Company | Great Eastern | Prudential | Manulife | NTUC | AIA | Aviva | AXA |
| Availability | Standalone + Guaranteed option to purchase life insurance for newborn | Standalone or Bundle with guaranteed option to transfer life insurance to newborn | Standalone + Guaranteed option to purchase life insurance for newborn | Standalone No GIO, require simplified underwriting within 60days, sum assured maximum of $150,000 | Bundle with guaranteed option to transfer life insurance to newborn | Bundle with option to purchase additional life plan can only cover up to $150,000 | Bundle with guaranteed option to transfer life insurance to newborn |
| Guaranteed coverage for newborn without medical underwriting | Life / TPD / CI / ECI (ECI coverage transfer below age 6 of max $30K for congenital illnesses) | – | Life / TPD / CI / ECI with possible exclusion clauses | – | Life / TPD / CI / ECI (ECI coverage transfer below age 6 of max $30K for congenital illnesses) | Life / TPD | Life / TPD / CI / ECI (ECI coverage transfer below age 6 of max $30K for congenital illnesses) |
| Sum assured | $5,000 to $10,000 | $5,000 to $20,000 | $5,000 to $20,000 | $5,000 to $10,000 | $5,000 to $25,000 | TBA | $5,000 to $30,000 |
| Mother entry age | 18-45 | TBA | 18-45 | 17-44 | 18-45 | 18-45 | 18-45 |
| Covers pregnancy from | 13 to 40 Weeks | 13 to 35 weeks Assisted pregnancies 18 – 35 weeks | 13- week | 13 to 35 Weeks | 13 to 36 Weeks | 13 to 36 Weeks | 13 to 36 Weeks |
| Policy term | 3 Policy Years | 4 policy years | 3 Policy Years | 3 Policy Years | 3 Policy Years | 3 Policy Years | 3 Policy Years |
| Assisted pregnancies | Yes | Yes from 28 weeks | Yes | TBA | Yes | Yes (Cover IVF, ICSI, IUI + ICI – Depends on UW) | Yes |
| Others | |||||||
| Psychological benefits | Up to 3 sessions | Payout for Psychological Consultations is up to S$200. The Insured can receive up to 5% sum assured with Postpartum Depression diagnosis | Psychotherapy treatment- 10% of sum assured | ||||
| Developmental delays | Covers developmental delay of child (10% of SA) | Developmental Delay Benefit for Child: 15% SA (Cap at $3,000) | |||||
| Jaundice related benefits | – | GDM complications and resulting conditions – 10% of sum assured | 1% of sum insured/ day of rental of a phototherapy machine for the child (up to 10 days) | 1% of sum insured/ day of rental of a phototherapy machine for the child (up to 10 days) | Outpatient treatment for jaundice (1% of SA, up to 10 days) | ||
| Early delivery benefits | – | – | – | – | – | – | Early Delivery by Caesarean Section Benefit for Mother: 15% SA |
| Hospitalisation benefit for newborn | – | – | – | – | – | – | Free guaranteed issuance for Shield Plan B first year |
| More than 1 fetus benefit | Covered for Twins (50% SA each) | – | – | – | – | Cover up to 4 babies in 1 pregnancy | Twins need to buy 2 ALT/AFPs |
Things to note
It is important to note that if your pregnancy complication or the birth defect is not covered by your policy, there will be no payout.
Additionally, if your maternity insurance is part of a package, the accompanying whole life or investment-linked insurance policy (ILPs) will still be payable in the event that your child or fetus dies. The maternity policy will continue to cover the mother.
To purchase, or not to purchase?
In Singapore, health insurance coverage is compulsory. But while MediShield Life and the Integrated Shield plans provide some coverage for pregnancy complications and hospitalisation expenses, it may not be enough for more complex pregnancy cases.
For example, MediShield Life and the Integrated Shield plans do not offer any payouts for emergency Caesarean sections, miscarriages, premature births, or birth defect treatments.
These conditions may require you to pay out of your own pocket if you are not sufficiently insured.
Maternity insurance can protect your family from any unforeseen circumstances and expenses during and after your pregnancy.
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