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Does HDB’s Fire Insurance cover everything? Valuable Things to Protect

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Fires don’t take a holiday, and neither should your insurance premiums. 

Nobody thinks they will be affected by a house fire until it happens to them. In the past week alone, four large fires in HDB estates have been reported. On 13 May, a large-scale fire broke out at Block 409 Bedok North Avenue 2, resulting in 60 people being evacuated as a safety measure. The day after that, on 14 May, another large-scale fire broke out at a 29th-floor unit in Block 180C Marsiling Road.

More recently, on 17 May, a fire broke out at Block 117 Jalan Bukit Merah, causing some 35 residents in neighbouring units to be evacuated for safety. According to the Facebook post by MP Indranee Rajah (PAP-Tanjong Pagar), no one was injured and the affected family were safe as they were out at the time of the incident. Some home contents were affected, however, as a photo of the unit where the fire broke out showed a charred bed frame and burnt walls.

With the rising number of house fires since the start of the year, it’s becoming more important to understand the true cost of home accidents and how you can protect yourself, your home and its contents in the event that such incidents occur.

1. Building Coverage: The Home’s Skeleton

Otherwise known as the HDB Fire Insurance Scheme, building coverage would be the first insurance plan secured by most HDB flat owners. This plan allows homeowners to make claims for rebuilding any permanent or semi-permanent fixtures within their home, and is compulsory for all HDB flat owners to purchase.

Of course, your yearly premiums and sum insured will differ depending on the type of flat you own. 

Flat Type5-Year Premium (Including 7% GST)Sum Insured
1-room$1.62$29,000
2-room/ 2-room Flexi$2.71$48,700
3-room$4.87$60,400
4-room/ S1$5.94$82,000
5-room/ S2/ 3-Generation$7.13$97,300
Executive/ Multi-Generation$8.10$106,200
Studio Apartment (Type A/ B)$2.71$48,700
*Numbers effective from 16 Aug, 2019 to 15 Aug, 2024. | Source: HDB Fire Insurance

2. Renovation: The Add-ons

The HDB Fire Insurance Scheme does not cover all of your home interior, especially if renovation work has been done. Interior makeovers don’t come cheap, either. Depending on how extensive the reworks are, an average 4-room flat renovation could set you back between $7,400 to $71,370. 

I don’t know about you, but that definitely sounds a lot more expensive compared to a free home contents insurance plan. Especially one that will only take an hour for you to sign up.

3. Home Contents: The Ingredients

If fire insurance covers your home’s skeleton, then home contents coverage covers its organs. And those organs can be very expensive.

Beds can cost anywhere between $599 to $5000, and we know that you definitely have that work-from-home office setup that cost you over a thousand dollars. Throw in the usual essentials like the fridge and washing machine, and you’ll soon have quite the bill on your hands. 

Oh, and did you know that kitchen appliances also count as home contents, even if they came complimentary with the home? That means you’ll have to get your gas stove, hob, and hood covered if you wish to make claims for them when a fire occurs.

 
 
 
 
 
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Get insured for FREE (Seriously!)

As you know now, HDB fire insurance doesn’t cover everything. Your home contents need protecting too, especially if it will cost you up to thousands when replacing your personal belongings such as furniture, tech gadgets and so on.

Complement your HDB fire insurance with home contents insurance!

Ohmyhome is partnering with Singlife with Aviva to offer up to $130,000 of home contents insurance coverage for 1 year, all for free. The plan covers:

  • Up to $20,000 on household contents
  • Up to $50,000 on renovations
  • Up to $50,000 on family worldwide liability
  • Up to $10,000 on alternative accommodation/ loss of rent

It only takes one unfortunate accident to bust the bank, so grab this opportunity while it lasts. For more details and enquiries, WhatsApp Ohmyhome at 9755 1009. Or schedule an appointment with us right here.


IMPORTANT NOTES: Policies are underwritten by Singapore Life Ltd (“Singlife”). This is not an insurance contract. Full details of the standard terms and conditions of this policy can be found in the relevant policy contract.

Protected up to specified limits by SDIC. Ohmyhome is not an insurance agent or intermediary and is not allowed to solicit any insurance business or give advice on or recommend any product nor be involved in any discussions, negotiations, or the arrangement of any insurance contract between you and Singapore Life Ltd. Please direct all insurance enquiries to Singapore Life Ltd.

Information is accurate as of Oct 2022.


Contributed by: Zhen Hao Guo | Updated by: 14 Nov 2022 | Featured Image: Facebook

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