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 Type | 5-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 |
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 AVIVA to offer up to $130,000 of home contents insurance for 1 year, all for free. The plan covers:
- Up to $20,000 on household contents
- Up to $50,000 on renovations, fixtures and fittings
- Up to $50,000 on personal legal liability
- Up to $10,000 on alternative accommodation expenses
It only takes one unfortunate accident to bust the bank, so grab this opportunity while it lasts. For more details and enquiries, call Ohmyhome at 6886 9009 or WhatsApp at 9755 1009. Or schedule an appointment with us right here.
DISCLAIMER: Terms and conditions apply. The above products are underwritten by Aviva. 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 or negotiations between you and Aviva or in the arrangement of any insurance contract between you and Aviva. Please direct all insurance enquiries to Aviva.
This policy is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact Aviva Ltd or visit the General Insurance Association or SDIC websites (www.gia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg). Information is accurate as of September 2021.
Contributed by: Zhen Hao Guo | Updated by: 19 May 2022 | Featured Image: Facebook
