HDB Fire Insurance Guide: Who Needs It, What It Covers & Premiums
A practical HDB fire-insurance guide explaining who must maintain the policy, what the scheme covers, what it does not cover and the current five-year premiums.
A practical HDB fire-insurance guide explaining who must maintain the policy, what the scheme covers, what it does not cover and the current five-year premiums.
- Who must buy
- Owners with qualifying outstanding HDB loans commencing on or after 1 Sep 1994
- Policy term
- 5 years
- Current insurer
- Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd.
- Current premium period
- 16 Aug 2024–15 Aug 2029
- What it covers
- Reinstating HDB-provided internal structures, fixtures and fittings after insured fire damage
- What it excludes
- Furniture, renovations and personal belongings
A practical HDB fire-insurance guide explaining who must maintain the policy, what the scheme covers, what it does not cover and the current five-year premiums.
Key Takeaways
- HDB fire insurance is not the same as comprehensive home insurance: it mainly protects the HDB-provided structure and fixtures.
- Current five-year premiums are very low, ranging from S$1.11 for 1-room/Community Care Apartment to S$6.68 for Executive/Multi-Generation flats.
- If you want cover for renovation, furniture, appliances or personal belongings, you need separate home-contents coverage.
Who needs HDB fire insurance?
HDB says flat owners with HDB loans commencing on or after 1 September 1994 must buy and renew HDB fire insurance every five years for as long as they have an outstanding HDB loan.
If you are unsure whether your flat is currently covered, HDB provides a Check Flat Details e-Service for policy validity.
What does the HDB fire-insurance scheme cover?
The scheme is intended to help with the cost of reinstating damaged internal structures, fixtures and areas built and provided by HDB after an insured fire event.
Think of it as structural reinstatement cover rather than a full home-contents policy.
What does it not cover?
HDB explicitly states that the scheme does not cover home contents such as:
- furniture
- renovations
- personal belongings
If you have spent significantly on carpentry, appliances, furniture or electronics, consider separate home insurance that covers those categories.
Current HDB fire-insurance premiums
The following five-year premiums apply for the period 16 August 2024 to 15 August 2029 and include 9% GST:
| Flat type | 5-year premium | Sum insured |
|---|---|---|
| 1-room / Community Care Apartment | S$1.11 | S$37,900 |
| 2-room / 2-room Flexi / Studio Apartment | S$1.99 | S$57,000 |
| 3-room | S$3.27 | S$83,300 |
| 4-room / S1 | S$4.59 | S$117,000 |
| 5-room / S2 / 3-Generation | S$5.43 | S$144,800 |
| Executive / Multi-Generation | S$6.68 | S$176,700 |
How do you buy or renew it?
HDB currently lists Etiqa as the appointed insurer. Purchase or renewal can be made through Etiqa, AXS channels or the insurer’s customer-service route.
After payment, allow time for HDB's validity information to update in the flat-details service.
HDB fire insurance vs home insurance
The easiest distinction is this: HDB fire insurance protects the basic HDB-provided structure and fixtures; a separate home policy can protect renovation, contents, appliances and other household risks depending on the policy you buy.
Do not assume that paying the HDB fire-insurance premium means your renovation and belongings are covered.
Related HDB guides
If you have just collected keys, start with our HDB Defects Inspection Checklist. For renovation work, see our HDB Renovation Rules and HDB Air-Con Installation Rules.