By Winfred Quek · CEA R073319H · Published 26 October 2026
Facts verified: 26 October 2026 · Sources listed below
HDB fire insurance is one of the cheapest policies most owners will ever hold, and one of the most misunderstood. The premium is small enough to be forgotten, and the cover is narrow enough to surprise people after a fire. This page sets out what HDB says about who must hold it, what it pays for, what it does not, and how it differs from the two other insurances HDB owners hear about. It is general information from HDB and CPF Board pages and is not insurance advice.
Is it compulsory?
HDB's fire insurance page says flat owners with HDB loans commencing on or after 1 September 1994 must buy and renew HDB fire insurance every 5 years for their homes, as long as they have an outstanding HDB loan. In its comparison table HDB marks the scheme as mandatory for owners with an HDB housing loan and home insurance as optional.
Three things follow from that wording.
- The rule is tied to an outstanding HDB loan. HDB's page does not describe a fire insurance requirement for other owners, so if you have a bank loan, ask your bank what it requires. If you are a buyer comparing loan types, see HDB loan versus bank loan.
- The policy runs for 5 years at a time and has to be renewed. A policy that was bought once is not enough for the life of the loan.
- HDB says you can check whether yours is valid by logging in to the Check Flat Details online service, and to allow up to a week for it to update after a purchase or renewal.
Source: HDB, Fire Insurance (last updated 24 July 2026), https://www.hdb.gov.sg/managing-my-home/home-ownership/fire-insurance, checked 26 October 2026.
What it covers and what it leaves out
HDB describes the Fire Insurance Scheme as relieving owners of the financial burden of repair works after a fire. It covers the cost of reinstating damaged internal structures, fixtures and areas built and provided by HDB. In its comparison with home insurance HDB puts it as only the building structures, fixtures and fittings provided by HDB or its approved developers.
| Item | HDB fire insurance, per HDB |
|---|---|
| Internal structures, fixtures and areas built and provided by HDB | Covered |
| Furniture and other home contents | Not covered |
| Renovations you paid for | Not covered |
| Personal belongings | Not covered |
HDB lists, as examples of what home insurance may cover, household items and personal belongings, renovations, the cost of alternative accommodation, removal of debris and repair costs, and personal liability cover against damage to neighbours' property. It adds that the types of cover differ across insurers and that a home insurance policy is an optional purchase from an insurer of your choice. HDB strongly encourages owners to consider extra home insurance for contents.
Illustrative example, with assumed figures. Suppose a 4 room flat has an assumed $60,000 of renovation and an assumed $20,000 of furniture and belongings. After a fire, HDB fire insurance addresses the structures, fixtures and HDB provided areas, within the sum insured HDB lists for a 4 room flat, which is $117,000. The assumed $60,000 renovation and $20,000 of contents fall outside it. Whether you have other cover for them depends on whether you bought separate home insurance. The numbers are made up to show where the line sits, and your own flat will differ.
The same line matters if you buy resale. A flat that the previous owner renovated may be priced partly on that renovation, yet the renovation sits outside HDB's cover, as HDB's wording shows. Our resale buying process page sets out the steps, and it is a good moment to decide what extra cover, if any, you want.
Premium, sum insured and insurer
HDB says the current appointed insurer is Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. and the policy is valid for 5 years. For the period from 16 August 2024 to 15 August 2029, HDB lists these 5 year premiums including 9% GST:
| Flat type | 5 year premium | Sum insured |
|---|---|---|
| 1 room or Community Care Apartment | $1.11 | $37,900 |
| 2 room, 2 room Flexi or Studio Apartment | $1.99 | $57,000 |
| 3 room | $3.27 | $83,300 |
| 4 room or S1 | $4.59 | $117,000 |
| 5 room, S2 or 3 Generation | $5.43 | $144,800 |
| Executive or Multi Generation | $6.68 | $176,700 |
The premium rises with flat type, and so does the sum insured, which is the maximum figure HDB lists for each flat type. A claim is limited by the policy terms, so the wording of the policy, which HDB links from its page, is the document to read.
These are small amounts. On the 4 room premium, $4.59 over 5 years works out to about 92 cents a year, which is my arithmetic from HDB's figure. The previous policy period, 16 August 2019 to 15 August 2024, was with FWD, according to HDB, which is a reminder that the insurer and premiums can change at each cycle. Check the page again if your renewal date is near.
How to buy or renew. HDB says flat buyers and owners can purchase or renew with Etiqa through Etiqa's website, any AXS kiosk or the AXS mobile app, or Etiqa's customer service centre, which is by appointment only. For enquiries, HDB gives Etiqa's WhatsApp and phone number as +65 6887 8777.
Source: HDB, Fire Insurance (premium table valid 16 August 2024 to 15 August 2029), https://www.hdb.gov.sg/managing-my-home/home-ownership/fire-insurance, checked 26 October 2026.
Fire insurance, the Home Protection Scheme and home insurance
CPF Board describes three different things that owners mix up.
| Insurance | What it protects against | Who runs it |
|---|---|---|
| HDB Fire Insurance | Cost of reinstating damaged structures, fixtures and HDB provided areas after a fire | HDB |
| Home Protection Scheme | Losing the flat because mortgage payments cannot be made after death, terminal illness or total permanent disability | CPF Board |
| Home insurance | Contents and belongings, and other perils such as burglary, depending on the policy | Private insurers |
CPF Board says the Home Protection Scheme is mortgage reducing insurance that insures members until they turn 65 or until the housing loan is paid up. It is required if you pay your monthly housing instalments with CPF savings, and CPF strongly encourages it if you pay in cash. It is subject to approval and good health. It does not replace fire cover and fire cover does not replace it. For a wider look at policies tied to a mortgage, see the mortgage insurance guide.
Source: CPF Board, What is the difference between Home Protection Scheme, HDB Fire Insurance and Home Insurance?, https://www.cpf.gov.sg/service/article/what-is-the-difference-between-home-protection-scheme-hdb-fire-insurance-and-home-insurance, checked 26 October 2026.
Source: CPF Board, Protecting against losing your home, https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/home-ownership/protecting-against-losing-your-home, checked 26 October 2026.
A short checklist
- Confirm on the HDB page whether your loan makes the policy compulsory.
- Diarise the 5 year renewal date, and check validity through the Check Flat Details service afterwards.
- Decide, for yourself, whether renovation and contents need separate cover.
- If you rent out the flat, read the landlord insurance guide, since cover for rental risks is a separate question.
- Read the policy documents. This page summarises HDB's description, and the policy wording is what decides a claim.
Selling, refinancing or paying off the HDB loan changes your position. Check HDB's current page when your situation changes, as the compulsory rule is tied to an outstanding HDB loan. Our fire insurance glossary entry is the short version of this page.
Frequently asked questions
Is HDB fire insurance compulsory?
HDB says flat owners with HDB loans commencing on or after 1 September 1994 must buy and renew HDB fire insurance every 5 years as long as they have an outstanding HDB loan. HDB describes home insurance, by contrast, as optional.
What does HDB fire insurance cover?
It covers the cost of reinstating damaged internal structures, fixtures and areas built and provided by HDB. HDB says it does not cover home contents such as furniture, renovations and personal belongings.
How much is HDB fire insurance and who is the insurer?
For 16 August 2024 to 15 August 2029, HDB lists the appointed insurer as Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. and 5 year premiums including 9% GST of $1.11 for a 1 room flat up to $6.68 for an Executive or Multi Generation flat. A 4 room flat is $4.59 with a $117,000 sum insured.
Is HDB fire insurance the same as the Home Protection Scheme?
No. HDB fire insurance relates to damage to the flat's structures and HDB provided fixtures. The Home Protection Scheme, run by CPF Board, relates to the housing loan if you die, become terminally ill or become totally and permanently disabled. CPF says it is required if you pay instalments with CPF savings.
Not sure what your HDB cover leaves out?
Tell Winfred about your flat and loan, and he will go through what HDB says is and is not covered so you know which questions to put to an insurer. General information only, not insurance advice.
Ask Winfred on WhatsApp Book a free 30 minute callWinfred Quek, CEA R073319H, Crestbrick Pte Ltd (L3010886H). General information as at 26 October 2026, not legal, financial, insurance or property advice. Figures are from HDB and CPF Board pages and may change at each policy cycle. The example uses assumed figures. This page makes no price forecast.