Best Critical Illness & Cancer Insurance in Singapore 2024

Our analysts conducted a thorough premium and benefit analysis of dozens of critical illness insurance plans in Singapore, weighing each plan based on purchase eligibility, benefits offered and cost. If you are looking to protect yourself from unexpected medical bills, you can take a look at our top picks below. To make it easy, we separated the plans based on their type, the benefits offered and their cost.

  • Critical Illness Plans to Buy Online
  • FWD Big 3 Critical Illness: Standalone critical illness plan that provides coverage for cancer, stroke & heart attacks
  • HL Assurance Early Protect360: Standalone critical illness plan that provides up to S$300,000 of coverage for cancer, stroke & heart attacks
  • FWD Cancer Insurance: Best cancer plan you can buy directly online; maximum sum assured is S$200,000
  • MSIG CancerCare: Cheapest plan you can buy online if you're a millennial.
  • Great Eastern GREAT Family Care: Standalone Critical Illness plan that covers entire family; covers 53 critical illnesses and 25 juvenile conditions
  • Cheapest DPI Plan Add-ons
  • FWD Term Life DPI Critical Illness Rider: Premiums cost 50% below average for S$300,00 to S$400,000 of critical illness coverage
  • DIRECT – Singlife Critical lllness (Term Life / Whole Life): Competitively priced for younger consumers in the market for 5-year and 20-year DPI plans and older consumers looking for up-to-age-65 plans
  • Etiqa Whole Life DPI Critical Illness Rider: Competitively priced for consumers looking to add critical illness add-on to Whole Life DPI policies

Is critical illness insurance necessary?

While critical illness isn't mandatory, it could be a necessary contingency plan to avoid paying thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs if you get diagnosed with a severe illness. If you are looking to purchase a CI plan, our guide will walk you through the best critical illness insurance plans that are currently on the market based on budget and coverage.

Reach out to our experts here for other insurance plans:

Critical Insurance Plans You Can Purchase Online

FWD, MSIG, HL Assurance and Great Eastern let you buy critical illness protection online without having to go through the traditional routes. FWD and MSIG also offer cancer coverage products and Great Eastern offers a family-focused multi-generational critical illness plan in Singapore.

FWD Big 3 Critical Illness Insurance

While some critical illness plans on the market focus on one illness to cover, such as cancer, there are plans that cover a multitude of illnesses. These plans can be a good option for people who want more robust coverage that covers all the bases of their health concerns.

Promotion:
A critical illness plan that covers the most common critical illnesses.
Amount InsuredAge 25Age 35Age 45Age 55
S$50,000S$110.47S$135.85S$190.39S$497.25
S$100,000S$150.67S$179.08S$273.39S$760.5
S$200,000S$200.85S$247.00S$390.52S$1,170.00
Annual premiums are for non-smoking males and are subject to change. Accurate as of 03/2022. Premiums shown are 1st year premiums with 35% discount applied

FWD's Big 3 Critical Illness Insurance can be a suitable peace of mind critical illness plan for people who want coverage for the 3 major illnesses affecting Singaporeans: Cancer, heart attacks and stroke. With 90% of critical illness claims arising from these 3 conditions, FWD's Big 3 plan provides no-frills coverage for the most likely health events. We found that FWD's premiums average to 50% less than other standalone critical illness plans on the market. For an additional fee, you can also choose a heart condition and neurological disorder add-on that provides coverage for a variety of illnesses and necessary procedures including heart disease, bacterial meningitis, pacemaker insertion and primary lateral sclerosis.

Big 3 will provide a one-time full payout for detection of any stage of cancer or in the event of a heart attack of a specified severity and stroke that results in a permanent neurological deficit. FWD also provides a market beating S$20,000 death benefit if you die while the policy is in force. Another useful feature is that because this is a standalone policy and not a policy attached to a life insurance product, you can choose to renew your plan annually. You can renew your policy up until you turn 85 and you only have to answer one health declaration to purchase the policy without any medical examination required.

Promotion:
A critical illness plan that covers the most common critical illnesses.
Amount InsuredAge 25Age 35Age 45Age 55
S$50,000S$127.46S$156.75S$219.68S$573.75
S$100,000S$173.85S$206.62S$315.45S$877.50
S$200,000S$231.75S$285.00S$450.60S$1,350.00
Annual premiums are for non-smoking males and are subject to change. Accurate as of 03/2022. Premiums shown are 1st year premiums with 25% discount applied

FWD's Big 3 Critical Illness Insurance can be a suitable peace of mind critical illness plan for people who want coverage for the 3 major illnesses affecting Singaporeans: Cancer, heart attacks and stroke. With 90% of critical illness claims arising from these 3 conditions, FWD's Big 3 plan provides no-frills coverage for the most likely health events. We found that FWD's premiums average to 50% less than other standalone critical illness plans on the market. For an additional fee, you can also choose a heart condition and neurological disorder add-on that provides coverage for a variety of illnesses and necessary procedures including heart disease, bacterial meningitis, pacemaker insertion and primary lateral sclerosis.

Big 3 will provide a one-time full payout for detection of any stage of cancer or in the event of a heart attack of a specified severity and stroke that results in a permanent neurological deficit. FWD also provides a market beating S$20,000 death benefit if you die while the policy is in force. Another useful feature is that because this is a standalone policy and not a policy attached to a life insurance product, you can choose to renew your plan annually. You can renew your policy up until you turn 85 and you only have to answer one health declaration to purchase the policy without any medical examination required.

HL Assurance Early Protect360

HL Assurance provides coverage for the 3 main illnesses that afflict Singaporeans: heart attacks, stroke and cancer. You can buy their plans online without needing to undergo a health check or having a discussion with a financial advisor.

Get up to S$200 cashback voucher and 10% discount with a free teleconsultation
A critical illness plan with high levels of coverage against stroke, critical illness and cancer.
Amount InsuredAge 25Age 35Age 45Age 55
S$50,000S$147.50S$205.78S$405.16S$898.47
S$100,000S$188.28S$304.83S$703.58S$1,690.22
S$200,000S$269.82S$502.92S$1,300.43S$3,273.70
S$300,000S$351.36S$701.02S$1,897.28S$4,857.18
Annual premiums are for non-smoking males and are subject to change. Accurate as of 03/2022.

HL Assurance's Early Protect360 is a standalone critical illness plan that you can buy online without going through the hassle of getting a medical checkup or having to speak to a representative. It offers up to S$300,000 worth of coverage for cancer, heart attack (of a specified severity) and stroke. It will provide a 30% accelerator payout for early diagnosis of these conditions (for instance, if you need to get a pacemaker installed or there is early detection of cancer) and a full payout if you are diagnosed at the severe illness stage. This is a 5-year renewable plan, which will renew until you turn 75. You can pay monthly, yearly or in a lump sum (for the full 5 years).

Generally, premiums for this plan range between 8%-197% more than compared to its closest competitor, FWD's Big 3 CI plans, for the same sum assured. However, HL Assurance offers critical illness coverage of up to S$300,000, compared to FWD's maximum payout of S$200,000. Furthermore, HL Assurance provides early diagnosis coverage for all 3 conditions, while FWD provides coverage for cancer only. These are important differences to consider when making a decision between which tailored critical illness plan you want to pursue. Lastly, we found that premiums for women cost between 25%-80% more than for men until you look at premiums for ages 55+ where they even out.

Get up to S$200 cashback voucher and 10% discount with a free teleconsultation
A critical illness plan with high levels of coverage against stroke, critical illness and cancer.
Amount InsuredAge 25Age 35Age 45Age 55
S$50,000S$147.50S$205.78S$405.16S$898.47
S$100,000S$188.28S$304.83S$703.58S$1,690.22
S$200,000S$269.82S$502.92S$1,300.43S$3,273.70
S$300,000S$351.36S$701.02S$1,897.28S$4,857.18
Annual premiums are for non-smoking males and are subject to change. Accurate as of 03/2022.

HL Assurance's Early Protect360 is a standalone critical illness plan that you can buy online without going through the hassle of getting a medical checkup or having to speak to a representative. It offers up to S$300,000 worth of coverage for cancer, heart attack (of a specified severity) and stroke. It will provide a 30% accelerator payout for early diagnosis of these conditions (for instance, if you need to get a pacemaker installed or there is early detection of cancer) and a full payout if you are diagnosed at the severe illness stage. This is a 5-year renewable plan, which will renew until you turn 75. You can pay monthly, yearly or in a lump sum (for the full 5 years).

Generally, premiums for this plan range between 8%-197% more than compared to its closest competitor, FWD's Big 3 CI plans, for the same sum assured. However, HL Assurance offers critical illness coverage of up to S$300,000, compared to FWD's maximum payout of S$200,000. Furthermore, HL Assurance provides early diagnosis coverage for all 3 conditions, while FWD provides coverage for cancer only. These are important differences to consider when making a decision between which tailored critical illness plan you want to pursue. Lastly, we found that premiums for women cost between 25%-80% more than for men until you look at premiums for ages 55+ where they even out.

FWD & MSIG Cancer Insurance Plans

A cancer-only critical illness plan can be a suitable option for individuals who put more weight on protecting themselves against cancer as opposed to other illnesses. FWD and MSIG offer competitively-priced cancer insurance plans that provide substantial payouts if you get diagnosed with cancer in Singapore.

Promotion:
A critical illness plan with comprehensive cancer coverage.
Amount Insured (Cancer)Age 25Age 35Age 45Age 55
S$50,000S$98S$118S$208S$488
S$100,000S$148S$178S$358S$838
S$200,000S$248S$288S$588S$1,348
Annual premiums are for non-smoking males and are subject to change. Accurate as of 03/2022

FWD's Cancer Insurance offers above-average coverage for an affordable price, making it a high value cancer-only critical illness option. First, its maximum cancer coverage amount of S$200,000 is above average compared to other cancer-only plans on the market. Furthermore, there is also a fixed S$5,000 death coverage.

Furthermore, you can purchase this plan online and receive the full 100% sum assured for any stage of cancer, which are both unique features. In terms of miscellaneous benefits, you will also receive complimentary medical advice from a second doctor, can file a claim online and purchase the policy without getting a medical examination.

Promotion:
A critical illness plan with comprehensive cancer coverage.
Amount Insured (Cancer)Age 25Age 35Age 45Age 55
S$50,000S$98S$118S$208S$488
S$100,000S$148S$178S$358S$838
S$200,000S$248S$288S$588S$1,348
Annual premiums are for non-smoking males and are subject to change. Accurate as of 01/2021

FWD's Cancer Insurance offers above-average coverage for an affordable price, making it a high value cancer-only critical illness option. First, its maximum cancer coverage amount of S$200,000 is above average compared to other cancer-only plans on the market. Furthermore, there is also a fixed S$5,000 death coverage.

Furthermore, you can purchase this plan online and receive the full 100% sum assured for any stage of cancer, which are both unique features. In terms of miscellaneous benefits, you will also receive complimentary medical advice from a second doctor, can file a claim online and purchase the policy without getting a medical examination.

A critical illness plan for younger customers looking for affordable cancer insurance coverage.
Amount Insured (Cancer)Age 25Age 35Age 45Age 55
S$100,000S$54.00S$95.04S$328.32S$907.20
Annual premiums include promotions and are for non-smoking males and are subject to change. Accurate as of 01/2023.

MSIG's CancerCare Plus is a critical illness insurance plan that provides S$100,000 of cancer insurance coverage and an accelerated benefit of $50,000 for early stage cancer. This means that upon early-stage diagnosis, you'll get 50% of the sum assured and upon a major cancer diagnosis, you'll get the other 50%. It is most affordable for millennial customers, with premiums that range between 47-64% less than MSIG's competitors. It is easily accessible, since you can buy this plan online and with just 3 simple health declarations. You can purchase this plan if you're between the ages of 20 and 64, but it's automatically renewable until you turn 84.

While CancerCare Plus is affordable for most age groups, it does cost above average for older consumers (ages 50-64). Furthermore, the level of coverage may be underwhelming for people who are looking for high levels of coverage across all stages of cancer. Thus, this plan is best suited as a contingency plan for young, healthy individuals.

A critical illness plan for younger customers looking for affordable cancer insurance coverage.
Amount Insured (Cancer)Age 25Age 35Age 45Age 55
S$100,000S$54.00S$95.04S$328.32S$907.20
Annual premiums include promotions and are for non-smoking males and are subject to change. Accurate as of 01/2023.

MSIG's CancerCare Plus is a critical illness insurance plan that provides S$100,000 of cancer insurance coverage and an accelerated benefit of $50,000 for early stage cancer. This means that upon early-stage diagnosis, you'll get 50% of the sum assured and upon a major cancer diagnosis, you'll get the other 50%. It is most affordable for millennial customers, with premiums that range between 47-64% less than MSIG's competitors. It is easily accessible, since you can buy this plan online and with just 3 simple health declarations. You can purchase this plan if you're between the ages of 20 and 64, but it's automatically renewable until you turn 84.

While CancerCare Plus is affordable for most age groups, it does cost above average for older consumers (ages 50-64). Furthermore, the level of coverage may be underwhelming for people who are looking for high levels of coverage across all stages of cancer. Thus, this plan is best suited as a contingency plan for young, healthy individuals.

Great Eastern GREAT Family Care: Multi-Generational Critical Illness Insurance

This plan covers 53 critical illnesses; 25 juvenile conditions; death, terminal illness and total and permanent disability.
Amount InsuredAge 25Age 35Age 45Age 55
S$50,000S$502S$862S$1,278S$1,535
S$100,000S$727S$1,299S$2,038S$2,539
S$200,000S$1,352S$2,494S$3,971S$4,974
Premiums are for non-smoking males including the Parent Protect rider and are subject to change. Accurate as of 01/2021

Great Eastern's GREAT Family Care is a unique standalone critical illness plan that provides protection for the whole family in Singapore. You will receive coverage against 53 critical illnesses, death, total and permanent disability and Terminal Illness until age 85. Your children will also receive the same coverage, including 25 additional juvenile conditions, for free until they turn 18. Furthermore, you can add a rider that will provide coverage for your parents with no need for a medical assessment. They will receive coverage until they turn 100 against major cancers, Alzheimer's disease/Severe Dementia and Parkinson's. The maximum payout is 25% of your sum assured for your children (maximum S$50,000 per child) and 15% of the sum assured or S$15,000 (whichever is greater) for your parents.

Covers 53 critical illnesses; 25 juvenile conditions; death, terminal illness and total and permanent disability.
Amount InsuredAge 25Age 35Age 45Age 55
S$50,000S$502S$862S$1,278S$1,535
S$100,000S$727S$1,299S$2,038S$2,539
S$200,000S$1,352S$2,494S$3,971S$4,974
Premiums are for non-smoking males including the Parent Protect rider and are subject to change. Accurate as of 01/2021

Great Eastern's GREAT Family Care is a unique standalone critical illness plan that provides protection for the whole family in Singapore. You will receive coverage against 53 critical illnesses, death, total and permanent disability and Terminal Illness until age 85. Your children will also receive the same coverage, including 25 additional juvenile conditions, for free until they turn 18. Furthermore, you can add a rider that will provide coverage for your parents with no need for a medical assessment. They will receive coverage until they turn 100 against major cancers, Alzheimer's disease/Severe Dementia and Parkinson's. The maximum payout is 25% of your sum assured for your children (maximum S$50,000 per child) and 15% of the sum assured or S$15,000 (whichever is greater) for your parents.

Etiqa 3 Plus Critical Illness Plan

This plan covers exclusively for cancer (all stages), heart attack and stroke
Premiums & CoverageS$30,000 PlanS$100,000 PlanS$200,000 PlanS$300,000 Plan
25 Year-Old Male (Non-smoker)S$66.69S$153.30S$306.60S$459.90
25 Year-Old Male (Smoker)S$94.39S$217.00S$434.00S$651.00
35 Year-Old Male (Non-smoker)S$77.95S$179.20S$358.40S$537.60
35 Year-Old Male (Smoker)S$112.06S$257.60S$515.20S$772.80
45 Year-Old Male (Non-smoker)S$124.24S$285.60S$571.20S$856.80
45 Year-Old Male (Smoker)S$232.64S$534.80S$1,069.60S$1,640.40
55 Year-Old Male (Non-smoker)S$359.92S$827.40S$1,654.80S$2,482.20
55 Year-Old Male (Smoker)S$664.42S$1,527.40S$3,054.80S$4,582.20
Death Benefit
S$20,000
Stroke, Heart attack or Cancer Payout
100% of sum insured cash payout upon diagnosis of Cancer (all stages), Stroke with Permanent Neurological Deficit, or Heart Attack of Specified Severity + Special Conditions Coverage (one time only)
Note: Premiums shown are 1st year annual premiums with on-going promotions applied. For more up-to-date personalized quotes, please refer here

Etiqa 3 Plus Critical Illness Insurance is a critical illness plan that covers 3 major critical illnesses: cancer (all stages), heart attacks and strokes. Given that it only covers these 3 critical illness, its premiums are 50-66% cheaper than average compared to other standalone CI plans for most age groups. Their unique selling point of Etiqa 3 Plus Critical Illness Plan lies in two areas: Complimentary Child cover and Special Conditions Benefit.

The Complimentary Child Cover provides a death benefit of S$20,000 each for up to 4 children, between 14 days to 16 years old, of the insured. In addition, the Special Conditions Benefit provides the insured with an additional 20% sum payout against Diabetic Complications and Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (SRA), capped at S$25,000 per special condition.

This plan covers exclusively for cancer, heart attack and stroke
Premiums & CoverageS$30,000 PlanS$100,000 PlanS$200,000 PlanS$300,000 Plan
25 Year-Old Male (Non-smoker)S$66.69S$153.30S$306.60S$459.90
25 Year-Old Male (Smoker)S$94.39S$217.00S$434.00S$651.00
35 Year-Old Male (Non-smoker)S$77.95S$179.20S$358.40S$537.60
35 Year-Old Male (Smoker)S$112.06S$257.60S$515.20S$772.80
45 Year-Old Male (Non-smoker)S$124.24S$285.60S$571.20S$856.80
45 Year-Old Male (Smoker)S$232.64S$534.80S$1,069.60S$1,640.40
55 Year-Old Male (Non-smoker)S$359.92S$827.40S$1,654.80S$2,482.20
55 Year-Old Male (Smoker)S$664.42S$1,527.40S$3,054.80S$4,582.20
Death Benefit
S$20,000
Stroke, Heart attack or Cancer Payout
100% of sum insured cash payout upon diagnosis of Cancer (all stages), Stroke with Permanent Neurological Deficit, or Heart Attack of Specified Severity + Special Conditions Coverage (one time only)
Note: Premiums shown are 1st year annual premiums with on-going promotions applied. For more up-to-date personalized quotes, please refer here

Etiqa 3 Plus Critical Illness Insurance is a critical illness plan that covers 3 major critical illnesses: cancer, heart attacks and strokes. Given that it only covers these 3 critical illness, its premiums are 50-66% cheaper than average compared to other standalone CI plans for most age groups. Their unique selling point of Etiqa 3 Plus Critical Illness Plan lies in two areas: Complimentary Child cover and Special Conditions Benefit.

The Complimentary Child Cover provides a death benefit of S$20,000 each for up to 4 children, between 14 days to 16 years old, of the insured. In addition, the Special Conditions Benefit provides the insured with an additional 20% sum payout against Diabetic Complications and Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (SRA), capped at S$25,000 per special condition.

What Is Critical Illness Insurance?

Critical illness insurance is a type of health insurance that provides a lump-sum payout in the case you are diagnosed with a critical illness or undergo surgery that is covered by your plan. There are many types of critical illness insurance plans that can cover multiple illnesses at a time or focus on protection for one type of illness (like cancer).

What Does Critical Illness Insurance Cover?

Each provider has a different list of eligible critical illnesses, as well as optional riders to extend your range of coverage. Most critical illness plans cover "the big 3" illnesses: cancer, heart attack or stroke. In addition to these common critical illnesses, you can find coverage for the following, as well:

  • Cancer
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Coronary Artery By-pass Surgery
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Severe Dementia
  • Kidney Failure
  • Bacterial Meningitis
  • Major Burns
  • Loss of Speech
  • Blindness
  • Deafness
  • Viral Encephalitis
  • HIV Due To Blood Transfusion
  • Occupationally Acquired HIV
  • Lung Disease
  • Liver Failure
  • Major Depressive Disorders

Is It Worth Buying Critical Illness Insurance?

While critical illness isn't mandatory, it could be a necessary contingency plan to avoid paying thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs if you get diagnosed with a severe illness. This does not only apply to older people, as many young people get diagnosed with critical illnesses, especially early stage illnesses.

Additionally, the best critical illness insurance plan can help with more than medical costs accrued from an illness in Singapore. While a general health insurance plan may cover expenses from cancer treatment, it won't provide you with a lump-sum payout. In that sense, a CI plan acts as added financial protection for you and your family, especially in the case that you are unable to work due to your diagnosis.

How to Find the Best Critical Illness Plan

The best critical illness policy for you depends wholly on your individual needs. For instance, the add-on option that is offered with your life insurance policy may be enough if you want to be protected against major illnesses but may not require specific coverage. However, you should note that when it comes to DPI policies, your critical illness payout will reduce your total death & TPD benefit by that amount. In this case, you should make sure you have a sufficient amount of death coverage left over in the event you need to make a critical illness claim in Singapore.

Alternatively, you can also opt for gender or disease specific plans if you are worried about a particular illness. These plans are usually labeled as female, male or cancer illness plans and can be a good option if you have a higher risk of these diseases. On the other hand, multi-pay policies may be a good option for those looking to spend a little more but get the ability to claim multiple times throughout their policy. This is an especially helpful benefit for those who want long-term cancer insurance protection since the risk of getting other cancers or other diseases caused by cancer treatment (e.g. heart problems after chemotherapy or radiation treatment) increases after developing cancer.

Lastly, early-stage critical illness plans may benefit consumers who prioritise prevention. These plans cover all stages of critical illnesses, in contrast to the average CI plan that only covers late stage illnesses. These critical illness insurance plans are one of the best options for individuals who are cash-strapped since early treatment is generally more affordable than late-stage treatment.

Disclaimer

Regardless of the policy you are thinking of getting, analysing all of your life insurance options and speaking to a licensed financial advisor is key to making sure you are getting the right plan. We do not claim to endorse, promote or recommend any product on this page. All products listed here are examples of different types of critical illness insurance and their benefits and are meant for educational purposes only.

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