Frequently Asked Questions

Becoming an Agent

The Insurance Act regulates the distribution of insurance. Section 1A of the Act sets out the interpretation of insurance agent.

If you perform any of these activities, you are likely to be considered to be acting as an insurance agent:

i. receiving proposals for, or issuing, policies in Singapore;
ii. collecting or receiving premiums on policies in Singapore; or
iii. arranging contracts of insurance in Singapore; or
iv. earning a commission or fee that is tied to the value of the premium transacted; or
v. providing insurance sales or product advice.

Before acting as an insurance agent for distributing general insurance products, the person or company must register with the Agents' Registration Board (ARB) through the principal insurers that they wish to represent.

Prospective applicants should discuss your business plans with the insurers that you wish to work with and form your opinion on whether you are likely to be acting as an insurance agent. You should seek your own legal advice if you are not clear.

Persons who act as unregistered insurance agents will be referred to the Monetary Authority of Singapore for action under the Insurance Act.

Types of Agents

• Individual Agent – a person
• Corporate Agent – a business entity i.e. sole proprietorship, partnership or company registered with ACRA, society/cooperative society registered with Registrar of Societies.
• Trade Specific Agent (TSA) – a business entity that is engaged in a business where insurance is not its core business. It can act for its principal insurers to sell specific insurance products relating to its core business only.
• Nominee Agents – a person who acts for the above types of agents. Corporate agents and TSAs must have at least 1 nominee agent at all times.

Applicants are advised to read and understand the rules and regulations before registration. Registered agents will have to abide by the rules at all times. Please refer to the relevant information as follows (click on the link):

• The General Insurance Agents' Registration Regulations
• The Insurance Act
• MAS Notice 211

Applicants or agents who have any questions on the requirements or regulations for agents may discuss with their principal insurers.

Registration Fees

License of the registered agents are valid for the calendar year. All registered agents (except for Trade Specific Agents other than Motor Trades) are to fulfil their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements to be qualified for renewal of their license. Agents may refer to this link on CPD requirements.

Applicants applying to be an agent are subjected to a registration fee per Principal representation. The fee shall be paid to the Principal directly. This will also apply to all additional nominees.

Renewal fee per Principal representation will be imposed on all agents (including nominee agents) who have met the requirements upon renewal of license at the end of the year. You may refer to the fees table at this link:

Registration Fees

Agents Search

The public can check if a general insurance agent is registered with ARB, and the insurers that the agent is authorized to represent, by using the agent search module at this link.

When performing a search for an individual agent or a nominee agent, you must have the NRIC/FIN/Passport number or the GIA nominee number.

When performing a search for a corporate agent or trade specific agent, you must have the GIA number, company name or the business registration number.

Registered agents may also use the above link to display their registration status to customers with their mobile devices.

Win up to S$5,000 in cash prizes!

The Singapore Insurance Case Competition (SICC) presents your opportunity to win big when you put your corporate acumen, creativity, and marketing ingenuity to the test!

Gather a multi-talented team of 4 to brainstorm and pitch THE proposal to compete for exciting cash prizes.

Proudly brought to you by the General Insurance Association of Singapore in collaboration with the NTU Actuarial Science Club, the SICC is a nationwide case competition open to university and polytechnic students of all disciplines in Singapore. This year, SICC is proudly sponsored by Chubb Insurance Singapore Limited and MSIG Insurance Singapore, two industry-leading general insurance companies.

Important Dates & Times:

Case Release – 17 Jan 2024, 9 am
Case Workshop – 17 Jan 2024, 2 pm
Case Submission – 23 Jan 2024, 11.59 pm
Final Presentation – 2 Feb 2024, 2 pm to 5.30 pm

Follow SICC on Instagram for more updates here!

Work Injury Compensation Insurance

Insurance that pays for medical care and physical rehabilitation of injured workers and helps to replace lost wages while they are unable to work.

Work injury compensation insurance is compulsory for all employees doing manual work, as well as non-manual employees earning less than $2,600 a month.

Please visit the Ministry of Manpower's website for more information.

What happens if an employer is refused work injury compensation (WIC) insurance quotes from at least 10 WIC designated insurers?

If an employer is refused WIC insurance quotes from at least 10 WIC designated insurers, the employer can seek help from GIA.

To do so, the employer will need to:

1.complete the checklist to provide information about the WIC designated insurers who have refused to quote WIC insurance

2.complete the Declaration form:
- Declaration Form for single entity
- Declaration Form for multiple entities

3.submit the completed Checklist supported with documentary evidence and the Standard Declaration Form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject “WICI submission by [insert employer’s name]”

Important Things to Note

Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) 2019 

The new WICA 2019 will take effect on 1 September 2020 and will offer the following benefits for both employers and employees:

- Influence companies to prevent injuries from happening in the first place
- Faster and simpler claims processes for everyone
- Enhanced protection for employees
- More certainty for employer

To prepare for WICA 2019, employers are reminded to:

- Obtain WIC insurance coverage for employees (unless they are exempted), throughout the employment period.
- Purchase or renew their WIC insurance coverage in a timely manner.
- Finalise all insurance contracts and provide the information required to your insurer at least 21 days before policy commencement. This should be done for all policies commencing 1 January 2021.

For more information and latest updates on WICA 2019, please visit the Ministry of Manpower's website.

(1) What if I have a dispute with my insurer? 

If you feel you have been treated unfairly by your insurer, you should lodge a complaint directly with the insurer, and provide the insurer with your details (name, contact numbers, etc.), the specific nature of your complaint and supporting documents.

The insurer should acknowledge your complaint within 7 business days, and if necessary, request additional information from you within 7 business days of the date of your complaint.

Depending on the nature of your complaint, the insurer may need more time to attend to it. If so, the insurer should contact you and update you on the progress within 15 business days of your last communication, before proceeding to resolve the problem.

If you have taken these steps and still feel the response is not satisfactory, or if there is no response within the timeframes stated above, you should then appeal to the Chief Executive of the insurer in writing. You can expect a response to this within 15 business days.

Finally, if you are still unsatisfied after going through these channels, you can contact the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC). You must do so within 6 months of your insurers' final reply to you. FIDReC is an independent institution, which aims to provide consumers with a one-stop avenue for resolving disputes in the banking, insurance and capital market sectors. FIDReC does so by offering mediation and adjudication services.

Filing a complaint is simple and free of charge. You may lodge your complaint online at www.fidrec.com.sg. If you have any queries or difficulties in lodging the complaint, you may submit an enquiry at www.fidrec.com.sg or contact FIDReC at 6327 8878 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Once your complaint is lodged, FIDReC's Case Manager will verify if the dispute falls within FIDReC's jurisdiction and will reach out to you should any further information be required.

 
FIDReC Contact Centre

36 Robinson Centre 
#15-01, City House 
Singapore 068877

Opening Hours:
Mondays to Fridays: 9am to 6pm 
(not including public holidays) 

(2) If I have a dispute with the third party insurer on the question of liability and quantum of settlement amount, who can help me to resolve the dispute?

You can approach FIDReC. In addition to handling insurance disputes involving claims between insureds and their insurers, FIDReC also handles motor third-party property damage claims of up to S$100,000.

For more information on the jurisdiction of FIDReC,  please visit www.fidrec.com.sg.

Property Insurance

Coverage protecting property against loss caused by a fire or lightning that is usually included in homeowners or commercial multiple peril policies.

Common Types of Home Insurance

Your home insurance needs can vary depending on the type of property. Here are 3 common types of home ownership:

What Does Fire Insurance for Residential Property Cover?

Most fire insurance for buildings cover against damages caused to an apartment/unit by:

• Fire
• Lightning
• Domestic Explosion
• Bursting or Overflowing of Water Tanks and Apparatus
• Road Vehicle Impact
• Aircraft Impact
• Malicious Intent
• Riot and Strike
• Earthquake, Windstorm and Flood

Contents of your property are usually not covered. You have to purchase a separate or additional policy for home contents.

What Does Home Contents Insurance Cover?

It covers the contents of your apartment/unit, including:

• Appliances
• Furniture
• Ornaments
• Computers
• Kitchenware
• Books
• Personal Effects
• Fixtures & Fittings which do not form part of the building

This policy is also applicable to tenants.