Virtually all eligible Singapore residents would have at least their first Covid-19 vaccine dose by August, according to the Ministry of Health. With more people getting vaccinated, chances are, the one question you’ll be hearing more often now is: “What to do if got side effects ah?”

You’ll get medical advice from the experts at the vaccination centres or on the MOH website. But if you want to go that extra mile for a peace of mind, you’ll be happy to know that there are now insurance policies that cover hospitalisation due to Covid-19 vaccination side effects. But not all policies were made equal, though most in this list are free.

Herewith, a comparison of insurance coverage for Covid-19 vaccination side effects in Singapore:

AIA Covid-19 Vaccine Cover
Benefits: Daily hospital cash payouts of $500 per day for up to 2 days if you’re hospitalised due to Covid-19 vaccine complications (minimum 24-hour hospital stay). Lump sum of $500 cash for hospitalisation if you get Covid-19.
Who’s eligible: Singapore residents aged two weeks to 65 years old who apply by June 30, 2021. You don’t have to be an existing AIA policyholder to apply.
Free? Yes, but only 200,000 policies available.
The fine print: The coverage starts from the date of application and ends Dec 31, 2021.
More info here.

AVIVA health insurance plans
Benefits: Coverage for medical bills including hospitalisation or in-patient treatment arising from Covid-19 vaccinations.
Who’s eligible: Existing Aviva customers with health insurance plans, including the Integrated Shield, MyShield and group health insurance plans.
Free? Yes.
The fine print: Policyholders with eligible plans do not have to apply for Covid-19 vaccination side effects coverage as it’s automatically included in their plans.
More info here.

AXA Integrated Shield Plan
Benefits: Reimbursement of daily ward and treatment charges as charged by the hospital (subject to conditions) if hospitalised due to side effects arising from Covid-19 vaccinations.
Who’s eligible: Existing AXA Integrated Shield Plan policyholders.
Free? Yes.
The fine print: Coverage is valid two months from the date of Covid-19 vaccination, until Dec 31, 2021. No need for application as the Covid-19 cover is automatically extended in existing customers’ policies.
More info here.

DBS Covid-19 Vaccine Protect
Benefits: For hospitalisation due to post-vaccination side effects, $100 payout per day for up to 14 days; $1,000 lump sum if warded in ICU, and lump sum of $10,000 in the event of death. The policy also includes Covid-19 cover — should you get Covid-19 and are hospitalised, you receive $100 per day for up to 14 days; ICU hospital cash benefit of $1,000 (lump sum); while the Covid-19 bereavement assist benefit in the event of death is a lump sum of $10,000. Underwritten by Chubb Insurance, DBS’ Covid-19 Vaccine Protect policy also comes with a two-year DBS Parkway Programme that includes two complimentary teleconsultation sessions.
Who’s eligible: DBS/POSB customers and their immediate family members. They must be Singapore Residents who have not travelled overseas in the last 14 days and do not have fever, flu-like respiratory symptoms. You can apply even if you have other insurers’ policies that cover Covid-19 or Covid-19 vaccination side effects.
Free? Yes.
The fine print: The coverage starts on the date of application and automatically expires after 30 days, but you have to apply by June 30, 2021. The policy ceases either on Dec 31, 2021 or 14 days after your second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
More info here.

Etiqa Financial Assistance Benefit for side effects of COVID-19 Vaccine
Benefits: In the event of hospitalisation due to reactions to Covid-19 vaccinations, you will receive daily hospital cash benefits of $100 for up to 10 days, ICU benefit of $200 for up to five days.
Who’s eligible: Existing Etiqa policyholders and new and existing Maybank Singapore customers, aged between seven and 70 years old on the date of the first vaccination.
Free? Yes, for those eligible.
The fine print: The coverage will be valid for three months from the first dose of the vaccine.
More info here.

FWD Covid-19 Plan
Benefits: One-time lump sum payout of $5,000 in the event of hospitalisation in either the intensive care unit or high dependency ward for at least 12 hours due to Covid-19 vaccination side effects within 30 days of the vaccination. It also includes a $50,000 cover in the event of death due to Covid-19, or $100,000 if you’re a critical frontliner working in health and social/food/transportation/storage services.
Who’s eligible: Singapore residents aged 18 to 65 who sign up before June 30, 2021.
Free? No. It’s $28 for 100 days of cover, starting from the date of purchase. Valid until Dec 31, 2021.
More info here.

Great Eastern’s Great Vaccine Fund
Benefits: Daily hospital cash benefit of $300 per day for up to seven days for hospitalisation due to Covid-19 vaccination effects. Coverage is valid for three months from the day of your first vaccine dose.
Who’s eligible: Great Eastern customers and their immediate family members who are Singapore residents.
Free? Yes, for existing customers who have the selected Great Eastern policies (see the list here.)
The fine print: The policy is valid until Dec 31, 2021 or until an aggregate total of $1mil of the Great Vaccine Fund has been incurred.
More info here.

Manulife insurance plans
Benefits: Manulife medical insurance products now automatically cover side effects arising from the Covid-19 vaccination at no additional premium. Life insurance product claims that arise from side effects of Covid-19 vaccinations are also covered.
Who’s eligible: Existing Manulife customers with health and life insurance plans.
Free? Yes, for policyholders with eligible plans.
The fine print: No need to apply for Covid-19 vaccination side effects coverage as it’s automatically included in their plans.
More info here.

Prudential’s PRUSafe COVIDCover
Benefits: $100 per day, up to 14 days, for hospitalisation directly due to the side effects of the Covid-19 vaccination, within seven days of each vaccine dose.
Who’s eligible: Singapore residents aged 18 and above. Limited to the first 100,000 sign-ups or up to Jul 31, 2021, whichever happens first.
Free? Yes, but you have to sign up via Prudential’s Pulse app, available on the Apple App Store or Android Play Store. You do not need to be an existing Prudential customer to sign up.
The fine print: Policy coverage is valid until Jan 31, 2022.
More info here.

Raffles Health Insurance’s Raffles COVID Safe Cover
Benefits: Up to $5,000 hospitalisation coverage in Raffles Hospital if you’re hospitalised due to Covid-19 vaccine complications that arise within seven days of each vaccination dosage.
Who’s eligible: All Singapore residents aged between 19 and 65 (age next birthday). You don’t have to be an existing Raffles Health Insurance customer to sign up.
Free? Yes. Sign up via the Raffles Connect app any time before taking the Covid-19 vaccination.
The fine print: Coverage starts automatically when you receive your Covid-19 vaccine, and is automatically terminated after seven days after the latest Covid-19 vaccine dosage.
More info here.

Photo: Pexels/Gustavo Fring