Haze in Singapore: what insurance can you claim?

Haze can do more than just affect your health. It can interrupt travel plans, day-to-day activities or events and, in extremely severe conditions, may even cause accidents due to poor visibility.

Such incidents may incur financial costs. But which of these expenses could insurance actually cover? Here are four situations worth knowing about:

1. You fall ill and need medical treatment

Haze can aggravate existing heart and lung conditions, including asthma, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans can help pay for medical bills if you are hospitalised, but neither are likely to cover the cost of GP consultations.

Instead, if you develop respiratory symptoms and visit a GP only, your employer's medical benefits are the more likely source to cover the consultation and medication. Otherwise, you may want to check with your insurer if they have tie-ups with specific clinics offering lower-cost GP consultation fees.

There is also government assistance available. From 12 October 2026, eligible Singapore Citizens can receive subsidised treatment for specified haze-related conditions under MOH's Haze Subsidy Scheme.

At participating clinics and polyclinics:

• Eligible patients pay no more than S$10:
• Pioneer and Merdeka Generation seniors pay no more than S$5.
• Public Assistance cardholders receive fully subsidised treatment.
• Eligibility rules apply.

If you are hospitalised, you may also want to check with your insurer if you have a hospital cash benefit under a separate policy or rider. This could provide a fixed daily payout if you are hospitalised, subject to the minimum stay and other requirements.

2. You fall ill while working outdoors

Suppose you spend several hours working outdoors as a delivery worker, construction worker or security officer. Prolonged exposure to haze may cause you to develop a respiratory illness requiring medical treatment.

Under Singapore's Work Injury Compensation Act, you may qualify for compensation. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) specifically addresses this situation. Compensation may include (depending on eligibility):

• Medical expenses for the work-related illness.
• Medical leave wages during the period of recovery.
• Compensation for permanent incapacity, if applicable.

However, simply falling ill on a hazy day does not automatically make your illness work-related. The circumstances must support a connection between your work and the condition.

If you suspect your illness is work-related, inform your employer and explain your working conditions to your doctor.

MOM requires employers to report applicable cases where employees suffer an illness or injury because of outdoor work during the haze.

3. Your holiday is disrupted by haze

Travel insurance may help in two situations.

• Your flight is delayed or cancelled. If haze reduces visibility and disrupts flights, some policies may provide compensation for qualifying travel delays, cancellations or additional expenses.
• You become too ill to travel. If the haze aggravates a respiratory condition and a doctor certifies you are medically unfit to travel, certain policies may cover non-refundable bookings.

Neither situation guarantees a payout. Coverage depends on your policy's definitions, exclusions and requirements. Travel disruptions already known when you purchase insurance may be excluded, while pre-existing medical conditions can affect illness-related cancellation claims.

There is also a difference between being unable to travel and simply choosing not to.

If your flight is operating but you cancel because you are concerned about poor air quality at your destination, ordinary travel insurance generally will not reimburse your expenses.

4. You have an accident because of poor visibility

Poor visibility during severe haze could contribute to road accidents.

If your car is damaged, comprehensive motor insurance may cover repairs, subject to the policy's terms. Third-party-only insurance does not cover accidental damage to your own vehicle.

If you are injured in a road accident, or while cycling or walking, personal accident insurance may provide benefits for eligible bodily injuries.

However, personal accident insurance generally covers accidental injuries, not illnesses.

An asthma attack caused by breathing polluted air would not ordinarily qualify under accidental injury benefits, even if medical treatment is required.

What expenses are unlikely to be covered?

A high PSI reading alone does not trigger an insurance payout. Even with several insurance policies, there are costs you may have to bear yourself.

For instance, you should not generally expect to claim for:

• Air purifiers, masks or other protective equipment purchased to reduce exposure to haze.
• Ordinary respiratory symptoms under personal accident insurance, unless your specific policy provides relevant illness benefits.
• Cancelled personal plans, such as deciding to skip an outdoor activity because air quality is poor, without a qualifying insured event.
• Lost earnings simply because you decide to stay home, unless you meet the requirements of an applicable income protection or work injury compensation benefit.

What should you do if you think you have a claim?

Do not wait until the haze has cleared to gather evidence. Different insurers have different reporting deadlines and documentary requirements.

It is also worth reviewing your employer's group insurance alongside your personal policies. You may already have protection you are unaware of.

Understanding your coverage before you need it can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and identify gaps in your financial protection. If you are unsure about what your policies cover, speak to a financial representative.

Written by: Great Eastern Lifepedia team

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