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Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. According to the Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2019, 16 people die from cancer every day in Singapore. From 2015 to 2019, 43 people were diagnosed with cancer everyday. For men in Singapore, colon-rectum cancer was the most common cancer, followed by prostate cancer, and lung cancer. For women, it’s breast cancer, followed by colorectal & rectum cancer, and lung cancer.

Being given the news that you or a loved one are diagnosed with cancer can exert a significant amount of emotional and financial strain on individuals. What is cancer? How does it affect us? In this article, we provide insight into cancer, and how we can reduce the risk of cancer by changing our lifestyle.

What causes cancer?

Cancer is caused by mutations in genes that control cell growth. These mutations occur naturally during life, but certain environmental factors can accelerate the process. Some of these factors include smoking, radiation exposure, viruses, chemicals, and obesity. Other risk factors include having a family history of cancer, genetics, and lifestyle choices like drinking alcohol and eating processed foods.

Deaths due to cancer are caused by complications of the disease itself, including metastasis (when cancer spreads), recurrence (when cancer returns after treatment), and side effects of treatment. Most deaths due to cancer happen within five years of diagnosis. Leading a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce the risk of cancer, we provide some tips here of how you can start:

How can we prevent cancer?

1. Avoid smoking

Smoking cigarettes is known to cause many different kinds of cancers, including mouth, throat, oesophagus, larynx, stomach, pancreas, bladder, kidney, liver, cervix, endometrium, ovaries, prostate, testes, thyroid gland, and leukaemia. The good news is that quitting smoking doesn’t mean giving up on life. There are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself without lighting up. Quit smoking support groups can be a great resource for learning how to kick the habit. They offer advice and encouragement and often include free nicotine patches and gum. Check with your doctor to see if any programs exist near you.

2. Eat healthy

While many factors contribute to the development of cancer, poor eating habits are believed to play a role in a significant number of all cases. Eating too much processed foods and refined sugar can lead to inflammation in our bodies. Inflammation can cause cells to mutate and become cancerous.

The best way to prevent cancer is to eat a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low fat dairy products. Specific superfoods such as broccoli, blueberries, goji berries, and garlic may reduce the risk of getting certain cancers. Not only are they low in calories, but they’re also full of phytochemicals and antioxidants. Foods high in vitamins A and C, folate, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

3. Exercise regularly

Singapore Physical Activity Guidelines (SPAG) – developed by health experts and representatives from Sports Singapore (SportSG) and theHealth Promotion Board (HPB) – recommend that Singaporeans increase participation in physical activities and reduce sedentary behaviour. Engaging in moderate-instenisy physical activity for at least 150 to 300 minutes per week is advised for adults. Moderate physical activity includes brisk walking, swimming, biking, dancing, hiking, jogging and playing sports.

Walking is a great form of exercise because it doesn’t require any special equipment; it burns calories, strengthens muscles, improves cardiovascular health, and relieves stress. Try incorporating more walking into your daily life and make it a part of your lifestyle. Consider walking if you usually take a bus from the train station home. Take the stairs instead of the escalator at the MRT station. Walk to get lunch instead of ordering delivery.

Get protected with critical illness insurance

In the event you’re diagnosed with cancer, having the right insurance plan can be a lifesaver. Critical illness insurance (CI) offers financial protection when battling cancer, and supports you throughout your recovery stage. The disease weakens your immune system, making it extremely hard to continue working. The lump sum payout of CI plans covers this loss of income and the expenses for treatment, hospitalisation and rehabilitation. A CI plan is different from term life insurance, medical insurance and hospital & surgical insurance. There are several types of CI insurance plans, including late-stage or early-stage CI plans, single-pay or multi-pay CI plans.

Guard against cancer with Expat Insurance

Expat Insurance offers several CI plans that fit your unique needs. When selecting a CI plan, consider the coverage offered, the cost of monthly premiums and your budget. Our insurance advisors will provide you with advice on how you can best protect yourself and your loved ones.

Relocating to another country might just be one of the most stressful events in one’s life. From packing your belongings to arranging lodging – there are multiple things you must consider and logistical arrangements that must be carried out. You are required to make several decisions and carefully plan your move in order for it to be smooth sailing. How can you take steps to prepare for your move? Start the planning process early. Create a comprehensive to-do list and plan ahead as far as possible to prevent yourself from feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

In this article, we provide a checklist for foreigners choosing to relocate to Singapore, along with some tips when it comes to living here.

How can you start preparing for your move?

1. Research housing and rental options

Set aside time to do extensive research on housing and find out the procedure for renting in Singapore. Also, decide on your budget, location and essential amenities. Singapore offers public housing, Housing and Development Board (HDB), private condominiums, landed properties and service apartments. If you have young children, choosing a house with facilities like a swimming pool, tennis courts and barbeque pits might be a good idea.

Next, determine which neighbourhood is best for your family based on where your children’s school and workplace are located. Some popular districts for foreigners include Orchard, Holland Village, Tanglin and Novena. Enlisting the help of a housing agent can help take a lot of the leg work out of the process and allow you to narrow down your options quickly. Contact an agent through a reputed site such as PropertyGuru or OrangeTee.

2. Select international schools for your child

While Singapore might be one of the best countries to raise families, you mustn’t overlook how pivotal choosing the right school for your child is. Moving to another country can be difficult for your child. It can mean uprooting them from what they are familiar with – their school, friends and routines. Selecting the ideal school in Singapore can help ease them into a new environment and allow them to flourish.

Consider schools with great culture, a curriculum and syllabus that aligns with that of your home country, an experienced, caring team of teachers and a wide range of extracurricular activities. Singapore offers several excellent international school options, including Chatsworth International School and Dulwich College Singapore International School.

3. Integrate into the community

Having close connections and friendships is key to living a rich life. When you first move, you can quickly feel lonely and isolated. Step outside of your comfort zone and take the right steps to meet people within your community. Before the big move, ask your family and friends if they might know anyone who has migrated to and is currently living in Singapore. This way, you can establish contact before moving.

A significant part of living abroad is soaking up in the local Singapore culture. Research the type of local events such as festivals, concerts, exhibitions, food fests and expositions to interact with the community. Try also to find some online groups for foreigners. Consider joining local meetups and events, such as Meetup.com, Facebook groups, Twitter chats, etc. This way, you’ll be able to connect with other foreigners who speak your native language and share tips about where to eat, what to do, and how to survive.

4. Purchase health insurance

Singapore offers high-quality healthcare. Its healthcare system ranks 12th in the 2021 World Index of Healthcare Innovation. While Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) have access to MediShield Life, foreigners living here are not afforded the same coverage. Your new workplace might also provide you with an employee benefits package through group insurance, but this offers basic coverage, which might be inadequate to cover your needs or that of your family.

Hence, it’s imperative to purchase life and medical insurance as a foreigner living in Singapore. Insurance provides a financial safety net if you have a medical emergency or contract a critical illness. Instead of incurring high expenses from hospital stays or clinic treatments, select an insurance package that offers comprehensive coverage. Consider your budget, the coverage provided, the premium amount and the deductible amount when considering the various health insurance plans.

Learn more with Expat Insurance

Expat Insurance offers a range of insurance products. Speak to our insurance advisors to find out how you can best protect yourself and your loved ones.

Moving overseas is a big decision, and it’s one that can become more complicated when you have children. In addition to finding a new home and job, you’ll also need to consider your child’s schooling and well-being. How will they adjust to a new culture and climate? Will they be able to make friends easily?

Younger kids may have an easier time adapting while older kids are likely to struggle more with leaving their friends behind. With a little planning, however, the process can be much smoother. We’ve previously discussed the things to prepare before moving to Singapore but if you are planning to raise your child in Singapore, you will need to take the time to prepare thoroughly and ensure that it will be a positive experience for your whole family.

1. Explore the schooling options

One of the biggest decisions parents have to make is what kind of school to enroll them in: Local or international. Local schools can provide a more immersive experience, allowing your child to learn about the culture in Singapore and make friends with other children who are familiar with the area. Take note that if you are planning to enrol your child into a public school in Singapore, they will need to apply for a Student’s Pass unless they hold a Dependant’s Pass or an Immigration Exemption Order.

On the other hand, international schools may be a better fit for kids who are struggling to adapt to their new surroundings as they can provide a sense of stability and community. International schools can offer a more familiar educational experience, with curricula that are typically aligned with what children are used to in their home countries. If your child is not fluent in English, international schools also usually take a bilingual or multilingual approach to education, which can help your child learn the language quickly. With more than 50 international schools in Singapore to choose from, be sure to explore the various options available that can provide the best learning environment for your child.

2. Be familiar with the admission requirements

When that is done, it will be useful to know the school’s admission requirements before beginning the application process. This will save you time by allowing you to immediately eliminate options that are not a good match for your child. Each school may have a different set of criteria; some may require a placement test to assess your child’s academic abilities and ensure that they are placed in the appropriate class level.

Others may need additional documents as part of the registration procedure, so it is essential to check what will be needed in advance. For example, they will need a passport-sized photograph of your child, a photocopy of both child’s and parents’ passports, teacher reference letters as well as the most recent official transcripts or report cards. Once everything is submitted, the school will review your child’s application and notify you of their decision.

3. Know the start date of the application period

That being said, make sure to meet the application period of the shortlisted school to successfully secure a spot for your child. By knowing the start and end date of the application period, you can have sufficient time to gather the necessary documents and avoid any last-minute scrambling. Failing to meet the deadline can otherwise result in your child’s application being rejected, so it is crucial to plan ahead of time and align your move with it.

Get started

With your child’s future school settled, you can then focus on other aspects of your relocation to Singapore. This includes getting comprehensive insurance coverage in your new country of residence. Life and medical insurance, for instance, can help to bridge the gap by providing access to quality healthcare and financial assistance in the event of an accident or critical illness. Even if you’re only renting a house in Singapore, it is also a good idea to insure your belongings with home contents insurance. Ultimately, insurance provides peace of mind – knowing that you and your family are protected against the financial consequences of unforeseen events.

To safeguard your family’s new chapter in Singapore, feel free to reach out to Expat Insurance and learn more about our home contents insurance policies today.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a seismic shift in the way we work, with many employees now working from home on a permanent basis. Even as more are able to return to the office, many are choosing to continue with the WFH arrangements they’ve made during the pandemic.

Challenges and benefits of working remotely

For some, the ability to work from home has saved them a significant amount of time and money on commuting costs. It has also given them more flexibility in terms of their work schedule, which can be a huge perk for parents or caregivers in Singapore. Additionally, some employees may simply find they are more productive when working from home.

However, while this arrangement has its advantages, it can also pose challenges for managers. This includes issues in:

Communication: Staying in touch with remote employees can be difficult, even with platforms like Slack, Skype and Zoom. Managers may also struggle to provide adequate supervision and support to staff who are not physically present.
Productivity: With people in different locations, it can be tough to keep track of what needs to be done and who is responsible for what. This can lead to confusion and frustration, especially if deadlines are not being met.
Company culture: Some employees may miss the social interaction that comes with being in the office. Managers may also miss opportunities for informal mentoring and networking that happen when staff members are in close proximity to one another.
Retention: If employees are satisfied with working from home, there is a risk that they may leave the company if they are offered a job with another company that allows them to work remotely. This can be a significant loss for the company, both in terms of the investment made in the employee and in terms of knowledge and expertise.

Moreover, working from home can make it difficult to establish and maintain professional boundaries. For example, employees may find themselves working longer hours and this can lead to burnout. As a manager, it is crucial to find new ways to stay connected with your employees and ensure that everyone feels engaged with their work. It’s a tricky balance to strike but with the below tips, you can motivate your employees to return to the office.

Return-to-office engagement ideas

1. Organise team lunches

For some, the prospect of going back to the office after months of working from home may feel like a step backwards. They may worry about readjusting to a more traditional work environment and managing their work-life balance. Others may find it difficult to reconnect with colleagues after being out of touch for so long.

As a start, team lunches can be a great step to gather everyone in the office. A weekly or monthly lunch gathering gives employees a chance to socialise, bond over common interests and catch up on work in a relaxed setting. This can provide a much-needed break from the isolation of working from home. It can also be a great opportunity for you to check in with your staff and get feedback on projects. When setting up team lunches, be sure to schedule them in advance so that everyone has time to clear their calendars.

2. Set expectations

Face-to-face interactions are still the best way to build relationships and encourage collaboration. Besides regular team lunches, you can also make it mandatory for employees to come into office at least once a week. This will give them a chance to collaborate or simply get to know their colleagues in person. Additionally, it will help to ensure that they remain engaged with the company and invested in its success.

3. Allow flexible working hours

With that in mind, another way to encourage remote workers to come into the office on occasion is to allow flexible working hours. With flexible working hours, employees can choose when they want to come in to work. This can help to make the office a more attractive place to work as it gives employees more control over their schedules and work-life balance.

4. Offer perks and benefits

Finally, employees should feel like they have a good work-life balance and that their health and wellbeing are being taken into consideration. On top of flexible working hours, you can also consider including more desirable perks like expanded choices for health insurance and staff gym membership as part of your wellness program initiatives. The goal is to make the office a more attractive place to work and give employees the motivation they need to return. By offering these employee benefits, you can effectively reduce absenteeism and improve productivity. In turn, you can gain a significant advantage in attracting and retaining top talent in Singapore.

If you are keen to renew your employee benefits insurance, get in touch with Expat Insurance today for more information.

In Asia, Singapore ranks 14th globally for quality of life and standard of living, according to the 2021 U.S. News Best Countries rankings. The Republic is known for its political stability, safety, cleanliness and thriving economy. It’s no surprise that many foreigners consider Singapore when thinking of cities to move to. If this is you, finding out the type of healthcare you need before you move could help to ensure you’re fully prepared if you have a health emergency in Singapore. In this article, we provide you with all the reasons why insurance is essential and how to go about choosing a plan.

Why is it important to be protected?

The cost of healthcare in Singapore has risen steadily over the last few years. According to data by Statista, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of healthcare in Singapore in 2021 was more than twice than the figure in 1990 – indicating rising inflation levels. What does this mean for those seeking healthcare treatment here? If, for example, one develops a sore throat or breaks an arm, having access to the right medical treatment can help you heal quickly. If you contract a critical illness, like kidney failure or major cancer, being provided financial aid can help you cover the cost of treatment sessions and basic necessities like food and rent.

Medishield is the insurance plan offered by the Singapore government to Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs). As a foreigner living in Singapore, however, the same subsidy benefits for healthcare do not apply In order to not have to foot heavy hospital bills, having the right insurance plan that comprehensively covers you is key. This ensures you wouldn’t have to dip into your savings, take out a loan, or borrow from family and friends.

Benefits of medical insurance

Getting treatment at private hospitals can be expensive. The cost of treatment for private hospitals averages $1,800 to $3,700 per day. Your employer might provide you access to a basic healthcare plan, but this may not be enough to cover all your needs or that of your family. Private medical insurance plans can help to plug any gaps in these plans. There are also specific instances where foreigners would need top-up insurance. If you’re planning on having children, adding on maternity insurance will provide you peace of mind from conception to post-delivery. If you already have a family in Singapore, buying family insurance will help cover your family’s needs.

Benefits of life insurance

Life insurance, such as critical illness insurance and Total Permanent Disability (TPD) offers protection in the form of a lump sum payout. For example, if you contract major cancer or have a stroke, having a pay out can be helpful to cover treatment costs. You might also not be able to continue working, which can mean a loss of income. Having financial assistance can provide assurance and peace of mind by ensuring you don’t have to pay expensive bills. With a Total Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance rider add-on, you can also be assured that you will be protected in the event you lose your sense of sight or experience a loss of limb.

How to choose a health insurance plan?

When choosing a health insurance plan, it’s important to consider several things, such as your budget, your needs, the deductible amount and the coverage offered by the plan. Your goal is to have comprehensive coverage while taking on a plan with an affordable premium. Ensure that you are able to set aside this sum after deducting the cost of your basic necessities, such as food, rent and transportation. Take note of the deductible amount – the amount you pay before your health insurance pays out. The benefit of a lower deductible amount is that what you pay out of pocket is less, but you will have to pay higher premiums.

Some companies offer their staff employee benefits through group insurance. This insurance solution offers coverage in the form of hospital and surgical insurance, term life, critical illness, personal accident and dental. Find out what your employee already covers you for, and speak to your insurance provider to find out what gaps you might have in your plans. In this way, you can determine how you can supplement the plans you currently have, including the ones you might have from back home.

Protect yourself and your loved ones with Expat Insurance

Having access to healthcare when you need it is vital. As a foreigner living in Singapore, you can protect yourself from incurring high expenses by helping to cover the costs of medical care by having health insurance. Speak to our insurance advisors at Expat Insurance to have your current plans looked at and for us to walk you through the benefits of our various plans. We are keen on providing you with the best coverage by proposing insurance plans most suited to your needs so that you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

Recently moved into your newly renovated home with beautiful hardwood flooring? Or decked out your home with the latest OLED television? You might have invested in the items in your house and the total value of your fixtures, floorings, home appliances, kitchen silverware and carpets might be worth a lot. Ensure you have home and contents insurance to keep these items sufficiently protected in the event of a fire, flood or some other mishap. In this article, we list some factors to consider when choosing a home insurance plan to protect your home in Singapore.

What should you look out for when choosing home insurance?

1. Property ownership

The type of home insurance you should purchase is dependent on whether you own your house, are renting the property or are a landlord leasing out the property. If you own the property, insurance advisors recommend getting comprehensive coverage to ensure that you are well protected financially if your property and its contents sustain loss or damages during a fire, flood or in the event of a theft.

If you’re a landlord leasing out your furnished home, it’s especially vital that you buy insurance plans to cover the cost of damages to furniture, appliances or priceless items like artwork. By purchasing home insurance, you also mitigate potential rental loss if you are unable to rent out your property if this happens. If you’re a foreigner renting an apartment in Singapore, you might want to consider purchasing home and contents insurance especially if your home is unfurnished and you have bought several expensive items, as these items belong to you and not the landlord.

2. The value of your home’s contents

It’s sometimes easy to overlook the fact that your home is where all your personal items are housed and that the combined value of all your items can be significant. From home appliances to bathroom fixtures, to kitchen crockery – you want to ensure all of it’s protected in the event of a break-in or if a fire breaks out.

Big-ticket items like sofas, as well as home electrical appliances, such as your refrigerators and washing machines, can be costly. Your personal belongings like your clothes, shoes, bags, and jewellery are also considered part of your home’s contents and should be calculated as part of your home’s total value. Don’t forget to also add in your fine art and antique collection, such as paintings, and sculptures which can be especially hard to replace.

If you’ve renovated your home, take note to also include this cost when calculating the value of your home. Renovating your home can be costly, especially if it’s a major renovation involving flooring replacement, or the addition of built-in wardrobes, or new bathroom fixtures such as new toilet bowls and wash basins.

3. Coverage and add-ons

An important part of the process is determining what you would like to be covered for. For example, in the event of a major fire, what happens if your home is destroyed along with all your personal items, you sustain injuries and require a temporary place to stay? Will your insurance cover the costs of all of this? Taking the time to select a home contents insurance plan that provides coverage for these would help you put your mind at ease. Some key items include the following:

Damage to physical structure of house – Covers building structure.
Home contents – Covers home appliances, furniture, electronic devices, home entertainment systems.
Personal liability – Covers injuries sustained by someone in your home or any damages done to your neighbour’s property in the event a fire, for example, breaks out due to personal negligence.
Alternative accommodation – Covers interim accommodation if you can no longer live in your home while it’s being renovated.
Pets – Covers loss of pets.

Different policies offer levels of coverage and some providers offer add-ons at higher premium rates. Read the policies presented to you carefully to determine what is covered. To obtain comprehensive, all-inclusive coverage, consider all-risk plans – plans that cover you for everything except for what is explicitly excluded. Otherwise, insured peril policies provide coverage for only what is listed in your plan.

Insure your home and valuables with Expat Insurance

When deciding on a home and contents insurance and which provider to go with, it’s important to calculate what your home and the contents within it are worth to be able to determine if the coverage provided by the insurance plan sufficiently covers you. Browse Expat Insurance’s Home, Contents and Valuables Insurance to find out more. Or speak to our insurance advisors to learn more about how our plans can fit your needs and ensure you and your loved ones are adequately protected.