Work injury compensation: who must be insured
The one policy most Singapore employers are required to hold, and the staff it must cover.
Corp Cover
8 Oct 2026 · 4 min read
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The Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) requires employers to insure their liability for work injuries. It is the one business policy most Singapore employers must hold by law.
Who must be covered?
- Every employee doing manual work, whatever their salary.
- Every employee doing non-manual work who earns S$2,600 or less a month, excluding overtime, bonuses and allowances.
Non-manual staff above that salary do not have to be insured, but the employer is still liable to pay compensation if they are injured at work. Most employers insure all staff for that reason.
What does the policy pay?
- Medical expenses, up to the limit set under the Act.
- Wages during medical leave or light duties.
- Lump-sum compensation for permanent incapacity or death, calculated by formula.
Compensation is paid regardless of who was at fault. An injured employee chooses between a WICA claim and a civil claim in court; they cannot pursue both. A civil claim is answered by an employer's liability section, which most WICA policies include.
What to check on renewal
- Headcount and wage roll by occupation match the current payroll.
- Every site and every type of work is declared, including work overseas.
- Contractors and freelancers are not on the policy. They need their own cover.
General information, not advice on a specific policy. Terms differ by insurer.
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