11 Best ECI/CI Plans in Singapore: Early & Late-Stage [2025]

9 Best (Early & Late-Stage) Critical Illness Insurance Plans in Singapore

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best early & late stage critical illness insurance plan singapore
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Best Critical Illness Insurance
Manulife CI FlexiCare (Deluxe)
Best Multipay Critical Illness Insurance for Most Number of Claims
Singlife Multipay Critical Illness Plan
Best Multipay Critical Illness Insurance for Highest Conditions Covered
AIA Absolute Critical Cover
Cheapest Multipay Critical Illness Insurance in Singapore
HSBC Life Super CritiCare
Most Value Multipay Critical Illness Insurance in Singapore​
HSBC Life Super CritiCare
Best Early Stage Critical Illness Insurance Plan​
Singlife Comprehensive Critical Illness
Best Critical Illness Insurance Plan for Those With Pre-Existing Conditions
Singlife Essential Critical Illness
Best Term Life Plan for Critical Illness Insurance
Singlife Elite Term with Rider
Best Whole Life Plan for Critical Illness Insurance
NTUC Income Star Secure Pro with ECI/CI Rider

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Best Critical Illness Insurance in Singapore

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Manulife CI FlexiCare (Deluxe)

Manulife CI FlexiCare (Deluxe) stands out for its remarkable flexibility.

You can choose from several policy terms, including coverage that lasts until age 65, 75, 85, or even 99, allowing you to tailor the plan’s duration to fit your personal needs.

It also covers a whopping 152 conditions, including 13 juvenile conditions and 10 special conditions.

For these, you can claim up to $25,000 each time, and there can be up to 6 such claims.

This gives you a generous safety net when it matters most.

What really makes this plan attractive is its multipay feature, allowing you to receive up to 800% in payouts, capped at $250,000 per claim.

On top of that, you’ll find thoughtful benefits like the Recovery Care Plus Benefit, which pays out up to $25,000 if you’re admitted to the ICU or HDU for four consecutive days.

There’s also a Serious Illness of a Child Benefit, which covers 36 critical illnesses for your child below the age of 18.
Plus, after any claim, you’ll still get 100% of your premiums as a death benefit, helping to protect your loved ones.

This plan isn’t just about broad coverage; it’s also about making your life easier.

You get a premium waiver after the first claim, so you don’t have to worry about ongoing payments when you’re already dealing with health challenges.

Despite these robust features, it remains competitively priced at about $1,542.80 per year, making it a compelling option for those seeking comprehensive critical illness protection without straining their budget.

Best Multipay Critical Illness Insurance for Most Number of Claims

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Singlife Multipay Critical Illness

Singlife Multipay Critical Illness steps up the game by offering coverage for 159 conditions, including a generous list of juvenile and special conditions.

Each of the juvenile and special conditions can grant you up to $25,000 per claim, and you can claim these benefits up to 6 times.

You can select a policy term stretching anywhere from 10 years all the way up to age 99, which makes it easy to match the plan to your lifestyle and future goals.

With a maximum 900% multipay payout capped at $250,000 per claim, this plan really pushes the limits of how much protection you can receive over the policy’s lifetime.

There are also practical perks that go beyond the usual coverage.

For instance, your first Severe Stage Critical Illness claim for an eligible condition lets you opt for an additional 100% of your sum assured, although this will end your recurrent benefit.

The plan covers benign and borderline malignant tumours in 22 specified organs, and you even get an ICU Stay Benefit if you’re warded for 4 days or more.

There’s also a small $5,000 death benefit, which is a nice gesture on top of all the other payouts.

Despite these extensive features, the cost hovers around a very competitive $1,465 per year.

Still, there is a trade-off worth noting.

Although Singlife Multipay Critical Illness boasts more conditions, more multipay coverage, and a lower price than Manulife CI FlexiCare (Deluxe), the premium waiver isn’t triggered until you’ve claimed 300% of your sum assured.

This effectively means you’ll need to make 3 claims before your premiums are waived, which might feel like a tougher threshold compared to Manulife’s offering.

For many, this detail could tip the scales in favour of Manulife, especially if you value having your premiums waived after the very first claim.

Best Multipay Critical Illness Insurance for Highest Conditions Covered

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AIA Absolute Critical Cover

AIA Absolute Critical Cover is a true heavyweight when it comes to sheer breadth, covering an impressive 187 conditions that include 38 special conditions that each pay out up to $25,000.

This is serious peace of mind if you’re looking for that extra layer of security.

You can also choose how long you want your coverage to last – until age 65, 75, or even all the way to 100 – making it straightforward to tailor the plan around your personal goals.

On top of that, AIA includes a 500% multipay benefit, capped at $350,000 per claim, and thoughtful extras like a Safety Net Cover Benefit that pays up to $25,000 if you’re admitted to the ICU for 4 consecutive days.

Then there’s a unique Maturity Benefit that rewards you with 150% of your sum assured if you keep the policy in force until you turn 100.

If you find yourself wanting to pull out earlier, a Surrender Benefit will return 75% of your sum assured on your 60th policy anniversary or when you hit 75, with an additional 1% for each year after that.

Parents will appreciate the Child Premium Benefit, as it provides up to 10% discounts for your children’s ASCC policies until they reach 21.

Add in several ECI/CI premium waiver riders and even a small $5,000 death benefit, and you’ve got a truly rounded package.

All that value, however, comes at a price, and AIA Absolute Critical Cover leans towards the higher end of the market at around $1,999 per year.

Still, if you value a huge range of covered conditions and a host of extras designed to soften the blow of life’s harshest turns, this plan might be well worth considering.

Cheapest Multipay Critical Illness Insurance in Singapore ​

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HSBC Life Super CritiCare

HSBC Life Super CritiCare takes the prize for affordability, starting at around $1,165 per year, while still offering solid protection.

There’s a range of policy term options: you can pick coverage up to age 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75, or opt for a renewable term in increments of 5 to 30 years.

This gives you the freedom to choose a term that fits both your needs and your budget.

Coverage isn’t skimpy either. You get protection for 132 conditions in total, with up to 3 claims of $25,000 each for 10 juvenile conditions, and up to 6 claims of $25,000 each for 11 special conditions.

On top of that, there’s a generous 600% multipay allowance, with the potential to claim a staggering $1 million each time.

It’s rare to see such a high limit, especially at this price point, and it can ease your mind knowing you have a substantial safety net if things take a rough turn.

What sets HSBC Life Super CritiCare apart is its attention to the realities of everyday life.

They include a diabetes care programme if that’s a concern, a $10,000 death benefit as a small but meaningful addition, and an Early Critical Illness (ECI) premium waiver.

This waiver also extends to 6 months of free coverage if you lose your job before turning 50, offering a practical buffer during difficult times.

If cost is your main worry but you still want comprehensive coverage and some thoughtful extras, HSBC Life Super CritiCare may just be the perfect fit.

Most Value Multipay Critical Illness Insurance in Singapore

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HSBC Life Super CritiCare

If you’re a value-driven person, HSBC Life Super CritiCare takes things to a whole new level.

With premiums at just $1,165 per year and coverage for up to 132 conditions, the cost works out to about $8.83 per condition.

That’s incredible bang for your buck, especially compared to plans that might charge more and cover fewer conditions.

Not only that, you get up to 600% in multipay benefits and the option to choose a sum assured as high as $1 million.

Think about that. You’re paying a fraction of what other plans might ask, yet you can unlock a huge amount of potential payouts if things ever turn serious.

It’s a sweet spot for those who want more protection without forking out a fortune.

Plus, HSBC Life throws in a diabetes care programme worth $2,500 annually.

This isn’t just financial protection – it’s also support for better health management.

If you care about stretching every dollar for maximum coverage, you’ll appreciate what HSBC Life Super CritiCare has to offer.

Best Early Stage Critical Illness Insurance Plan

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Singlife Comprehensive Critical Illness

Singlife Comprehensive Critical Illness stands out if early-stage coverage is your top priority.

With a minimum policy term of just 10 years and the option to extend all the way up to age 99, you enjoy flexibility and long-term peace of mind.

The premiums are easy on the wallet too, at around $920 per year, which is a neat balance of cost and coverage.

The plan protects you against up to 159 conditions, including 16 juvenile conditions and 11 special conditions.

While this isn’t a multiclaim plan, the juvenile and special conditions can trigger payouts of up to $25,000 at 6 or 3 times, respectively.

While the maximum sum assured is capped at $100,000, the plan still ensures you get a decent layer of financial cushioning if you fall ill early on.

It might not seem huge at first glance, but for something you’re paying less than a thousand dollars a year for, it’s quite a bargain.

On top of that, there are some nice extras thrown in.

There’s a $5,000 death benefit.

There’s also an additional payout of 20% of your sum assured, up to $25,000, if you’re admitted to the ICU for more than 4 days.

And if you deal with foreign currencies or want some flexibility, you can choose your coverage amount in SGD, USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, or HKD.

This variety is rare and gives you room to adapt to your personal or professional circumstances, especially if you’re living or working overseas.

For anyone who’s looking to start safeguarding themselves early without breaking the bank, Singlife Comprehensive Critical Illness feels like a strong contender.

It’s straightforward, flexible, and broad enough to offer meaningful coverage during that vulnerable early stage of critical illnesses.

Best Critical Illness Insurance Plan for Those With Pre-Existing Conditions

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Singlife Essential Critical Illness

If you’re dealing with pre-existing conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or an elevated Body Mass Index, Singlife Essential Critical Illness could be a practical solution.

It’s designed with your unique situation in mind, offering coverage that runs for at least 15 years and can stretch all the way up to age 85.

While it covers fewer conditions – 14 Critical Illnesses in total – he plan allows you to secure up to $500,000 in sum assured, which is a significant safety net considering the added challenges you may face.

This isn’t just a bare-bones offering, either.

On top of the basic coverage, you’ll receive an additional lump-sum payout of 20% of your sum assured, up to $25,000, if you’re diagnosed with any of the 4 covered diabetic conditions.

There’s also a helpful advanced payout that provides 10% of your sum assured (capped at $25,000) if you need an Angioplasty or other invasive treatments for coronary arteries. Add in a death benefit that equals 100% of your sum assured, and you’ve got a plan that tries to cover all the bases.

What’s more, this plan’s premiums start at about $353 per year, which is notably affordable considering the circumstances.

If you’ve worried that pre-existing conditions would lock you out of decent coverage or force you into prohibitively high costs, Singlife Essential Critical Illness might pleasantly surprise you.

It’s a plan that acknowledges your health challenges and still strives to provide meaningful, cost-effective protection for the long run.

Best Term Life Plan for Critical Illness Insurance

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Singlife Elite Term with Rider

If you’re looking for a term life insurance plan that offers fantastic critical illness coverage, Singlife Elite Term with its CI Advance Cover Plus III rider might just be the top contender.

The Singlife Elite Term is a really cost-effective option, coming in cheaper than other term plans like Manulife’s Term Protect, AIA Secure Flexi Term, and Prudential’s PRUActive Term.

Essentially, you’re getting more coverage without spending way more – a win for those who want to maximise value.

Beyond its appealing pricing, the Singlife Elite Term covers up to 60 advanced late-stage critical illnesses, which currently outperforms the competition.

What’s even more attractive is the guaranteed issuance option (GIO) feature.

Let’s say you’ve just welcomed your first child or bought your first home. With GIO, you can increase your coverage during these life stages without having to go through medical underwriting again.

Even if you’ve developed pre-existing conditions since you first got the plan, they’ll still be covered, giving you the flexibility and reassurance you need as your life evolves.

And if you’re thinking about a multipay critical illness plan but find the standalone options a bit too pricey, the Singlife Elite Term offers a neat workaround.

You can simply add the MultiPay Critical Illness Cover IV rider, which lets you make multiple claims for different critical illness conditions.

The Singlife Elite Term is cost-effective, covers a wide range of late-stage illnesses, grows with you as your life changes, and can even be upgraded to a multipay plan if you want that extra layer of protection.

Best Whole Life Plan for Critical Illness Insurance

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NTUC Income Star Secure Pro with ECI/CI Rider

NTUC Income’s Star Secure Pro offers a whole life plan that comes fully loaded with impressive critical illness coverage.

It’s not just the usual benefits you’d expect; you also get accidental death protection built right into the base plan, which is something you don’t see every day.

Where it really shines is in the range of riders available, particularly those focused on critical illnesses.

The Advance Secure Accelerator rider, for example, covers not only the standard critical illness conditions but also future diseases that may not even exist yet.

On top of that, their early critical illness rider goes the extra mile, covering a huge array of conditions – this even includes 5 mental illnesses, which is refreshingly progressive.

If you’re trying to streamline your whole life and CI coverage into a single product, Star Secure Pro is worth a serious look.

With its Early Critical Illness (ECI) rider, you’re getting protection for a staggering 172 conditions.

That breaks down into 142 critical illnesses spanning different stages, plus 15 Special and 15 Juvenile conditions.

And, if you ever face severe conditions like Stroke, Major Cancer, or Heart Attack, the plan generously adds on an extra 50% of your coverage amount, helping you handle those toughest situations.

Keep in mind, though, that to unlock the ECI rider’s protection, you’ll need to have the CI rider in place first, which does mean paying higher premiums.

Still, for anyone who wants maximum coverage all in one plan, NTUC Income’s Star Secure Pro offers a robust, all-encompassing safety net that’s hard to ignore.

We’ve just taken a close look at several critical illness insurance plans in Singapore.

But remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

Everyone’s situation is unique.

A plan that’s perfect for one person might not be the best fit for another.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to get a second opinion, and if you’re ever unsure, it’s wise to talk to an unbiased financial advisor.

Feeling a bit lost or overwhelmed by all the options?

If you’re still scratching your head, just reach out.

You can chat with one of our partnered financial advisors at no cost.

They’ll guide you through the nuances, compare policies, and help you figure out which policy (if any) truly fits your needs and budget.

Click here to find the best CI policy for you.

Picture of Firdaus Syazwani
Firdaus Syazwani
In 1999, Firdaus's mother bought an endowment plan from an insurance agent to gift him $20,000. However, after 20 years of paying premiums, Firdaus discovered that the policy was actually a whole life plan with a sum assured of $20,000, and they didn't receive any money back. This experience inspired Firdaus to create dollarbureau.com, so that others won't face the same problem of being misled or not understanding what they are purchasing – which he sees as a is a huge problem in the industry.

Disclaimer: Each article written obtained its information from reliable sources and should be purely used for informational purposes only. The information provided by Dollar Bureau and its affiliated parties is not meant to be construed as financial advice. Dollar Bureau shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies, mistakes, omissions, and losses incurred should you act upon any information listed on this website. We recommend readers to seek financial planning advice from qualified financial advisors. 

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