Rethink your term life insurance in 2026

It’s time to review your term life insurance for 2026 – and to help, here’s the Expat’s Guide to Future-Proofing Family Protection in Singapore, by Diot-Siaci Asia. They look at some key considerations below.

Are you sure you have the right financial coverage?

As an expat in Singapore, you have likely secured the basics: health insurance, savings and perhaps investments back home. But here is the important question many overlook: If something unexpected happened tomorrow, would your family be able to maintain stability, or would they face abrupt lifestyle changes and financial strain?

Many expat households carry heavier responsibilities than they realise. Schooling, housing, living costs and commitments abroad can compound quickly. Yet most rely solely on employer-provided benefits that end the moment you leave the job or relocate. That is not protection; it’s just a temporary cover with built-in uncertainty.

The corporate insurance trap most expats ignore

Group Term Life (GTL) insurance from employers may appear reassuring, but the protection is typically limited and conditional. Coverage levels differ across companies, and there is no industry requirement mandating employers to provide GTL at all.

Key considerations when reviewing your corporate GTL:

1. Coverage ends the day you leave your job.
   If you resign or when your contract changes, the protection usually stops immediately. This creates an exposure gap until new cover is arranged.
2. Portability is limited.
   Most GTL plans cannot be continued if you switch employers or move to another country. Any health conditions developed during employment may result in exclusions.
3. Benefit amounts are typically modest.
   Corporate benefits rarely reflect the true long-term needs of expat families, especially when considering children’s education, ongoing living expenses or overseas financial commitments.
4. There’s no personalisation.
   You cannot adjust a GTL plan to match your needs. Riders, additional coverage or specific financial goals cannot be integrated into a group plan.
5. Benefits may change unexpectedly.
   Employers can revise or discontinue coverage. Changes in insurers or cost-cutting measures may reduce your protection with little notice.
6. Delaying personal coverage can be costly.
   Relying solely on GTL may cause you to miss the chance to secure long-term coverage when you are young and healthy, when premiums are generally more favourable.

In conclusion, corporate insurance is helpful, but it should be seen as additional support, not your foundation.

Expat insurance in 2026

Singapore’s insurance environment continues to evolve. Regulatory updates, changing underwriting approaches and shifting expat demographics are reshaping the situation. This requires a move away from temporary employer-linked solutions and toward individually owned, portable, long-term protection.

Understanding coverage gaps

Many expat families carry financial responsibilities across multiple countries, from living expenses to education costs, property loans or family support. It is common to discover that current protection covers only a fraction of actual needs, leaving a sizeable gap that could significantly affect your family’s stability.

A comprehensive needs analysis typically considers:

• Long-term living expenses
• Children’s education
• Financial commitments abroad
• Emergency or repatriation needs
• Temporary or permanent disability considerations

This gap often becomes the difference between maintaining a familiar lifestyle and facing significant downsizing during an already difficult time.

Choosing smarter protection strategies

Forward-thinking expats build protection in layers, focusing on adaptability and long-term continuity. Opt for international insurers offering policies designed for globally mobile clients. The right plan should allow continuity even if you relocate, ensuring protection without re-underwriting.

While actual premiums vary, modern international term life policies commonly offer:

• Coverage in multiple currencies
• Portability across numerous countries
• Guaranteed renewability for the full term
• Fixed premiums throughout the policy duration
• Optional riders (subject to underwriting and insurer terms) such as disability or critical illness benefits

For precise quotes, a personalised consultation is recommended. 

A case study: The mathematics of being underinsured

Consider Michael, a 40-year-old British marketing director in Singapore, with a local salary of S$200,000, two children in international school, and a mortgage back in London:

Here are his family’s actual 10-year needs:

• Singapore living expenses: $1,200,000
• Children’s education (including university): $800,000
• UK mortgage balance: $500,000
• Emergency repatriation fund: $100,000
• Total: $2,600,000

And this is his current coverage:

• Corporate insurance: $400,000
• Coverage gap: $2,200,000

This gap represents the difference between maintaining your family’s lifestyle and forcing them into dramatic downsizing during their most vulnerable time.

How you can make more reliable choices

Forward-thinking expats look at insurance strategically as part of their overall financial architecture. They don’t rely on single policies but build layered protection that adapts to changing circumstances.

The Ladder Strategy: Instead of one large policy, they purchase multiple smaller policies with different terms:

• 10-year policy for $500,000 (covering mortgage)
• 20-year policy for $750,000 (children’s education)
• 30-year policy for $500,000 (spousal support)

As obligations decrease, expensive coverage drops off while maintaining essential protection.

The Portable Foundation: They prioritise international insurers offering true portability. Coverage follows them whether relocating to London, New York, Hong Kong or Dubai without new underwriting or premium changes.

Disclaimer: Sample premium illustrations 

Illustrative cost of insurance

Client profile: 40-year-old male, non-smoker

• Policy Term: 20 years
• Sum Assured: $1,000,000
• Estimated Premium: From approximately $85 per month

Key features available:

• Multiple currency options (SGD, USD, GBP, EUR, etc.)
• Worldwide portable coverage
• Guaranteed renewability to policy end
• Fixed premiums throughout duration

Note: Actual premiums vary based on health assessment, occupation, lifestyle factors and chosen riders. Best speak to one of Diot-Siaci Asia’s Relationship Managers for a personalised quote.

Making the right decision for 2026

As you plan for 2026, ask yourself these critical questions:

• Does my current coverage move with me if I change jobs or countries?
• Do I have sufficient coverage for myself and for my family?
• Can my family maintain their lifestyle for 10 years without my income?
• Have I protected against both death and disability?
• Will my coverage adapt as my family grows?

If you answered “no” to any of these, it’s time to rethink your term life insurance strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I still need personal term life insurance if I already have corporate coverage?
  Yes. Corporate benefits are temporary and conditional. Personal coverage ensures long-term, portable protection, independent of employment.
• How do I estimate the right amount of coverage?
  Consider long-term living needs, education costs, debts and emergency provisions. Subtract existing savings to estimate the coverage gap. Most expat families benefit from a structured, holistic calculation rather than rule-of-thumb estimates.
• What should I look for in a modern term life policy?
  Flexibility, portability, fixed premiums and optional riders that match your family’s needs. Global claims capability is especially important for mobile professionals.
• Can I keep my term life insurance if I leave Singapore?
  Yes. If the policy is designed for international mobility. Always confirm continuity of coverage, currency options and claims eligibility across borders.
• Should both spouses have coverage?
  Absolutely. The economic value of a non-working spouse is often underestimated. Both partners should carry meaningful protection to ensure family stability.

About Diot-Siaci Asia

Established in Singapore in 2009, Diot-Siaci Asia is a multi-specialist brokerage firm, and a subsidiary of the Diot-Siaci Group, a leading French International Broker operating in 72 cities around Europe, Africa, The Middle East and Asia with a recorded turnover in 2024 of over €1 billion.

We specialise in comprehensive insurance solutions for expatriates, understanding the unique challenges of international living. Our team of seasoned professionals brings extensive experience in structuring portable term life insurance that adapts to your global lifestyle.

With direct access to leading international insurers, we negotiate competitive rates while ensuring true worldwide coverage. Our multilingual Relationship Managers provide personalised consultation in English, French, Mandarin and other languages, making complex insurance decisions simple and clear.

Ready to secure your family’s future with the right term life insurance?

Contact Diot-Siaci Asia today for a confidential consultation. Our Relationship Managers will analyse your current coverage, identify gaps and design a comprehensive protection strategy that grows with your family and follows you globally.

Don’t wait for life changes to force your hand. Take control of your family’s financial security today.

Schedule your personalised term life insurance review with Diot-Siaci Asia. Email them at info@asia.diot-siaci.com or call 6401 9201.