The onus is on property owners to ensure they have the financial means to repair and restore their properties if they are damaged in a fire, the Ministry of National Development said in Parliament today.
This is in response to a query on why it is not compulsory for all residential and commercial property owners to take up property fire insurance.
However, HDB flat owners who take up HDB loans are required to buy fire insurance from the HDB-appointed insurer.
In addition, management corporations are required to obtain insurance for strata-titled developments under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act, so they can undertake restoration work to the developments in the event of accidents such as a fire.
Minister of National Development Khaw Boon Wan added, “Regardless, I encourage all owners to ensure that their properties are adequately insured against damages caused by unfortunate accidents such as a fire. It would be prudent to do so.”
Muneerah Bee, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email muneerah@propertyguru.com.sg
