Manage Great Eastern

How to cancel great eastern insurance and claim your freelook refund

What is great eastern and why you might want to cancel

Great Eastern stands as one of Singapore's largest life and general insurers, offering life insurance, health coverage, travel protection, and home insurance products to residents across the island. You manage policies conveniently through their mobile app or online portal, with customer support available through multiple channels.

If you've recently purchased a Great Eastern policy and realised it doesn't match your needs, or you've found better coverage elsewhere, you have cancellation rights under Singapore law. This guide explains your options, your refund entitlements, and the exact steps to cancel without losing money unnecessarily. Stopee is here to walk you through every stage so you understand your position and recover what you're owed.

When cancellation makes sense

You might cancel a Great Eastern policy if you've purchased a travel plan but your trip plans changed, if a life insurance product no longer fits your budget, or if you've switched providers for better value. The good news: Singapore gives you strong cooling-off rights during the first 14 days-your freelook period. After that window closes, your options narrow, but they still exist.

Your timeline matters

The difference between cancelling within 14 days versus after that deadline is stark. Act within your freelook period and you recover your full premium (minus certain costs). Wait longer and refunds drop significantly or disappear entirely, depending on your policy type. Stopee recommends checking your policy issue date immediately-this is your countdown clock.

Your consumer rights and protections in singapore

Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act shields you when you purchase insurance, and you have additional rights under the Insurance Act and regulation by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

The 14-day freelook period explained

You have 14 days from your policy issue date to cancel and request a full refund of premiums paid-this is your "freelook" or cooling-off period. For Takaful policies (Islamic insurance), this extends to 15 days. This right exists because insurance is a significant financial commitment and the law recognises you deserve time to change your mind without penalty.

During freelook, you're not obligated to provide a reason. Simply submit a Freelook or Not Taken Up form to Great Eastern, return your original policy document, and request your refund. Coverage stops immediately once the company processes your request. Pro tip: Submit your cancellation in writing (email or registered mail) so you have proof of the date you initiated the process.

Protections beyond the freelook period

Once your 14-day window closes, you no longer have an automatic right to a full refund. However, you can still cancel your policy at any time by providing written notice. Refunds after freelook depend entirely on your specific policy terms and the type of insurance you hold.

Singapore's consumer authorities-including the MAS and the Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE)-protect you if Great Eastern refuses reasonable cancellation requests or mishandles your refund. If the company denies your claim unfairly, you can escalate to CASE for mediation or to the MAS for regulatory review.

How to cancel great eastern during the freelook period

If you're cancelling within your first 14 days, this is your path to recover your full premium payment.

Step-by-step freelook cancellation process

1. Locate your policy issue date on your policy document or in the Great Eastern app-this is day one of your 14-day window.
   • Open your email confirmation or your physical policy letter and note the exact date issued.
   • Mark day 14 on your calendar to ensure you don't miss the deadline.
2. Download or request the Freelook or Not Taken Up form from Great Eastern.
   • Visit the Great Eastern Singapore website and search the Forms section, or contact their customer service team directly.
   • You can also request the form via email or phone-Great Eastern processes these requests same-day.
3. Complete the form with your policy number, personal details, and reason for cancellation (though you don't need to provide extensive justification).
   • Be clear and concise; use your policy number as the primary identifier.
   • Sign and date the form-handwritten signatures are acceptable.
4. Gather your original policy document and any supporting documents that came with it.
   • Do not send copies; Great Eastern requires the original physical document to process the cancellation properly.
   • Check the policy envelope for any supplementary schedules or riders you purchased-include these too.
5. Submit your cancellation request using one of these methods:
   • Via the Great Eastern mobile app: Navigate to your policy, select "Manage Policy," and look for the cancellation or document submission option. Upload your signed form here if available.
   • Online submission: Visit the Great Eastern portal, log in with your credentials, and submit the form through the customer portal if the option is offered.
   • At a Great Eastern counter: Visit any Great Eastern branch with your original policy and completed form. Staff will process it immediately and provide a receipt.
   • By registered mail: Send your form and original policy to the cancellation address listed below (recommended to include tracking proof).
   • Via your financial adviser or agent: If you purchased through a financial representative, you can submit the cancellation request through them-they will forward it to Great Eastern on your behalf.
6. Request a cancellation confirmation and refund timeline in writing.
   • If submitting online or by mail, follow up with an email asking for written confirmation within 3 business days.
   • Note the date you submitted the cancellation-this protects you if Great Eastern later disputes when they received it.

Warning: If you submit your cancellation on day 13 or 14, ensure it arrives at Great Eastern by the end of business on day 14. If using mail, submit earlier to guarantee timely delivery. Stopee recommends hand delivery or registered post if you're near the deadline-do not rely on standard mail in the final days.

What happens after you submit your freelook cancellation

Once Great Eastern receives your completed form and original policy, the company processes the cancellation within 5 working days. Your coverage stops immediately upon processing. The company then arranges your refund via your preferred payment method-typically PayNow (instant) or bank transfer.

You should receive your full premium refund minus any applicable costs explicitly outlined in your policy terms. Check your bank account 5-7 working days after cancellation confirmation. Pro tip: Set a reminder to verify the refund has arrived; if it hasn't by day 7, contact Great Eastern's customer service with your cancellation reference number.

Cancellation methods for non-freelook policies

If you're past the 14-day freelook period, your cancellation options depend on the type of insurance you hold.

Travel insurance cancellations

Great Eastern offers two travel products with different cancellation rules: single-trip policies and annual multi-trip covers.

Single-trip travel insurance: You may cancel before your trip departs and receive a refund of your premium minus a S$25 administration fee. If you cancel after your trip has started, you receive no refund; however, your coverage continues for the remainder of your trip duration. Pro tip: If you cancel a single-trip policy, do so well before your departure date to avoid any ambiguity about whether your trip has "started."

Annual multi-trip travel insurance: Either you or Great Eastern may cancel this policy with 1 month's written notice in advance. Refunds are calculated on a pro-rata basis according to the number of days elapsed since your policy started. Stopee advises understanding this schedule before cancelling: if you've held the policy fewer than 60 days, you receive 60% of your premium back; 61-120 days earns a 40% refund; 121-180 days yields 20%; beyond 180 days, you receive no refund. Send your cancellation notice by registered mail or email with read receipt to prove delivery and timing.

Home and general insurance cancellations

Home, contents, and general insurance policies allow either party (you or Great Eastern) to cancel with 30 days' written notice. Submit your notice in writing-email with receipt confirmation or registered mail-to ensure Great Eastern receives it on a clear date.

Refunds follow Great Eastern's time-in-force schedule, which descends as your coverage period lengthens. For example, a policy cancelled within 1 month of issue might refund 80% of your premium; after 6 months, the refund drops to perhaps 20%; after 12 months, no refund is offered. Refunds are paid only if the amount due equals or exceeds S$25 plus applicable GST. Stopee recommends requesting the specific time-in-force schedule for your policy from Great Eastern before submitting your cancellation-this transparency helps you decide whether cancellation makes financial sense.

Pricing, plans, and the great eastern mobile app

Understanding what you're paying for helps you identify genuine savings or unnecessary coverage.

Great eastern app and platform costs

The Great Eastern mobile app is free to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. There are no subscription fees, no in-app costs, and no hidden charges to use the app for policy management, viewing your policy details, or conducting basic transactions. You access the same functionality at no extra cost whether you use the website portal or mobile app.

Premium costs vary significantly based on the type of insurance, your age, health profile, coverage limits, and underwriting factors. Use Stopee's comparison tools to benchmark Great Eastern's pricing against competitor offerings before deciding to cancel and switch-sometimes the grass isn't greener.

Will you receive a refund when you cancel

Your refund depends critically on timing and policy type-understanding this before you cancel prevents disappointment.

Freelook period refunds (14 days)

Cancel during your freelook and Great Eastern refunds your full premium payment, subject to any explicit policy conditions. The company processes your refund within 5 working days of confirming your cancellation. You receive the money via PayNow (typically same-day or next-day) or bank transfer, depending on your elected payment method.

Pro tip: Request a refund confirmation email that specifies the amount, payment method, and expected receipt date. This serves as proof if any issue arises and helps you track the money.

Travel insurance refunds beyond freelook

Single-trip policies cancelled before departure refund your premium minus S$25 administration cost. If your trip has started, no refund applies-you've used the coverage.

Annual multi-trip refunds are calculated on elapsed days: up to 60 days of coverage earns a 60% refund; 61-120 days earns 40%; 121-180 days earns 20%; over 180 days, the refund is nil. These percentages are fixed and non-negotiable, so calculate whether cancellation is worth the administrative hassle.

Home and general insurance refunds

Refunds follow Great Eastern's time-in-force schedule and decline as your policy ages. Stopee strongly recommends requesting this schedule in writing before cancelling-it's specific to your policy and underwriting date. Importantly, you receive a refund only if the amount due is at least S$25 plus applicable GST. If your refund calculates to S$20, you receive nothing; the threshold protects Great Eastern's administration but can leave you short-changed if you're unaware.

What happens to your coverage and records after cancellation

Cancellation takes effect immediately upon processing, so understand the implications before you press submit.

When your coverage stops

For freelook cancellations, your coverage ceases the moment Great Eastern processes your cancellation request-typically within 24 hours of submission. If you submit your cancellation on a Monday morning, your policy is cancelled by Tuesday morning. Do not assume you remain covered while your refund processes; you do not.

For travel policies, single-trip coverage ends at the time you cancel if you haven't departed; if your trip is underway, coverage continues until your scheduled return date unless you explicitly request early termination. Annual multi-trip coverage ends 30 days after Great Eastern receives your written cancellation notice, giving you time to plan alternative coverage if needed.

For home and general insurance, coverage ends 30 days after your cancellation notice arrives, provided you've given proper written notice. During this 30-day notice period, you remain fully covered.

Policy records and future renewals

Once Great Eastern processes your cancellation, the policy is closed in the company's systems. You will not receive renewal notices, promotional emails, or contact from Great Eastern regarding that specific policy in future. Keep digital and physical copies of your cancellation confirmation and any refund communications for your records-these document proof of cancellation if disputes arise.

Cancelled policies remain part of your insurance history and may be visible on your personal profile if you log into the Great Eastern portal in future. This is normal and does not affect your credit rating or ability to purchase new policies with Great Eastern or competitors.

Common mistakes people make when cancelling great eastern

Cancellation feels straightforward but small errors cost you money and delay refunds.

Missing the 14-day deadline

The most costly mistake is allowing your freelook period to expire. Once day 14 passes, you lose the automatic right to a full refund and enter the policy-term-dependent refund schedule, where your money back shrinks dramatically. Check your issue date the moment you receive your policy-do not assume you have time. If you're uncertain whether you're still in freelook, contact Great Eastern immediately with your policy number and ask for the exact freelook expiry date in writing.

Submitting cancellation without keeping proof

If you email your cancellation form, Great Eastern's inbox may mark it as read but fail to route it to the cancellation team. If you post it, delays happen. Always request a confirmation receipt, include a tracking number with registered mail, or submit in person at a Great Eastern counter and request a stamped receipt. Stopee has seen refunds delayed 8 weeks because a customer couldn't prove they'd submitted their cancellation on time.

Cancelling the wrong policy

If you hold multiple Great Eastern policies (e.g., a life insurance policy and a travel policy), ensure your cancellation form specifies the exact policy number you wish to cancel. A vague submission leaves room for Great Eastern to cancel the wrong policy. Always reference your policy number and policy type explicitly on your cancellation form.

Assuming coverage continues until the refund arrives

Your coverage stops when your cancellation is processed, not when your refund hits your bank account. If you cancel a health or travel policy expecting protection to last until your refund clears, you may find yourself uninsured. Plan alternative coverage immediately after submitting your cancellation, especially for travel or health products.

Not following up when the refund is late

Great Eastern states a 5-working-day refund timeline, but delays happen-especially if you've submitted by mail or the form is incomplete. If you haven't received your refund by day 7 after cancellation confirmation, contact customer service with your reference number. Stopee recommends following up proactively rather than waiting weeks. A simple email with evidence of your cancellation submission often unlocks a refund that was stuck in a queue.

Checklist for cancelling great eastern without losing money

Use this checklist to stay on track and avoid refund delays or denials.

• Check your policy issue date immediately-note your 14-day freelook expiry date in your phone calendar.
• Review your policy document for any explicit cancellation conditions or clauses-some riders or add-ons have separate cancellation rules.
• Request the Freelook or Not Taken Up form from Great Eastern via the app, website, or customer service; confirm receipt.
• Complete the form with your policy number, personal details, and signature; keep a copy for your records.
• Gather your original policy document and all supplementary papers that came with it.
• Choose your submission method: app submission, online portal, in-person counter, registered mail, or via your financial adviser.
• Submit your cancellation and immediately request a confirmation email stating the submission date and time.
• If submitting by mail, use registered post and retain the tracking number.
• Follow up within 3 working days if you haven't received a confirmation email; provide your tracking number if applicable.
• Note the cancellation confirmation date-your 5-working-day refund countdown begins here.
• Check your nominated bank account on day 5 and day 7 post-confirmation; if the refund hasn't arrived, contact Great Eastern with your reference number.
• Retain all cancellation and refund communications for at least 3 years-these protect you if disputes arise.
• Arrange alternative insurance coverage immediately if you're cancelling a health or travel policy; do not rely on coverage after submission.

Reviews and what other customers report

Great Eastern holds a 4.5 out of 5 customer rating across major review platforms in Singapore, reflecting generally positive experiences with product range and app usability. However, customer feedback highlights consistent themes around cancellation and refunds.

Positive feedback praises the simplicity of freelook cancellation when submitted online or in person, with many customers reporting refunds within 5-7 days as promised. Customers appreciate the zero cost of the mobile app and the convenience of managing policies digitally.

Negative feedback centres on refund delays when cancellations are submitted by mail, confusion over time-in-force refund schedules for home and general policies, and difficulty reaching customer service during peak periods. Some customers report that Great Eastern's website forms are occasionally unclear, leading to incomplete submissions that extend refund timelines. A common complaint: customers were unaware their freelook period had expired and lost refund eligibility entirely.

Stopee's advice: submit your cancellation through the fastest available channel (in-person or app if possible), request written confirmation immediately, and follow up within 3 business days. These actions eliminate most of the friction reported in negative reviews.

Reasons to cancel versus reasons to keep your great eastern policy

Before you cancel, honestly assess whether you're solving a real problem or chasing a marginal saving.

Switching costs (underwriting delays, new exclusions, higher premiums due to age or health changes) often outweigh marginal savings. Use Stopee's comparison calculator to quantify the real saving before committing to cancellation-sometimes the devil you know is cheaper than the devil you don't.

How to escalate if great eastern refuses your cancellation or refund

Great Eastern almost never refuses a valid freelook cancellation, but disputes do arise over refunds after freelook or policy interpretation.

If Great Eastern denies your cancellation request, disputes the date you submitted it, or withholds a refund you believe you're entitled to, escalate through these channels:

First step: Contact Great Eastern's customer service in writing (email with read receipt) and clearly state your complaint. Include your policy number, the date you submitted your cancellation, proof of submission (tracking number, email confirmation, receipt), and the specific refund you expect. Request a written response within 10 business days.

Second step: If Great Eastern doesn't respond or denies your complaint, file a complaint with the Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE). CASE provides free mediation between you and Great Eastern at no cost. You can lodge a complaint online at www.case.org.sg or call 1800-6226-800. CASE handles disputes over refunds, cancellation processing, and unfair policy terms.

Third step: If CASE mediation fails, escalate to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Financial Services Dispute Resolution Centre (FsDRC). The MAS regulates insurance companies and investigates complaints about unfair or unlawful conduct. Visit www.moneylender.gov.sg for details on filing a complaint. Note that MAS reviews insurance regulatory breaches rather than general service complaints, so CASE escalation is typically the better first step.

Pro tip: Document every communication with Great Eastern-dates, times, names of staff, email addresses, reference numbers. This evidence strengthens your escalation claim to CASE or MAS and demonstrates you've made a genuine effort to resolve the issue directly.

Your next steps and where to send your cancellation

Act now if you're within your freelook period-every day that passes is one day lost. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel insurance policies without losing refunds by taking swift, documented action. Here's where to send your cancellation request:

Great Eastern's primary cancellation address:

Great Eastern Life Assurance (Singapore) Limited
210 East Coast Road
Singapore 428902
Email: care@greateastern.com.sg (request a delivery receipt)
Phone: 6248 3988
Mobile App: Navigate to Policy → Manage → Cancellation submission (if available)

Submit your completed Freelook or Not Taken Up form with your original policy document via one of these methods. If you're within 14 days, submit today by registered mail or visit a Great Eastern counter in person for immediate processing. If you're beyond freelook, verify your refund entitlement with customer service before cancelling-Stopee recommends speaking to a representative to confirm the exact refund amount you'll receive so you can make an informed decision.

Stopee empowers you with knowledge and transparency so you recover every dollar you're entitled to. Whether you're cancelling within freelook or navigating refund terms after, this guide puts you in control. Take action today, document everything, and don't hesitate to escalate to CASE if Great Eastern resists. Your money deserves protection, and Stopee is here to ensure you claim it.