Pauline, Sorry to hear..plus the unsupportive ILs (or just the FIL?). Must be quite demoralizing to hear such things even if not your own parents. perhaps that's just their family style of not going the extra mile. (My hubby's side is also like that, say nice is independent. Put in a bad way is simply bo chup. Stark difference from my family where we go all the way OUT of our way to help each other.)
Anyway, rest assured that things will be ok somehow. Dun worry too much and concentrate on recovery. Kids will learn to adapt, abeit some (or a lot of) fussing/crying etc. My cousin once told me also to always take it easy - that no child ever died fussing/crying (but of course, must bring to doc if sick!)
I was asking my bro (who does fin plan/insur) about your ins query.
First things first, it's by regulation that you must have at least third-party coverage for all cars in singapore.
Other than that, there's 2 other aspects, being cost of your car, potential repairs in accidents (where it's your fault) and also third-party claims against you.
You are right that insurance only cover COE + scrap value and you can get the same money from scrap yard/deregistering your car (COE rebate).
What the insurance covers is the third-party claims against you (car + injuries etc) which can come up to tens of thousands or more sometimes (after ascertaining that its your liability of course). I recall hearing a case where taxi driver claim against another motorist for 40-50k of repeated hospitalization charges due to physiotherapy as well as extended home leave to rest!
Then of course, under comprehensive coverage, you also pay that premium to cover for damages to your car in an accident that far exceed your excess value + premium. (eg bang 2 doors not just replacing those 2 doors, but also to spray paint the entire adjourning panels to ensure consistency of colour plus the necessary structure - if compromised - and maybe internal furnishings. If repairs come up to $10k, your premium is $1.5k and your excess is $1k, then insurance is still worth it cuz you "save" $10k-$1k-$1.5k = $7.5k.) Of course, best is nothign happen lah but that's the freaky thing about life right?
You'll need to read the T&Cs of your contract to see what exactly you're covered for. If it's other parties' fault, then i think more complicated i guess but to my recollection, should be able to claim for anything but when it comes to car, should still be scrap + COE. I only remember the golden rule is never to admit it's your fault.
He also mentioned that coverage from NTUC will be much less/comprehensive compared to other companies sometimes. All depends on your contract.
Hope this helps. Feel free to shoot more questions. Will help if possible.
Once again, dun worry too much. your insurance agent should help u out with all the motor stuff by right.
