Best value for money travel insurance Thailand – EVERYTHING HERE

Technically no. Travel insurance is not required for Thailand.

Many backpackers in Thailand enter without it, so you are not expected to show proof of purchase at immigration.

So when you're weighing treks in Chiang Mai and rooftop bars in Bangkok, you might consider shrugging off Thailand travel insurance.

But what if you have a trekking accident or end up losing your smartphone at the Sky Bar? That Bangkok travel insurance will be your new best friend.

→ The best time to visit Thailand – 2022 Guide

In general, Thailand is a fairly safe country for travelers, although it is not without its dangers. Violence against tourists is rare, but muggings are still reported.

Although it is unlikely that you will be involved in any political turmoil, unfortunately, Thailand is not without turmoil.

As in all major travel hubs, pickpockets are common. There is a risk of contracting a tropical disease.

And, above all, if you are thinking of speeding up a motorcycle, keep in mind that accidents are frequent in Thailand and can be fatal.

In 2022, motorcycles represented up to 70% of fatal collisions.

Even if you are just a passenger, Thailand vacation insurance can have you covered.

After all, Thailand is an amazing country with lots of exciting things to do. We encourage all travelers to consider investing in Thailand travel insurance.

This way, you can try all the exciting things this country has to offer with peace of mind.

Do you need more convincing? Check out these other reasons why you should have travel insurance

Healthcare in Thailand, best value for money travel insurance in Thailand

If you do get into trouble, healthcare in Thailand is some of the best in the world; the sixth best to be exact.

It's so good, in fact, that Bangkok has become one of the hot spots for medical, cosmetic and dental tourism. Not that your Bangkok travel insurance will cover you for a new nose, we're afraid.

Thailand's health service has three levels. Appointments are the most expensive, and you can expect to be seen quickly in the private sector, where the facilities are of the highest standard.

Government-funded health care is provided by the Ministry of Public Health. These services are reliable, but they can be very busy.

The rates are lower than those of private healthcare. There are non-profit health organizations that help underprivileged Thais.

Keep in mind that most Thai doctors are specialists in their field, so some tourists may find it difficult to find a suitable doctor for minor ailments.

English-speaking doctors can be found throughout the country, especially in popular tourist destinations such as major cities and the Thai islands.

→ Is Thailand expensive? (Learn how to save money in 2022)

Costs vary depending on the level of treatment you need and the hospital you visit. Healthcare in Thailand is considerably cheaper than in the West.

All hospitals and clinics set their own rates, which will be provided on request.

Normally, a Consultation with a Thai doctor it will cost you between 500 and 1,000 baht (between 15 and 30 $). Other fees apply for treatment, laboratory tests and prescription drugs.

Please note that prescription drugs are more expensive at the hospital pharmacy. Look for cheaper drugs in your area.

Travel insurance for visitors to Thailand should cover medical expenses. Always check that the hospital accepts travel insurance and check that your Thailand travel insurance allows you to choose your own facility.

Remember that if you plan to stray from the banana pancake route, healthcare may be more basic.

crime in thailand

Violent crime against tourists in Thailand is very rare.

These cases are more likely to occur at night, so be careful when partying or returning to your hostel late at night, especially if you are alone.

Travelers should be careful after drinking and late at night, as sexual assaults are more frequently reported after the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan.

It is not uncommon for travelers to fall victim to pickpockets or petty theft in Thailand. Thefts often occur when valuables are left unattended or displayed on the street as easy loot.

Thai thieves aren't known for being troublesome, so muggings are rare, but they can still happen.

It's not unheard of for a wily motorcyclist to steal a smartphone while passing an unsuspecting backpacker. So again, keep your valuables safe. Pick up a "go bag" on Khao San Road.

You must be especially careful in beach bars, markets, public transport and areas with a large tourist influx.

→ Is it safe to travel to Thailand in 2022?

In its day, night buses in Thailand had a shady reputation for theft. Today, thefts are less frequent, but they still happen. Keep your valuables safe on your person.

Consider which is the best insurance for Thailand if you intend to travel by night transport regularly.

Most hotels and hostels in Thailand have 24-hour reception, CCTV, and often have lockers.

However, cheaper dormitories are likely to have less security.

Traveler problems in Thailand

We can dwell all day on the wonders of Thailand. But instead, we want to draw your attention to the main problems facing explorers in Thailand. Namely:

• Theft of personal property – Smartphones, laptops and expensive cameras attract the eyes of thieves. It's also very easy to drop your phone off the side of your seat during your island cruise or lose it at a party.
• motorcycle accidents – One of the best ways to travel around Thailand is by motorcycle. It is also one of the best ways to end up in the ER in Thailand. Even the most competent motorcyclist can be caught off guard by inclement weather or less skilled drivers. Before taking out travel insurance in Thailand, make sure you have the proper license to cover you in the event of an accident.
• Tropical diseases – Dengue is endemic in Thailand. It can usually be treated in the same way as the flu, but this illness can become complicated and require hospitalization. Trust us, a week in a Thai hospital is going to cost you a lot more than that $5 for a dorm night.

When purchasing travel insurance for Thailand, we recommend that you check that your policy covers all of the above.

Common activities in Thailand

Where to start? In Thailand there are plenty of high-octane activities to choose from (we're not just talking about sitting in the back of a tuk-tuk in Bangkok).

Depending on what you like, make sure your Thailand travel insurance covers the following activities:

• rent a motorbike – We have already said it, but we repeat it: the cheapest travel insurance to Thailand may not include a clause on motorcycles. Make sure you are covered with the correct license and check whether or not your insurance covers damage to the vehicle.
• Hiking – Whether in the mountainous north or while chasing waterfalls in one of the country's glorious national parks such as Khao Sok, hiking in Thailand is something you should definitely try. But if you turn your ankle and need to call a helicopter to the nearest emergency room, you might want to check that you're covered.
• Rock climbing – We are looking at you, Tonsai. Tonsai beach is famous for its rock climbing, so if you fancy being taught the ropes, make sure your Krabi travel insurance covers you.
• Dive – If you have your heart set on finding Nemo, make sure your Ko Tao travel insurance covers your underwater activities before you take that long stride off the boat.
• And a note about full moon parties – the hedonistic rite of passage for backpackers is to attend one of these monthly soirees. But remember, before you drop your inhibitions (and your passport) for a dip in the moonlit ocean, thieves may be prowling the sand. Check that your valuables are covered in your Thailand travel insurance.

Most Thailand travel insurance policies include the following

• Emergency medical expenses due to accident and illness
• Luggage and personal property
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation
• Non-medical emergency evacuation
• trip cancellation
• trip interruption

Here are some key terms to look out for when comparing different insurance policies. Now, let's take a closer look at each of them to see what they really mean.

Emergency medical expenses due to accident and illness

Coverage for emergency medical expenses is the most important aspect of most travel insurance policies.

If you're in an accident or become very ill with a mysterious illness, you'll want to rest easy knowing that your medical bills and hospital bills will be taken care of.

Many of you have never seen a medical bill. Good. But let me tell you, they can get very expensive very easily. Broke Backpacker founder Will Hatton was once billed $10,000 in Costa Rica. Even 2 days in a Thai hospital cost him almost $2,000 (That boy is out of luck.).

Pre-existing health and medical conditions may not be covered or may be covered at an additional premium.

Ideally, emergency medical insurance for accident and illness offers at least $100,000 coverage. Some run into the millions.

Luggage and personal property

Baggage and personal belongings coverage covers the value of your personal assets. Its most common application is for lost luggage, yet many policies also extend it to cover theft 'on the ground', which is useful if you are robbed once you arrive at your destination.

Limits vary by policy. However, the maximum value rarely exceeds $1,000, with a maximum value of items between -250 and $500.

This is fine for many travelers. However, if you are traveling with a lot of electrical equipment (laptop and camera), or if you are carrying ski equipment, you may want to consider purchasing a separate case for your equipment.

Emergency evacuation and repatriation

emergency evacuation covers the cost of sending you to your home country on a sick bed.

Suppose the disease mentioned is unpleasant, and it is decided to send you home for further treatment; this will take care of the high costs of sending you home by plane with tubes stuck in your arms.

Repatriation it is the cost of sending your body home in the unlikely event that you die on your journey. The costs of this are usually very high.

Repatriation costs are not a burden I would like to leave on my family. Although this is thankfully rare, I sometimes come across campaigns on Facebook or "Go Fund Me" to get someone's body flown home.

Non-medical emergency evacuation

Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation is when you have to be evacuated from your destination due to some unexpected crisis.

Examples of this may be outbreaks of war or civil unrest and earthquakes that decimate infrastructure, such as the one in Nepal.

In more recent times, the Corona COVID-19 outbreak created the largest international emergency evacuation situation in history. (FYI, it's spread across the boundaries of medical and non-medical evacuation).

Emergency evacuation insurance covers the costs of having to book a last minute flight home (which can be very expensive) and will also cover accommodation costs if they end up flying to a random “safe” country instead of going straight home.

trip cancellation

Having to cancel a trip that you were looking forward to is heartbreaking. Running out of money, however, only adds insult to injury.

Trip cancellation coverage can help you recover the non-refundable expenses of your trip, such as flight and hotel costs.

Obviously, you can't claim it simply because you changed your mind about the trip or broke up with your girlfriend. Legitimate reasons for cancellation are things like illness, family emergencies, bereavement, natural disasters, and war.

trip interruption

Trip interruption occurs when something goes wrong, or interrupts, your trip leaving you penniless. An example, when your prepaid hotel burns down and you are forced to book another.

Another example is when your flight back home is canceled and you need a few extra nights in your hotel.

Anything else?
The above is what we consider the most basic of travel insurance policies. However, some policies offer a few more features. The best travel insurance policies for Thailand may also include the following;

Sports and adventure activities

Adventure sports and activities are not covered by all travel insurance policies. The definition of adventure sports and activities actually varies between providers, but for example can include;

• Hiking
• Canoeing
• Martial Arts
• bungee jumping
• Dive
• Informal basketball games….

If you're thinking of doing something physical or outdoors on your trip, it's very smart to check that your insurance provider covers it. Broken bones often hurt enough that you have to pay high medical bills.

accidental death and dismemberment

This is perhaps a bit macabre. It does not cover any expenses related to the trip as such, but basically provides you (or your family members) with monetary compensation in case something happens to you.

If you die, your loved ones receive compensation. Or, if you lose a toe or something, YOU get paid.

→ Cost of living in Thailand – Moving to Thailand in 2022

It's like having a bit of life coverage attached to your travel insurance.

«Well my dear, I'm afraid there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that our dear daughter little Jenny has died on her trip to Thailand. The good news is that we received $10,000! Thailand here we come!»

Gear and electronics cover

Some insurance policies cover electronic devices, but others do not. Those that do sometimes charge an additional fee and also often limit the maximum value of the item.

If you're only traveling with a phone or tablet, it's quite possible that your travel insurer will cover it in full.

However, if, like us, you travel with a decent laptop and camera, you may want to consider getting equipment coverage.

Personally, I've had separate coverage for my MacBook Pro gadgets for years.

Although they all seem the same, not all insurers are. Some insurers offer lower prices than others and others offer higher coverage amounts.

Some are known for not paying claims, while others are known for being fair and helpful.

Travel insurers: always the same, but always different. It is not possible (or legal) for us to say that any of them is the best, or is "better" than the others. No.

Insurance is a very complex product and any policy takes into account a lot of data and a wide set of variables.

Guide to Teaching English in Thailand [2022]

Remember that the “best” travel insurance always depends on where you are going, when you are going and, ultimately, on you and your needs. The best travel insurer for one trip may not be the best for a different trip.

Here are just a few of the many travel insurance providers on offer. They are all companies that we have used ourselves over the years.

Columbus Direct

Named after one of the greatest (and most controversial) explorers in history, Columbus Direct also specializes in insuring adventurous explorers like us. They have been offering award-winning insurance for 30 years.

What we like about this plan is that it covers small amounts of personal money. However, Gadget Coverage not available.

Columbus Direct actually offers several different travel insurance plans. Below we have focused on one of them and we have established the amounts of coverage of the Trotamundos plan.

If you need more information or want to get a quote, you can visit the website by yourself.

nomads of the world

World Nomads has been insuring backpackers for years. World Nomads specializes in backpacker travel insurance, and their policies cover long-distance, one-way tickets, multi-country trips, and plenty of adventure activities.

These guys are very used to dealing with backpackers like us, and are regularly recommended by travel bloggers and industry insiders. We love them.

→ Top 13 places to visit in Thailand in 2022

They offer 2 different policies depending on your needs. The Standard Plan is standard and the Explorer Plan covers a whole host of fun and high risk activities.

Also, World Nomads is one of the few travel insurers that writes you a policy after you start your trip. The only drawback for us is that they do not cover Pakistan.

Let's take a look at the maximum coverage amounts with the Standard and Explorer plans.

If you want more information or request a quote, visit the World Nomads website and take a look.

Iati Insurance

Iati Seguros is a Spain-based travel insurance company that we have personally used and loved. You will find that they offer competitive cover amounts for key areas of travel insurance, and that they are competitively priced. So far we have only heard good things about them.

They also offer several, but we have focused on the Standard Plan, although we encourage you to check out all the plans for yourself to identify the best one for your needs.

Standard Plan

If you need more information or want to get a quote, you can visit the website by yourself.

SafetyWing

SafetyWing is a relatively new company in the travel insurance industry, but it is already making waves. They are specialized in coverage for digital nomads and offer open coverage through a monthly subscription.

Since they mainly cover digital nomads, they don't offer much in the way of trip cancellation or delay, so keep that in mind.

However, SafetyWing really excels in the health aspect of travel insurance, as it covers dental expenses and some complementary treatments. In fact, they even allow small children to be covered for free.

If cancellations and delays are not a concern for you, or if you are going to spend a considerable amount of time on your trip, then SafetyWing might be right for you.

If you need more information or want to get a quote, you can visit the website by yourself.

insure my equipment

insuremyequipment.com It does exactly what its name suggests. It is an online insurer for expensive equipment (such as photographic equipment and golf clubs).

You can use it to insure certain equipment, but keep in mind that this policy is only for your specified equipment.

An Insure My Equipment policy works well in combination with other travel insurance.

“Insure My Gear” policies are a great option for professionals and backpackers with $$0000+ camera gear, expensive laptops, or fishing rods.

I also know quite a few traveling musicians and DJs who use these guys, so you're in good company.

Choosing the right travel insurance for your holiday in Thailand is like choosing a pair of shoes. Only you can really say how good they fit you, and how many kilometers you can do with them.

To decide which is the right insurer for you, you have to add the value of your trip, the amount of equipment you plan to take with you and the activities you plan to do.

You also have to ask yourself how much you can afford. This means how much you can afford to pay for coverage, but also how much you can afford to pay out of pocket in the unlikely event of an incident.

Sometimes the cheapest Thailand travel insurance will suffice and other times it will be worth spending a little more.

Hopefully the information provided in this post helps you decide. If not, I think I've wasted 7 hours of my life writing it.

Final Thoughts on Thailand Travel Insurance

Are you still up? We know that travel insurance is not the most insane topic to think about when planning your next trip, but it is necessary.

And in a place as crazy as Thailand, it helps to know what to expect if an emergency or medical situation occurs.

We hope this guide has helped you find the most suitable -or at least the cheapest- travel insurance for your needs.

If you want to discover the best travel insurance in Colombia read this article.

Now you can focus on researching the best Thai island and finding (ethical) elephant sanctuaries. Once you've found the best insurance for Thailand, check out some of our travel guides to the Land of Smiles.

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