Travel to Thailand: A Complete Guide in Getting Health Insurance

Many people want to know about Thailand's travel medical insurance. Because who doesn't? As anyone traveling to Thailand is recommended to purchase travel health insurance, it's better to know all you need about it, including requirements, costs, and coverage options.

Acquiring travel insurance, especially travel medical insurance, can be valuable. This is mainly because the health insurance plan provided by your home country may offer limited or no coverage when traveling abroad. For instance, in the case of Thailand, Medicare is not recognized. As such, travel medical insurance is crucial for medical attention, medication, medical exams, and other related services in the event of illness or injury during your trip.

Traveling to Thailand will be an experience to remember lifelong for people who love to travel. What's essential is to make sure you have your travel medical insurance before you plan for travel. So, today, I will share everything you need to learn and understand about Thailand's travel medical insurance.

Travel Medical Insurance for Thailand

Acquiring travel medical insurance when visiting Thailand is a wise decision and a crucial consideration for several reasons. Although hospital treatment may not be excessively costly, it is reassuring to know that Thai doctors are highly competent if medical assistance is required. Nevertheless, expensive inpatient treatments such as surgery or cancer treatments at high-end hospitals can be financially draining and add considerable stress to your finances. Therefore, obtaining travel medical insurance is highly recommended to alleviate the burden of unforeseen medical expenses and ensure a worry-free and enjoyable trip.

Everyone traveling to Thailand is recommended to have travel health insurance. And also, a number of retired expats now may need to show health insurance documentation to be eligible for their yearly retirement extensions. Accordingly, you must consider the key points you need to know about Thailand travel medical insurance.

Due to the increasing number of accidents involving tourists in Thailand for years, the Thai government has been planning on issuing a law requiring foreigners to at least obtain travel insurance before entering Thailand to comply with entry regulations and ensure adequate medical coverage.

(COVID-19 WAVE) Thailand Travel Insurance Requirements

Although Thailand Travel Insurance is no longer required when entering Thailand, it is still essential for every traveler to know the previous requirements for reference in the future; incredibly how strict a country can get to prevent any health damage some foreigners might bring to the country.

Below are some of the requirements during the COVID-19 era:

• Travelers must provide evidence of having at least $100,000 in coverage for COVID medical and quarantine expenses for the duration of their stay in Thailand if they contract the virus while in the country. This requirement is in place to ensure that visitors have access to necessary medical care and quarantine facilities without incurring significant financial burdens in the event of a COVID-19 infection.
• Travelers must obtain a Certificate of Entry from Thailand's embassy. This involves completing an online form and submitting the necessary documents. One of the documents required is proof of medical insurance coverage, which must be included when applying for the certificate. This requirement ensures that visitors have adequate medical coverage while in Thailand and are prepared for any unforeseen circumstances related to COVID-19.
• Travelers to Thailand are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result issued no more than 72 hours before they arrive in the country. This requirement ensures that visitors are not carrying the virus into Thailand and helps to maintain the safety and well-being of the local community. It is essential that travelers comply with this requirement to avoid any inconvenience during their trip to Thailand.
• Travelers to Thailand must have travel insurance covering at least $100,000 for accidents or sudden illnesses, including COVID-19. This coverage is crucial in case of unexpected medical expenses, ensuring that visitors receive the necessary medical attention without incurring a financial burden. Adhering to this requirement is vital for travelers to have peace of mind during their trip to Thailand and to comply with the government's entry regulations.
• Ensure the policy covers at least $100,000 for accidents or sudden illnesses, including COVID-19. The coverage must include in-patient and out-patient treatments, medication, hospitalization, and emergency transportation. This ensures visitors can access comprehensive medical care during their stay and avoids unexpected expenses.
• Must cover the entire trip duration to ensure complete coverage of any medical emergencies that may arise.
• All Thailand travel insurance policies must explicitly state that they cover medical care claims due to COVID-19.
• Ensure that the Thai travel health insurance policy meets the minimum coverage requirements. If the policy does not fulfill the requirements, the embassy will reject it, and the visa application will be denied. Additionally, travelers will not be permitted to enter the country without complying with the necessary insurance regulations.

Pay Attention 

When purchasing travel medical insurance for Thailand, it is crucial to read the policy rules carefully, including the fine print and sub-clauses, to understand the coverage and avoid unexpected bills. By comparing different plans, travelers can choose the best policy that meets their needs.

Where Can I Get Travel Insurance When Visiting Thailand?

The best way to request your Thai travel health insurance is online, one of the most convenient methods for all travelers. If not, you can get travel insurance for Thailand from most local travel insurance companies.

Different comparison websites act as brokers between travel insurance companies and clients. You can compare travel insurance plans from different companies through these websites and select the best one. Then you can purchase the policy online, follow the instructions, and you are good to go.

If you are traveling for an organized tour, your travel agency may offer you travel insurance as part of the package deal. In these cases, although convenient, purchasing the travel insurance you’re being offered is not always recommended. Travel medical insurance for Thailand can be priced higher than expected and may not provide the desired coverage, leading to discomfort during travel.

Carefully reviewing the policy is recommended, and if satisfied with the coverage, travelers should proceed with the purchase of the insurance policy. However, if the policy does not meet the desired coverage requirements, travelers should seek an alternative insurance policy that better suits their needs.

 Quick Trivia! 

In 2020, during the COVID-19 era, every traveler visiting Thailand should have a minimum of USD 100,000 travel health insurance covering the entire stay.

Ways to Obtain Travel Insurance for Thailand

To obtain a travel insurance plan for Thailand, visit an insurance company's website or a comparison marketplace. Then, go through the available travel insurance policies. There should be several options if you are on a specific company's website.

• Compare policies to decide which one to purchase.
• Carefully read the policy details to comprehend the coverage, deductible, and potential issues.
• Complete the travel insurance form with travel dates and desired coverage.
• Pay the fee based on the duration of your stay.
• Download the insurance certificate once the payment is completed.

Best Time to Get Travel Insurance in Thailand

You should get travel health insurance once you make the first deposits on your trip to Thailand or buy a flight ticket. Purchasing travel insurance at least two weeks before travel is recommended to have full coverage for trip cancellation or delayed flights.

It is important to note that some insurance companies may not accept claims for cancellation if you purchase travel insurance less than two weeks in advance. It's also recommended to purchase travel insurance earlier to ensure maximum coverage. Some insurance companies may not accept claims for cancellation if the policy was purchased less than two weeks in advance.

Acquiring Travel Health Insurance After Booking a Thailand Flight

Purchasing travel insurance when you make the first payment for your trip is recommended to ensure coverage for trip-related disturbances like a cancellation. If you purchase insurance too late and need to cancel your trip, you may lose all the down payments you have made so far.

Claiming Travel Health Insurance in Thailand 

To file a travel insurance claim, promptly contact your insurance company and find out what documents are needed. Delaying your claim can result in denial, so act fast. Make sure to save all receipts and evidence to prove the legitimacy of your claim.

Documents 

• Medical receipts and hospital bills in case of an accident or illness.
• Police report with the dates stated in case of stolen belongings.
• The receipts for food, transport, and accommodation in case your flight is delayed.

Activities and Insurance 

You must remember that travel health insurance coverage does not include all activities. Most Thailand travel insurance plans cover medical emergencies related to a sudden illness or an accident. However, if the accident resulted from your fault or activity considered “high risk,” you must cover the medical treatment costs yourself.

Travel insurance companies usually have a list of activities they cover and exclusions. This will depend on the specific plan, but swimming, kayaking, trekking, and surfing are always covered. On the other hand, scuba diving, rock climbing, sailing, white water rafting, or bungee jumping, which have a higher risk, are usually only covered under certain circumstances and will cost more.

So, the best way to know what activities are covered in your insurance policy for Thailand is to read it carefully. In most cases, you can purchase extra coverage for some activities, but it will naturally cost more.

What Coverage Will Travel Insurance for Thailand include?

• Medical emergencies. 
• Trip cancellation or interruption.
• Theft, loss, damage of possessions. 
• Emergency evacuation or repatriation.
• Optional travel insurance coverage 

Cost of Thai Travel Health Insurance 

Travel insurance costs depend on factors like age, length of trip, where you have purchased it, and just how much coverage you want. In most cases, you can expect to pay about 4% to 10% of your overall trip costs in travel insurance.

Healthcare in Thailand is of excellent quality, so if you find yourself in a medical emergency, you should rest assured that you will be well taken care of. Thailand's private and public healthcare system provides universal healthcare to all Thai nationals. Tourists will have to pay the cost of treatment themselves or through travel health insurance.

The public healthcare system in Thailand has qualified doctors, but the hospitals are known for long waiting times and lower-quality medical equipment than the private sector. Private healthcare, on the other hand, is of equally excellent quality and better equipped. They are expensive, however, and will often require you to show proof of funding or travel insurance before you receive treatment.

In conclusion, if you're planning to travel to Thailand or any other country,  the first thing you should try is reading and knowing about travel health insurance, which is recommended during your visit. Make wise decisions and enjoy your holiday trip worry-free.

 Vocabulary Time!

Broker
: an individual who trades commodities or assets on behalf of others or facilitates and bargains an agreement

Clause
: a set of words that includes a subject and a predicate and functioning as a complex or compound sentence member

Embassy
: the official residence or offices of an ambassador OR a deputation or mission sent by one ruler or state to another

Healthcare
: efforts that medical professionals make to restore our physical and mental well-being

Prescription
: a written order from a healthcare professional, typically a licensed physician, that authorizes a patient to obtain medication or treatment for a specific medical condition