Thai Travel Insurance

Insurance for COVID-19 – Online solution for short term visitors requiring insurance for Thailand

by

Introducing an online solution for short term visitors needing COVID-19 insurance for Thailand.  Luma Thailand Pass meets the government requirements for the Certificate of Entry to Thailand with overall coverage of 100,000 USD including cover for Covid-19.

This plan has been approved by the Office of Insurance Thailand (OIC) and is ideal for short term visitors such as medical tourists, trade fair participants and foreign film crews who are expected to be approved for entry by Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) within the next few days. This plan is also suitable for tourists coming from surrounding countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. It will also be an excellent option for visitors from western countries as soon as travel bans are lifted. 

Prices start at 4,500 THB for 3 months coverage (persons aged 1-75 years)

LUMA Thailand Pass Brochure Header

Is it possible to buy this insurance for COVID-19 online?

Absolutely buying this policy online is easy.  Simply click the following link and follow the instructions. thaitravelinsurance.com

SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PROCEEDING

Before proceeding you should know that this is travel Insurance for short term visitors to Thailand.  It has been designed for visitors who have no intention of extending their stay beyond the length of their term visa.
Like most other travel insurance policies this Insurance is based on pay and claim.  Should you seek treatment in a hospital – you will need to pay all hospitals bills yourself – then claim back later when you return to your home country.

While the Luma Travel Pass includes coverage for COVID-19, accidents, and other illnesses it does NOT provide cover for motorcycle accidents or room and board in a private hospital over 10.000 THB/day.  The plan is also restricted to persons aged 1 – 75 years and is non-extendable while you remain in Thailand.

If you have no intention of extending your stay and believe the Luma Travel Pass is a suitable plan for your situation then follow this link for instructions on how to obtain your travel pass. You are advised to read the terms and conditions contained on the website link carefully.  While the Luma Thailand Travel Pass is a great option for many short term visitors there are limitations on refunds and other parts of the policy which do not apply to full medical insurance plans.

If you are a foreigner living or working in Thailand or are returning to the kingdom for work on a non-immigrant “B” visa, or on any kind of renewable non-mmigrant “O” marriage or retirement visa then you are advised to purchase full medical insurance through an approved provider.  Travel Insurance should be an addition to coverage not an alternative to a full comprehensive medical plan.

Thai Expat Health offers insurance from reputable companies that offer superior levels of customer service and claims support. In most cases, your insurance application can be approved in less than 7-10 days and coverage can begin as soon as payment is received.

Contact us if you need additional information or have any further questions regarding full medical insurance. thaiexpathealth.com

Links
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30391749 – Four types of foreigners to be allowed to enter Thailand: CCSA

Where to get a Certificate of Health Insurance to enter Thailand

by

Three of the most common questions received from foreigners over the past few weeks are:

  • When can I fly back to Thailand (mainly from retirees)?
  • How can I get a certificate of health insurance to enter Thailand?
  • Can spouses of Thai citizens fly back into Thailand?

 On 14th June 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the next group to be allowed to enter Thailand are those married to Thai nationals and those who hold permanent residency (holding PR status).  Spouses will soon be able to fly back under the same conditions as work permit holders (with 100,000 USD valid medical insurance and 14-day quarantine). The expected date is some time in July next month. While it is still not known when foreigners holding retirement visas will be permitted back into the kingdom it is likely that the requirement to produce a certificate showing a valid health insurance policy will remain for some time. 

Thai Consulates in overseas countries are considering requests on a case by case nature.  No-one can be sure how long these requirements will be in force but measures are being strictly enforced and unless you have an urgent need to return you are best advised to delay your travel plans until these restrictions are lifted.  Many expats (including retirees) want to know when flights to Thailand will return to normal and what to do about the Health Insurance requirement for entry. Again, “wait and see” is most likely the best approach here. 

The above diagram is provided should you be married to a Thai national and/or have an urgent need to return. Your first point of call is to contact the Royal Thai Embassy / Consulate-General in your country to see if you qualify. Having met the criteria for entry you’ll be invited to apply for a “Certificate of Entry”. In order to obtain this certificate, you’ll be asked to obtain a valid health insurance policy covering all medical expenses including COVID-19 and worth at least 100,000 USD.  You’ll also be able to go ahead and confirm your flight and book a room for the 14-day quarantine at a government-designated facility.   The process is detailed quite well on the above diagram provided by the Thai Department of International Economic Affairs.  It is also important to obtain a “Fit to Fly Health Certificate” signed by a doctor in your home country not more than 72 hours before your departure (confirming you are free from the coronavirus).  Without a 100,000 USD health insurance policy which includes coverage for COVID-19 and the “Fit to Fly” Certificate you will be not be permitted to enter the kingdom.

The insurance requirement is slightly different for Thai’s but the requirement to quarantine for 14 days after arrival in Thailand at a government-operated facility (at the traveler’s expense) is the same for both Thai nationals and foreigners.  Travelers need to be aware that the cost of this 14-day quarantine can be anywhere from 30,000 THB to 60,000 THB (depending on the facility you opt for) so you will need to factor this into the overall cost of your return.

Please be aware that the process of applying for and obtaining full medical insurance can take anywhere from 7-10 days.  We are happy to advise all foreigners regardless of age but please note that persons under 65 years can generally obtain health insurance at a reasonable cost whereas the cost of health insurance for persons over 70 years can be prohibitively expensive.  It is also worth mentioning that having cover simply for COVID-19 is insufficient. The coverage needs to be a 100,000 USD health insurance policy which includes coverage for the Coronavirus. 

Please contact Thai Expat Club / Health if you have any questions or require a certificate of insurance to meet the Thai government’s entry requirement (covering all medical expenses including COVID-19 and worth at least 100,000 USD).

Website: thaiexpathealth.com/

Additional Links:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1882315/health-certificates-required-of-all-visitorshttps://www.thaiembassy.com/travel/can-you-enter-thailand-now-during-the-covid-19-crisis.php

https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel/can-you-enter-thailand-now-during-the-covid-19-crisis.php

Health insurance for retirees in Thailand

by

So you’ve made the decision to retire in Thailand and want to know your options regarding medical insurance.  You’ll be pleased to know that Thailand offers extremely high standards of medical care and is equipped to deliver even the most complex procedures.  However, in order to access these quality health care services you’ll need private health insurance.

The good news is the costs are about half the amount you might pay for equivalent medical insurance in America, Australia or the UK.  There are also a range of options for health insurance plans starting with accident insurance for a mere $100 a year up to medical insurance with a full range of benefits at around $6,000 per year. Most of these health insurance policies are also international, meaning that your cover extends to overseas travel or travel back to your home country one to two months a year when you feel the need to return to catch up with family or friends.

Whilst health insurance for retirees is relatively affordable in Thailand it’s important to understand the restrictions insurance companies place on the starting age.  For example, people enrolling with Bupa before 60 or younger are guaranteed renewal for life and those enrolling between the ages 61 and 64 will be renewed to age 70.  If you are 65 yrs and miss the cut-off age for Bupa we offer options with our other insurance providers (LMG and NZI).   You can choose to include a deductible (meaning you pay any medical bills up to an agreed amount) which helps to offset the cost of the premium.  There are also discounts each year should you remain claim free in the previous 12 months which also helps offset your annual premium considerably.  However, it’s best to start your insurance before 70 years of age to keep premiums down.  It’s even better if you can start before 60 years of age to ensure any treatment or conditions you encounter in your 60’s (while you are insured) continue to be covered by insurance as you enter your 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

While none of our providers require a medical examination in order to take insurance they may sometimes require a medical history in cases of people applying over 65 yrs of age.  Conditions such as Diabetes and Hypertension that can be controlled, but not cured are considered “pre-existing conditions” and will not be covered, just as they would not be covered by a private insurance provider in your home country.  However, cases of acute medical treatment which occurred more than 5 years ago will generally be okay.

Thai Expat Club offers access to affordable health and medical insurance for foreigners living, visiting, working or retiring in Thailand.  We deal almost exclusively with Bupa, LMG and NZI for a higher range of benefits at affordable prices.  We help clients avoid the confusion which comes from not being able to speak the language or communicate satisfactory with staff in Thai Insurance Companies.   Our service is FREE and we often save people money by offering a plan which is more closely matched to their lifestyle and budget.

Contact Thai Expat Club today and let us help you with your health insurance requirements.

Tel. 089-897-9437 or visit our website:   thaiexpathealth.com

Useful Links

Medical Insurance in Thailand

http://www.thailand-retirement.net/health-insurance-in-thailand.html

Hash tags
#healthinsuranceThailand #medicalinsuranceThailand #retirees #healthinsuranceforretirees

How much does it cost to stay in a private hospital in Thailand?

by

One of the most important things to know when seeking health insurance is how much it costs for a private room in a Thai private Hospital should you find yourself in need of overnight treatment or long term hospitalisation.   The information is important because it relates directly to the level of coverage a customer needs to purchase.  No-one wants to land up in hospital and find they have insufficient means to cover daily room, board and nursing fees.  Having some knowledge of this will help guide you in your decision as to what level of coverage you should have versus the premium you can afford or feel comfortable with.

The following with give you some idea of what you might expect to pay for a private room in various hospitals throughout Thailand (prices given are for daily room, board, nursing charge and Thai food).   Should you choose treatment in one of the better known international hospitals like Bumrungrad (11,200 thb), Bangkok Nursing Home (8,650 thb), Samitivej Sukhumvit (7,040 thb) or Bangkok General Hospital (7,590 thb) then you will pay significantly more than if you are admitted to one of the smaller hospitals like the Payathai group (5,685 thb), St Louis (4,500 thb), Vibhavadi (4,100 thb) or Bangkok Christian hospital (3,950 thb).  You will also find the room and board charges at hospitals outside Bangkok such as Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (4,200), Pattaya International Hospital (5,000 thb), Bangkok Hospital Phuket (4,000 thb), Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai (3,870 – promotion) and Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin (6,240) significantly less than the cost of staying in at their partner hospitals in the capital.  All these hospitals have English speaking staff and are considered to offer high quality hospital care.

It really does pay to ask your agent or do you own research before making a decision. Having insurance obviously makes things easier and you will generally find hospitals quite accommodating.  However, having some knowledge of the minimum cost of care will help you in your decision making and ensure you are not in for a nasty surprise in the unfortunate event you are hospitalised or find yourself admitted overnight.

*Note:  Hospital charges accurate as of March 2016 and are subject to change as well as hospital discounts or promotions

Thai Expat Club offers access to affordable health and medical insurance for foreigners living, visiting or working in Thailand. We deal almost exclusively with Bupa and NZI for a higher range of benefits at affordable prices. We help clients avoid the confusion which comes from not being able to speak the language or communicate satisfactory with staff in Thai Insurance Companies. Our service is FREE and we often save people money by offering a plan which is more closely matched to their lifestyle and budget.

Contact Thai Expat Club today and let us help you with your health insurance requirements.

Tel. 089-897-9437 or visit our website:

https://thaitravelinsurance.com/

Thailand local health insurance versus offshore health insurance

by

We’ve seen a lot of advertising in Thailand recently through social media and other sources by companies advertising global insurance cover at substantially higher prices.  These companies justify higher premiums by saying they have plans with higher overall limits, that their products are somehow better suited to expats or that they have the largest or the fastest growing insurance business in Asia. It is amazing how many people I come across accept these claims and pay higher premiums without questioning the validity of these statements.

The truth is that for 95% of expats living in Thailand, health coverage through a local Thai Insurance provider such as Bupa is a much better option than a policy through an offshore company.  Policies through local insurance companies are better tailored to expats living here, offer global products with higher levels or coverage and in most cases work out substantially cheaper.   The conduct of Thai Insurance companies and the products they offer also come under the scrutiny of the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC).  This means that should a grievance arise due to a rejection or a claim against an insurance company then there is an advocate available on hand to deal with it.  This may not be the situation in the case of a claim against an offshore insurance company which is based in another country and is not bound to operate under the governance of the OIC.

For the very small minority of expats who move countries regularly, an offshore plan might be a feasible solution.  It does save some time in having to identify an insurance provider in each new country of residence and complete a new application each time.  However, for the vast majority of foreigners in Thailand, taking insurance through a local insurance company saves you money, and means you can easily deal directly by phone or in person with your agent or your insurance company when and if you need to.   This is much more preferable than being restricted to email, letter or 3rd party help lines to settle grievances through an offshore company selling insurance products from an address in another country

Thai Expat Club offers access to affordable health and medical insurance for foreigners living, visiting or working in Thailand. We deal almost exclusively with Bupa and NZI for a higher range of benefits at affordable prices. We help clients avoid the confusion which comes from not being able to speak the language or communicate satisfactory with staff in Thai Insurance Companies. Our service is FREE and we often save people money by offering a plan which is more closely matched to their lifestyle and budget.

Contact Thai Expat Club today and let us help you with your health insurance requirements.

 

Tel. 089-897-9437 or visit our website:

https://thaitravelinsurance.com/

 

References

Why medical insurance in Thailand is a priority!

by

Just about everyone in Bangkok has heard the story of Tatiana Vorotilina , the 23 year old Ukraine tennis coach who in August 2015 suffered horrendous injuries in a motorcycle accident in Bangkok. Like so many other tourists and other expats living here she did not have medical or travel insurance and was forced to rely on the support of friends and the fundraising community to pay the one million baht or $30,000 bill which forced her out of the private hospital system to a public hospital with a 50/50 chance of losing her leg.

It may come as no surprise that Thailand is second only to Namibia in terms of road fatalities per 100,000 people, yet people visiting and living here still seem to ignore the risks thinking it will never happen to them. This is particularly disturbing considering medical insurance in Thailand is relatively affordable and access to high quality medical care is really only available to those who have adequate insurance or can provide evidence that they have the ability to pay.

Health insurance in Thailand is not something you can afford to leave until you get round to it. It is an absolute priority and it most concerning when clients quite openly put their next social gathering or trip to Pattaya ahead of meeting with an insurance agent to complete 10 minutes of paperwork. People risk not just their life savings but gamble a lifetime of disability failing to treat it as a priority.

The Australian embassy in Bangkok deals with a death or serious hospitalization case every 2 days. Consular offices here spend an inordinate amount of time visiting expats in hospital trying to solve problems which arise because the victim has been seriously injured, either with no medical insurance or travel insurance which does not cover them for accidents on motorcycles or jet skis.

Many people are still under the mistaken belief that medical care in Thailand is cheap or they don’t need insurance because they have adequate support through the government health system back home. Of course, that’s provided they can manage a flight back to their home country to access it. All of this is of course easily avoidable.

Thai Expat Club offers access to affordable health and medical insurance for foreigners living, visiting or working in Thailand. We deal almost exclusively with Bupa and NZI for a higher range of benefits at affordable prices. We help clients avoid the confusion which comes from not being able to speak the language or communicate satisfactory with staff in Thai Insurance Companies. Our service is FREE and we often save people money by offering a plan which is more closely matched to their lifestyle and budget.

Contact Thai Expat Club today and let us help you with your health insurance requirements.

Tel. 089-897-9437 or visit our website:
https://thaitravelinsurance.com/

Related stories

http://www.gofundme.com/SaveTatyanasLeg

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3212338/Nicole-Fitzsimons-killed-motorbike-accident-Koh-Samui-Thailand.html

https://youtu.be/MHu7JAcaSr0

Hash tags

#SaveTatyanasLeg #Donate #Donation #Giving #Charity #Money #Hospital #Bangkok #Thailand #NeedHelp #Tatyana #Medical #Treatment #Health insurance #Medical insurance #Insurance #LosingLeg #BrokenDream #Tourist #Foreigner #Backpacker #Travel #Support #Share #SocialMedia #Expat #Nicolefitzsimons

CONTACT INFORMATION

Thai Expat Club

P.O. Box 6, Prasarnmit Post Office
Khlong Toei Nuea, Bangkok 10114

Email: [email protected]
Sukhumvit Soi 23, Bangkok

YOUR INSURANCE PARTNERS

All policies and claims are underwritten by Tune Insurance Thailand – a leading provider of personal and commercial insurance services.

LINKS

OPEN HOURS

Monday/Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday: 9am – 2pm
Sunday: Off