👉 Jump to: Best Travel Insurance for Thailand | Requirements | Why Get Insurance | Safety | Tips | Methodology | FAQ
You may wish to get travel insurance for Thailand, though it is no longer a condition of entry for most tourist visas. In this guide, I’ll show you the sites I search when comparing quotes for Thailand travel insurance.
I am a recovering corporate insurance lawyer who now travels the world full time and blogs about it. I have spent months in Thailand, I always purchase comprehensive travel insurance to protect against as many as possible of the various risks involved in international travel during a pandemic.
I was glad I did after I contracted dengue on a trip to Thailand several years ago. I’ll continue to insure my future trips to Thailand even though medical insurance is no longer an entry requirement to the kingdom!
Disclaimers: We are not insurance brokers. This post is for informational purposes. It is not insurance advice. Links are affiliate links. Using them supports this independent blog. See our Advertising Policy.
Best Thailand Travel Insurance
⭐ My #1 Choice
A search engine that fetches quotes from hundreds of companies. Great for comparison shoppers who want to really dig into details!
- Compares hundreds of insurers in one click
- Easy to see customer reviews
- Filters to search for CFAR & Covid-19 coverages
4.9
Comparison Site
Can pull quotes for either travel medical insurance or trip insurance. Great if you only need one type of cover!
- Super easy to customize
- Often finds cheapest policies
- Choices may be overwhelming
4.7
For Digital Nomads
Affordable medical cover targeted at digital nomads who want recurring subscription-style coverage.
- Cheap monthly travel medical insurance for digital nomads
- Not full travel insurance (only medical)
4.4
TravelInsurance.com (#1 Overall)
#1 Comparison Site
Travel Insurance.com
4.7
This fantastic search engine fetches quotes from hundreds of insurance companies in just one minute. The intuitive interface is perfect for comparing policies & quotes.
Pros:
- Compares hundreds of insurers in one click
- Easy to see customer reviews
- Filters to search for CFAR & Covid-19 coverages
The first place I would search for travel insurance for Thailand is TravelInsurance.com. TravelInsurance.com is an online marketplace where you can get quotes from dozens (even hundreds) of insurance companies in a manner of minutes.
Some advantages of this site are its easy-to-use customer reviews, the handy filter options to narrow down your search, and the clearly-displayed coverage information. I like it because it makes it easy to quickly compare travel insurance policies for Thailand at a glance.
Of course, all that information can get a little overwhelming, which is one drawback of TravelInsurance.com. But, overall, I think it's the single best travel insurance site for Thailand.
VisitorsCoverage (Comparison Site)
Comparison Site
VisitorsCoverage
4.7
I love that VisitorsCoverage lets you compare quotes for either travel medical insurance or trip insurance. They are different things, so it's great if you only want one!
Pros:
- Super easy to customize your coverage in Thailand
- Quotes tend to be cheaper
Cons:
- So many options & choices may be overwhelming
In close second place is VisitorsCoverage, another travel insurance comparison site. VisitorsCoverage works similarly, with a few notable differences.
Most importantly, VisitorsCoverage lets you get a quote for either trip insurance or travel medical insurance for Thailand.
Trip insurance typically is handy if you're worried about travel delays or cancellations, while medical insurance is of course focused only on medical costs. If you only need the latter coverage, this may be the cheapest place to find Thailand travel insurance.
Genki (Digital Nomad Travel Insurance)
For Digital Nomads
Genki
4.5
Genki provides extremely affordable medical cover for longer stays. It's really targeted at digital nomads who want health cover as a recurring subscription.
Pros:
- Affordable monthly medical coverage
- Simple claims process
Cons:
- Only medical - not full travel insurance (no gear, theft, or trip delay coverages)
Thailand is a very popular destination for digital nomads, and Genki is a unique insurance product specifically targeted at nomads. I have personally used Genki for my most recent trip to Thailand, and so far have liked the service.
Genki works on a subscription basis and is intended to act more like long-term international health insurance for digital nomads and remote workers. It's basically health insurance for digital nomads specifically.
The one thing to note about Genki is that it is not "full" travel insurance. Genki does not sell coverage for trip cancellation, trip delay, or other travel-related risks. If having full travel insurance is important to you, you may need to pair it was a second Thailand trip insurance policy.
Another downside to Genki is that it is only available to those under the age of 50.
Insure My Trip (Comparison Site)
Best for Seniors 70+
Insure My Trip
3.9
This is the site that seems to return the most quotes for customers who can't find one elsewhere due to age or pre-existing conditions.
Pros:
- Usually finds quotes for seniors even when other sites won't offer anything past a certain age
- Also finds quotes for pre-existing conditions
Cons:
- No clearly displayed info about Covid coverages
- Clunky user experience
Insure My Trip is yet another site where you can quickly compare quotes for Thailand travel insurance. It tends to find more quotes for seniors, so if you are in that age bracket it may be a good place to search.
Aardy (Comparison Site)
Comparison Site
Aardy
3.8
Aardy is another search engine that compares quotes from many different insurers. I personally find it difficult to navigate, though.
Pros:
- Their "Best Price Guarantee" promises you won't find a lower quote
- Covid-19 coverages are clearly highlighted
Cons:
- You have to give them your email just to get a quote (very annoying!)
- Less user friendly
The last travel insurance comparison site I'd search is Aardy. It requires you to enter your email address to get a quote, which I don't like.
But I am a big fan of their clearly-displayed information about COVID-19 coverages. If you're traveling all the way to Thailand, there is obviously a lot of risk involved with getting COVID-19 at the wrong time. So it's nice that Aardy makes it easy to compare policies on this metric.
Thailand Travel Insurance Requirements
Thailand no longer requires insurance as a condition of entry for most visitors on tourist visas, though its rules have changed multiple times over the past years. Travelers should double check their specific policy to make sure it meets all the current requirements of entry to Thailand.
Moreover, just because something isn't required doesn't mean it's not a good idea. Traveling is still very risky these days, and there are several reasons why I personally will continue to buy insurance for my trips to Thailand.
Why I Get Travel Insurance in Thailand
Depending upon your specific policy, there are many benefits that travel insurers might provide.
Here's a quick rundown of the coverages I personally value when buying travel insurance (be sure to carefully check your own policy before buying anything):
- ✈️Trip Cancellation Protection - This a benefit that might cover you for non-refundable trip costs you've paid if you must cancel your trip to Thailand due to a circ*mstance covered under your plan. Note that most insurance providers have pretty strict exclusions around covid-related trip cancellation coverages, so you'll want to carefully read the terms of the policy and perhaps consider if you're comfortable with the risks involved in traveling to Thailand.
- 💉Emergency Medical Insurance - This is something I care a lot about after contracting dengue on my last visit to Thailand. If you are injured or get sick while traveling, you better hope you have coverage for hospitalization, out-patient treatment for medical emergencies, prescribed medicines, x-rays, lab tests, and all the costs that may add up.
- 🚗Rental Car or Scooter Protection - As discussed below, driving a scooter or motorcycle in Thailand is very common for tourists. Some insurance companies will cover accidents on scooters, but you'll need to very carefully read the terms of your specific provider. Usually, they will require that you are licensed for the vehicle you are driving (meaning you'll need to be properly licensed to drive a scooter in Thailand).
- 🚁Emergency Medical Evacuation - Emergency medical evacuation is a common travel insurance benefit that, where it applies, can include costs related to the transportation and medical services involved in an emergency evacuation.
- 💻Lost Luggage and Gear Theft Protection– One of the more common safety issues in Thailand is petty theft. Some travel insurance policies will provide protection against your bag being lost, or important items being stolen. Be sure to check policy limits closely because most have a hard cap on how much they will pay out for covered losses in this category..
- 📞24/7 Emergency Assistance– Thailand is in a very different time zone than the United States or Europe, so you'll want to make sure you are able to reach your insurer if and when you need to.
Again, that's just a very quick overview of the various reasons I choose to purchase comprehensive travel insurance for my trips to Thailand.
It's super important to note that coverages, conditions, and exclusions vary by insurance provider - so be sure to read carefully!
Travel Safety in Thailand
Generally, Thailand is very safe and crime rates are relatively low. But there are other things to consider, especially during a global pandemic.
Besides the risks associated with COVID-19, Thailand also does have some of the most dangerous roads in the world, which makes travel insurance for Thailand a smart choice, especially if your medical coverage won't cover you while on the Thai roads.
Let's break down some of the various safety considerations involved in travel to Thailand:
The Covid 19 Pandemic in Thailand
Early on in the pandemic, Thailand did a very good job of managing COVID-19, managing to keep the virus largely at bay while avoiding many of the lockdowns and strict restrictions which have happened in other countries.
Starting in April of 2021, however, Thailand started to experience a significant wave of infections. The government started to impose restrictions in many areas but indicated it intends to proceed with a plan to open to limited tourism via the island of phu*ket starting July 1, 2021.
In 2022, Thailand began a more complete re-opening. In October 2022, it dropped its requirements for vaccination or a negative for entry by most tourists. It also temporarily extended the length of stay allowed for tourists from the 64 "visa exemption" countries.
In January 2023, Thailand briefly re-instituted its entry requirements for vaccination, tests, and insurance. Within a matter of days, Thailand quickly did an about face after the changes caused chaos for many travelers.
Currently, there are again no entry requirements. But, as the incident this last month showed, that is subject to change in the future.
No matter what the rules are, COVID-19 still remains a significant risk to tourists and is a major reason I personally will still insure my future trips to Thailand.
Scooters in Thailand
Scooters or motorbikes are a great way to get around in Thailand. They give you the freedom to explore at your own pace, are super affordable and available for rent everywhere, and can be a blast to drive.
And scooters are also enormously dangerous. In fact, by some estimates, Thailand is number one or two in the world for motorcycle deaths!And the news gets worse because if you aren't properly licensed to drive, it's virtually certain that your travel insurance company won't cover you.
That's why before my latest trip to Thailand I took a motorcycle class in the United States before setting off to Thailand. I got my motorcycle endorsem*nt and then applied for an International Driving Permit, which makes me legal to drive here in Thailand.
Our Pick
Apply for an International Driving Permit
3.5
It takes less than 10 minutes to apply for an International Driving Permit. Essential for many countries like Thailand, and a good thing to have on hand no matter where you're driving.
Crime and Other Risks in Thailand
Thailand is a reasonably safe place to travel, but there are still some risks that warrant consideration when deciding whether to get covered:
- Vehicles Accidents and Emergencies - Even if aren't driving yourself, there have been many incidents of tourists getting injured when buses, cars, and pedestrians collide.
- Petty Theft - Crime in Thailand isn't terrible, but pick-pocketing and the theft of belongings are common in tourist areas.
- Terrorism, Strikes, and Protests - Unlike some of its neighbors, Thailand has a pretty good record on this front (and tons of incentive to protect its tourism industry), so while it's always a risk, I personally don't worry too much about it.
- Natural Disasters- Thailand is near the water and is prone to heavy rains and flooding. Tragically, nearly 5,000 people died in Southern Thailand (including some of the popular islands) during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
- Animals- I've seen more than a few mangy dogs running around Thailand (not to mention those crazy monkeys). Animal bites are a real risk here.
Thailand's Medical System
There's a scene in Hangover II where one of the characters gets shot and then rushed to a Bangkok medical clinic. He comes out and, of course, his friends are worried, but he says:"Actually the bullet just grazed my arm, 8 stitches, it only cost $6, how is that even possible?"
Ok, so Hollywood may have been stretching the truth about the Thai medical system a little bit.But the point is that the Thai medical system doeshave a reputation for beingrelatively affordable in cost (much is government subsidized) and pretty decent in providing quality healthcare service.
Tips for Travel to Thailand
🗺️ Where to Go: Ko Chang, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Pai (see full list of the best places to visit in Thailand).
📅 When to Go: November to April is generally the best season to visit Thailand. But note that there are different monsoon seasons in different parts of the country, so there is almost always somewhere that can be visited in Thailand regardless of the month.
💬 Language: Thai, though most travelers can get by fine with English as many Thais working in the tourism industry speak at least basic English.
🎒 What to Pack: Clothes sufficient for a week (laundry services are cheap and plentiful in Thailand), a raincoat, an umbrella, waterproof electronics, sunscreen, insect spray.
If you liked this article, be sure to check out my full article with all the best travel tips for Thailand.
Methodology
To find the best sites for Thailand travel insurance, I reviewed each of the mentioned sites and found sample quotes for different ages. I have also used the sites in question for my own insurance needs over my decade plus of travel to Thailand. I have personally traveled to Thailand almost a dozen times, and I have always purchased travel insurance.
FAQs About Thailand Insurance
Where can I find travel insurance for Thailand?
You can compare quotes for Thailand travel insurance from dozens of companies on aggregator sites like VisitorsCoverage or TravelInsurance.com.
Does Thailand require travel insurance to enter?
Travel insurance for Thailand is not required as of early 2023. Thailand has dropped its previous mandatory travel insurance requirement for tourists. However, in the past, the rules have changed multiple times, sometimes in a matter of hours. If you want to play it safe, you can find an affordable quote in minutes via VisitorsCoverage.
***
Especially in light of the incredible number of accidents that happen in Thailand every year, I'll happily continue to pay for travel insurance for Thailand in exchange for the piece of mind that comes with knowing that my trip to Thailand is covered.
Other travel insurance guides by country:
- Best Sites for Canadian Travel Insurance
- Best Sites for Mexico Travel Insurance
- Best Sites for Ireland Travel Insurance
- Best Sites for Greece Travel Insurance
- Best Sites for Croatia Travel Insurance
I hope this guide helped arm you with the information you need to find the best travel insurance for Thailand for your circ*mstance.
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