Best Travel Insurance Thailand 2024 — Cover Your Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai Trip
Thailand is a popular travel destination for many Singaporeans and being just a mere 2.5-hour away by flight, it makes it even faster for us to get there for a quick getaway or even business-related events.
Whether it’s Bangkok, Phuket or up north in Chiang Mai, Thailand has many tourist-friendly spots with affordable and fantastic options for shopping and dining. Plus, the coastal areas offer beautiful resorts and opportunities for sea sports. Wherever you’re planning to go, do remember to buy your travel insurance as it’ll cover you for any unexpected events or natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
Travel Requirements To Enter Thailand
VISA application
Unless you’re from one of the countries which are on a Visa-free entry agreement with Thailand, you’ll have to apply for the single entry tourist visa to enter Thailand as a tourist or other types of visa if you’re visiting Thailand for other reasons like business events or medical treatments.
- Visa-free entry
According to the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore, travellers from over 30 countries which are on a “Visa Exemption Scheme” agreement with Thailand, do not need to apply for a visa to enter Thailand as a tourist for a single entry. This is only if you’re staying in Thailand for less than 30 days.
- Single entry Tourist visa
If your country is not on the “Visa Exemption Scheme” list, you may apply for the single entry tourist visa to enter Thailand once within 3 months from the date of your application, and it is valid for a maximum of 60 days.
- Business/working visa
Also known as Non-Immigrant Visa-B, this business/working entry visa is valid for a longer staying period of 90 days and for those who have businesses in Thailand, are investors of condominiums in Thailand or have a Thai bank account and/or purchased a Thai government bond with the equivalent amount of not less than 3 million Baht.
- Tourist Medical Treatment visa
This is only for travellers who need to receive medical treatment in Thailand (excluding treatments for COVID-19), including their travel companions i.e. no more than 3 immediate family members.
- Special Tourist visa and others
Specially designed for yacht owners, Master of Yacht, crews and Non-Thai travellers who travel to Thailand by yachts and stay in Thailand for a period up to 90 days (can be extended 2 times, 90 days each), this visa requires a revision every 15 days by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand. Other types of visa include Elite Visa, SMART Visa and more which you can find out at the Thai Embassy website.
Top 10 Things To Do In Thailand
The Grand Palace, which has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782, and the sacred Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) are notable landmarks to take a look at when going to Bangkok.
Known as the ancient capital of Thailand for centuries it boasts of rich historic charms despite being destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. The ruins of the city that remain till today have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to some of the most beautiful temples in Thailand.
Head north to Chiang Mai, known for its historic Old City surrounded by a moat. Explore ornate temples, including Doi Suthep with its panoramic views and take part in a traditional Thai cooking class or shop at local markets.
Enjoy the sun, sand, and sea on the stunning beaches of Phuket. Patong, Kata, and Karon Beaches are popular choices. Don't miss the iconic Big Buddha and indulge in water sports and island-hopping adventures.
Embark on a tropical adventure by exploring islands like Phi Phi, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao where you’ll be mesmerised by the crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and a range of water activities.
Besides the Elephant Jungle Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai and Phuket, elephant conservation areas in less touristy provinces like Sukhothai province and Surin province focus on providing a natural and comfortable environment for the elephants to roam freely, while providing visitors opportunities to learn about their conservation and welfare efforts.
Head to the lush jungles of Northern Thailand near Chiang Rai for exciting trekking experiences and discover tribal villages and pristine waterfalls.
Immerse yourself in Thai culture by participating in vibrant festivals like Songkran, the Thai New Year, where you'll engage in epic water fights, or Loy Krathong, the Festival of Lights.
Located southwest of Bangkok, vendors there sell fruits, vegetables, and Thai street food from wooden boats. You’ll be able to explore the bustling waterways and take in the lively atmosphere of this unique cultural experience.
Stroll down the breathtaking Railay Beach, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, join boat tours to the nearby Phi Phi Islands or go snorkelling there.
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How To Choose Travel Insurance For Your Thailand Trip?
Travelling before the COVID-19 pandemic was different from now, as there were much lesser factors to consider especially when you’re deciding on a suitable travel insurance. Many countries have introduced stricter entry requirements for travellers and that includes mandatory purchase of travel insurance for certain countries. If you’ve yet to get a travel insurance plan, you may want to consider getting one before your trip and you can choose to get COVID-19 coverage either as an add-on benefit or as part of an existing plan which you already have.
Here are 5 steps to help you get started:
Get sufficient coverage
Although price is one of the important things to consider when getting a travel insurance plan, you should also compare the benefits and reimbursement limits for claims like COVID-19 related medical expenses, trip cancellations, flight delays and baggage theft and/or damage.
Check if you have any pre-existing conditions
Unexpected severe illnesses or injuries while travelling could impact any pre-existing condition that you and/or your loved ones and friends may have, and only a handful of travel insurers will cover you for claims relating to your pre-existing medical conditions such as pregnancy, injuries or illnesses sustained during the trip.
Having a travel insurance plan will give you in-patient hospitalisation expenses overseas coverage that allows you to claim for medical, surgical, nursing or hospital charges, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, will prepare you better for such unexpected situations.
Take a look at different policy premiums
The premium that you fork out for your travel insurance really depends on your destination and length of stay. Many travel insurance companies have about 2 to 3 tiers of plans at different price points, with different levels of comprehensiveness and reimbursement limits.
Be prepared with extreme sports coverage
Thailand has many great spots for exciting adventures including water sports and extreme sports, but the breadth of coverage needed largely depends on your itinerary. For instance, if you’re thinking of going diving at Pattaya, make sure you get a policy that covers diving sports like MSIG’s TravelEasy® Standard, Elite and Premier plans.
Consider coverage for terrorism, theft, damage or loss of baggage and more
While Thailand is generally safe for tourists, thefts are not uncommon in crowded tourist areas, just like in any country. Just keep in mind a few things when exploring places such as bringing a small bag that you can clip on close to your body while shopping in crowded markets like Chatuchak, exercising common sense and purchasing travel insurance that covers for loss of belongings, as well as trip cancellation or postponement and flight delay due to terrorist activities are also important.
Best Thailand Travel Insurance
How does travel insurance coverage come in handy when natural disasters or unexpected events happen?
Damaged/lost baggage reimbursements
Many travel insurance plans in Thailand won't cover disruptions caused by natural disasters like earthquakes. But some insurers, like Etiqa and DirectAsia, offer plans that reimburse you for lost or damaged luggage and belongings, even if the disruption is due to bad weather or it gets stolen or lost along the way! This protects you if something happens to your stuff that's beyond your control. Remember, there are limits on how much they'll reimburse per item, so check the details of each plan.
Trip cancellations and delays coverage
If your Thailand trip gets cut short or cancelled due to a travel delay caused by a natural disaster or unforeseen circumstances like flight issues or political unrest (undeclared officially by governments), some travel insurance plans will help you recoup your prepaid expenses for flights and hotels (minus any fees). This usually applies to cancellations within 30 days of your trip start date.
Medical expenses coverage
Some travel insurance plans, like those from Etiqa and DirectAsia, can cover medical expenses if you get injured due to a natural disaster in Thailand. This might include treatment costs both while you're there and after you return to Singapore. They'll typically pay the medical facility directly or a designated beneficiary. Remember, treatment needs to start within a specific time frame after you get back to Singapore, and there are coverage limits, so make sure you understand your plan details completely.
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Best Thailand Travel Insurance Benefits Coverage
It could be affordable premiums or pre-existing conditions coverage or even the highest overseas medical coverage in the market that is the most attractive and beneficial factor to you as you decide on the most suitable plan for your Thailand trip. Before you really hit the “Apply Now” button to buy that travel insurance plan, let’s see what’s available for the various specific types of coverage, which can be useful if you’re still unsure of what’s best for you and your travel companions.
*Estimated premium rates are based on a 5D4N single trip plan to Thailand
What Is The Average Cost Of A Travel Insurance To Thailand?
With a plethora of travel insurance plans out there that offer varying coverage benefits at different price points, it can be a little overwhelming trying to do a comparison all by yourself. So we’d like to give you a hand at this. All you have to do is to choose one that suits you best by comparing the best travel insurance on Moneysmart.Â
To make things easier to understand, here’s an example to illustrate (with our round-up of the 6 best travel insurance plans with COVID-19 coverage for Thailand). Assuming that you’re going for a 4D3N Bangkok vacation with your friends, and you’re getting a single trip insurance plan for yourself.
Average Cost Of A Travel Insurance For A Thailand Trip
| Travel insurance provider | Overseas medical expenses | Post-trip medical expenses | Loss/damage of personal baggage | Trip cancellation | Total premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bubblegum | Up to $100,000 | Up to $10,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $5,000 | $34 |
| Singlife | Up to $250,00 | Up to $10,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $5,000 | $36 |
| Allianz | Up to $200,000 | Up to $10,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $5,000 | $36 |
| Starr | Up to $200,000 | Up to $15,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $5,000 | $30 |
| AIG | Up to $100,000 | N.A. | Up to $3,000 | Up to $5,000 | $38 |
| FWD | Up to $200,000 | Up to $6,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $7,500 | $22 |
| Bubblegum | Up to $100,000 | Up to $10,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $5,000 | $34 |
| *Estimated premium rates are based on a 4D3N single trip plan to Bangkok, data last updated on 3 October 2023. |
Looking at the 6 travel insurers, we can see that there are differences and similarities in terms of certain benefits and how their premiums vary. The average cost of a travel insurance plan with COVID-19 coverage for a 4D3N Bangkok trip is about $33, assuming that we take the most basic plan offered by each travel insurance provider.
Estimated average cost of a travel insurance plan:
$34 + $36 + $36 + $30 + $38 + $22 = $196
$196 Ă· 6 = $32.67
If you have a preference for a more extensive coverage for medical expenses in the situation that you or your travel companions get diagnosed with COVID-19, Singlife’s Travel Lite plan will give you the highest coverage limit of $250,000 among the above 6 plans.
More cost-efficient options would be FWD, Bubblegum and Starr as they offer more affordable premiums. Despite offering lower premiums than Allianz and AIG, the medical expenses coverage by Starr’s most basic plan is quite comprehensive with a generous limit of $200,000, which is decent considering that there are others with a maximum claim benefit of up to only $100,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel to Bangkok?
- It is generally safe to travel to Bangkok, Thailand. However, stay vigilant and beware of conmen and pickpockets when going to crowded areas. When doing sea sports, go to licensed operators. In the event of a terrorist attack, follow instructions by official authorities.
Can you get travel insurance when already abroad?
- Technically, you can. However, many travel insurance providers impose restrictions on trip cancellation claims when known events are announced. This means that if you have not bought your travel insurance for your trip, you would not be able to claim for trip cancellation even if there is a valid reason such as a terrorist attack or natural disaster (e.g. tsunami). Therefore, it's always wise to buy travel insurance right after you confirm your travel plans.
Where do I get COVID-19 coverage for my travel insurance?
- You can either get COVID-19 coverage as an add-on benefit or as part of an existing insurance plan, through your preferred travel insurance mobile app, website or insurance agent. Some travel insurance companies provide COVID-19 coverage as an add-on benefit to an existing plan, while others include COVID-19 coverage benefits in their range of travel insurance plans.
Is it a must to provide proof of adequate finances during my stay in Thailand as a tourist?
- Yes. If you’re applying for a tourist visa, you must provide proof of adequate finances equivalent to at least 20,000 Baht per person or 40,000 Baht per family. For on-arrival-visa tourists, proof of adequate finances equivalent to at least 10,000 Baht per person or 20,000 Baht per family is required.
Can I still enter Thailand if my passport expires 6 months before my trip?
- It is a high probability that you will not be able to enter based on the requirements of Thailand. A pro tip (risky one), if your passport expires in less than 6 months before your trip, go for a manual check in instead of the self service check in and explain your situation to the counter staff, you may or may not be granted permission to leave Singapore. However, it is good practice to renew your passport at least 6-9 months before your passport expiry date for a better peace of mind.