richard_smith237

LUMA is who I moved to... They have paid out every time for treatment for (inpatient only treatment) for my Wife and Son, so I'm happy with them. I've since moved to Cygna (through work) which is outstanding, but I believe that policy would be outrageously expensive if I purchased directly.

Taking an insurance company to court for 130,000 baht.... and not travelling overseas for work while I pursue this legal battle... Thats not going to happen - as much as I dislike the situation I was in, the only sensible route I could foresee at the time was to write it off. This was 4 years ago is water under the bridge - the story on here is not seek advice, but to forewarn others that this company rejected my claim for a reason I found unfair.

Was this April Thailand or April France? (Sounds more like the former) If it was April France, and if you fully declared the past condition on your application and they did not apply an exclusion or moratorium in your policy then you could have appealed this. I believe it was April International (e-mails back and forth from @april.com)... I did appeal, directly to them - they continued to reject. The letter stated any new evidence to counter the rejection be submitted to APRIL Assistance (Thailand) Co., Ltd' which makes me suspect I was actually with April Thailand... (knowing exactly if we are with April International as I beleived, or with April Thailand is not as clear cut as we may think - I still cannot be sure)... Knowing what I know now, I should have appealed directly to an ombudsman at the time and also informed Bumrungrad of the appeal, as at the time I was receiving letters from Bumrungrad with a warning of legal action should I delay payment further. As I work overseas and travel back and forth a lot I didn't want there to be any impact on my travel - the concern at the time was potentially being prevented from leaving the country if charges were filed against me... not being able to travel to work would have cost me significantly more than the cost of the treatment owed to Bumrungrad, I therefore chose to write off the cost and removed myself and family from the Policy. I have since learned and check that Dr's do not write anything 'ambiguous' in my file which the underwriters could misinterpret or use to their advantage.

There is no traffic police anywhere inside the town. Red-light jumping is fairly common by cars and MCs at the pedestrian crossing near Rompho Market, blocking corner turns by parked cars, etc. Of course, both foreigners and the locals are responsible. Which town has no traffic police ?... In all the towns I've been to its the Police who are controlling the very lights at the main junctions so many are jumping... if thats not 'in front' of them, I don't know what is.

I was with April International... They pre-approved treatment.... after I underwent 130,000 baht treatment. About a month later (I think) I started gettng letters from the hospital asking me to pay. The reason.... 'pre-existing conditions'.... or rather, a pre-existing condition that I had not had in more than 5 years. The policy had a 5 year moratorium on pre-existing conditions (in my case a kidney stone). I'd had a kidney stone more than 5 years previously, and in a medical 4.5 years previously (to treatment) it was noted that there was no stone and that it must have passed. Another stone appeared in a later medical for which I sought treatment. When applying for April insurance (which I'd held for a couple of years) on the forms I filled out that I had no pre-existing conditions or renal stones / complications within the last 5 years (because I hadn't). After approving treatment, and then refusing to cover the cost, April claimed that it was because of a pre-existing condition within 5 years. That the note in my records of the 'absence' of a previous kidney stone was enough to alert them to a pre-existing condition. It would have been ok if the Dr hadn't mentioned the presence of nothing (absence of an older stone that must have passed). Very annoying as I'd had the treatment at Bumrungrad... I argued, rejected, dragged my heels etc... but started getting letters from Bumrungrad that I have to pay (they warned of legal action)... As I travel a lot of for work I had little choice but to pay up as I don't want complications at Immigration upon departure should things go that far. I removed myself and family from Aprils insurance and went elsewhere (LUMA). Its impossible to tell if other Insurance Companies would behave the same, but I was most unhappy with April and believe their actions were wrong - I just didn't have the time to fight it.

Wow... An insurance failed to pay out because an alcohol test was not administered ?... that ridiculous - we should know which insurance so we can all avoid. I have heard of insurance policies not paying out because someone was drunk - but not because they were no proof that someone wasn't drunk... Definitely a case to file an appeal with 'the Ombudsman'.....

LOL - uinbelievable - I feel like I have landed on an island of fools. My last post - for the third time: Sarcasm - SARCASM | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary the use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say, made in order to hurt someone's feelings or to criticize something in a humorous way: "You have been working hard," he said with heavy sarcasm, as he looked at the empty page. Then you should perhaps start working on your prose and understand the basic concept that sarcasm is difficult to portray in the written word, you certainly failed in your attempt to exude sarcasm... Fools you say..... Perhaps learn to use emoticons....

You are very strange... You are now arguing that Thai's in general have an attitude towards 'Falangs' (some good some not)... isn't that just like any being on the planet ??... they have a basic impression thats about it. I'm stating that for the vast majority of people in Thailand the the 'attitude' is one of general indifference because they're really not bothered about us either way... they don't spend their days disliking us or gushing over us, they really just don't care one way or another - life is just normal....

Indeed... with that comment (and a few others) he's really outed himself as an extraordinarily repugnant character.

This is such an idiotic response its difficult to know where to start with it.... ... If you think Thai's have an attitude with you... thats on you, not them. ... Immigration have a job to do.. thats it, its nothing personal, and as they modernise the rules evolve, sometimes following existing policy more closely, sometimes policy is removed (i.e. TM28). People like me? what does that even mean ???... such an idiotic comment. If you mean people like the Op who are using agents... Immigration make money from agents, they're more than happy to have people like the Op here... until they aren't - is simple. 'They' ('don't want my lot here') - you are talking on behalf of all Thai's... again such an idiotic statement... you're not very bright are you. And finally, If Immigration are fine with people like the Op using agents, then who am I to argue ??... Are you so arrogant and thick that you expect Immigration to want what you want ??... astonishing. Delusional you mention... I'm surprised you could spell it.

I agree the hoops are there... Are any of these hoops 'because' of the bad guys ?? Or are they the hoops there simply because they are the rules which are now being enforced ? I think a lot of the requirements have always existed... they are just being enforced more stringently - I suspect this is more to do with the modernisation of Thailand rather than anything else. Perhaps you are right and the rules are more stringent because of those who game the system. But, I draw the analogy of driving in Thailand (perhaps a flawed analogy) - the police are more strict on some aspects, speeding etc, especially with more cameras etc... thats not because more people are breaking the law, its just evolution of a maturing society to enforce the rules more stringently.

I've never had a problem. 21 years on Non B and Non O. Meet the criteria, get the extension. Thats kind of my point... The Visa's are all easy for those who meet the requirements - someone It was TroubleandGrumpy who mentioned that the 'bad guys' such as the Ops 'friend' were making it more difficult and create more issues for those of us playing by the rules... i.e. the 'bad guys give us all a bad rep' argument - but this is flawed IMO. ...But, I don't think so... if we meet the requirements the visas are easy...

Really... You sound like a bar-stooler tarring all Thai's with the same negative brush.... The reality is, for those who meet Immigration requirements the visa's are easily and simply secured - sure, jumping through the paperwork hoops on a year basis is a PITA, but its not hard, its just irritating to have to keep doing it when there could easily be better systems... 'The bad ones' are the reason why so many Thai's have such a negative attitude towards expats ???... Really ??? Sorry to burst your 'self important' bubble, but most Thai's don't have any attitude towards us, they dont think about us and when the average Thai does cross paths with a Westerner its just like they are crossing paths with any other stranger, there is a general indifference and thats it... The 'discussions' to make it easier that may or may not exist (no one knows) might be influenced by the numerous foreigners here to attempt to game the system... but its more likely that there are no discussions, systems are in place, change takes effort... as mentioned earlier... the general indifference means no one is really that bothered about it at all, so carry on. I've been here a couple of decades - the only crack down I've seen over the years is on Back to Back Tourist Visas and Visa Exempt entries... the Non-Imm visas haven't really changed at all... and remain just as easy secure for those who meet the requirements as they always have been (the difficulty has been with our respective Embassies refusing various documents).

If you read the trail of comments you'll know what I meant. Marriage extensions are not so easy for those trying to circumnavigate the rules. I have heard of stamps going in passports without being entered on the system by rogue IOs. These would not be valid. Ah... So its not easy for those who who don't meet the requirements... otherwise, easy enough.. no ??? I think the Retirement visa isn't easy for me... in fact its impossible...

The girls were 14... so riding illegally. But you knew that already..... and then failed to comprehend other points made.

Are you new here or what? We're all aware this 'stuff' happens.. But the discussion concerned whether 'Igor' should pay for damages as someone suggested he may get 'stiffed for this' (i.e. his medical bills and that of the girls - as well as potential repair costs).... After all, the girls who caused the accident were very likely riding illegally... But... IF the rider was licensed and the Motorcycle was less than 110cc and they were on the road legally (i.e. with Por-Ror-Bor - tax and insurance) then that Por-Ror-Bor insurance should be paying for the medical costs... ... Does it also pay for the repair costs to Igor's bike ?

Yeah I know, trying to establish the dribble about under16. The 'dribble' as you so call it... is the point made by Safety First that the girls were very likely to be 'riding illegally' as they were underage for the size of motorcycle they were riding, and thats if they were even licensed in the first place. The 'dribble' as you so call it is regarding underaged and unlicensed riders causing accidents when they shouldn't be on the road in the first place...

Yep.. Obviously if we are unconscious we have no control over where we are taken. I keep my insurance card in my wallet, and another thats in the pocket of my bike with my licence. What I wouldn't want to happen of course is what happened to a guy recently who was critical yet still turned away from a private hospital because they couldn't identify if he has funds to pay or not (illegal)... And sadly - people here judge your economic status very much by your appearance - and its judged that those on motorbikes can't afford a car... ergo may not be able to afford to pay for private treatment !..

Ah got you... Is that you, passenger or anyone else covered ? (i.e. if you injure someone else your insurance covers them up to 200,000 baht medical bills ? And, is that 200,000 baht cover at any hospital, private or government ? (any idea ?) 200,000 baht would cover most 'bumps'... but a serious accident could easily exceed that.

Agreed... there are a lot of blackbelts in keyboard-Karate on this forum... I wonder how they'd really react once off their sofa. I definitely agree with the sentiment though... There are way too many stories of teachers exceeding their authorities in extreme way to the point off assault. So... I think many of us would react very firmly,... filing assault charges, seeing the head, demanding action. Of course, if none is taken, removing the child from the school. ----- Fortunately, nothing such as this would ever happen in my Son's School (Int'l school) so I have no concerns whatsoever. But, if my child were at a Thai school, I'd make it very clear that any form of physical discipline would be met with a response. That said, these issues occur in the schools that Western children tend not to attend - and if they did, I suspect the teacher would be very careful about behaving in this manner with a mixed child as I'm sure they're well aware Westerners do not 'Krieng-Jai' the teachers as an authority figure in quite the same way Thai parents do.

I agree, a lot of this is often 'shipped off to the sticks'... But there are also another reasons... - There is less oversight outside of the larger immigration offices. - In the Busier area's there is less need for the officers to compromises themselves with the smaller every day stuff we'd see. - Whereas in the quieter area's there is less opportunity for graft, so they take the opportunity handed to them by agents. For example... in the provinces where there is a lot of foreign labourers the Immigration officers are less likely to be bothered with Visa agents dealing with Westerners because their income stream is from the factories etc who are paying handsomely to avoid immigration raids etc... In much the same way traffic regulations, helmet wearing etc are Policed more in Bangkok and other built up areas than in the quieter area's... its not due to any lesser degree of corruption, a lot of this is also about optics.

Not easy for who ?? (perhaps only those who don't meet the requirements ??? The trickiest part is making sure the submitted photos are acceptable. It could be argued that its a grey area - but if the 'stamp came from Immigration' then its valid...

100% agree... I have fwd and rear facing on both my Car and Motorcycle... Its still not 360 degrees coverage of course, but covers 120 degrees to the front and 120 degrees to the rear, is hard-wired and always on whenever the ignition is on. While I've been here long enough not to be concerned with unfair treatment from the Police etc, I'm well aware that it may not always be possible for them to know exactly what happened and establish genuine fault... In most cases its not a big deal and just let the insurance company handle it... BUT.. there are very rare cases where cam footage could be essential. The use of a 'dash cam' is to shut down false conclusions immediately before they get a chance to grow arms and legs.

Thats how it works with cars - and it works quite well... the difference of course is than in a standard 'fender bender' no one is hurt. When there is an injury, things usually get a little more complicated as one side will usually want some form of compensation and medical bills paid, and that side is usually the poorer party even if they are the cause of the incident... (as they often will not accept or even understand they are the cause). So.. when there is an injury, the Police usually get involved and they can dictate fault, but we don't have to agree with that. It could get pushed up to the next level.

Yep, thats the tricky part... looking to my long term future here, I have concerns regarding level of medical cover I can secure as I age. But.. we are also discussing 'emergency medical costs'... and not elective care... in an emergency situation we may not even be conscious and have any impact on where we are taken or how much it could cost. Without decent medical cover our costs could well be significant... and this would sting somewhat, especially in a 'no fault' incident. On the private vs government care - obviously I have a preference... and those who don't undergo private treatment argue their case well... but they always argue that it 'was as good as private care'... same doctors etc - but not always and the level of nursing care is different etc (we could debate this ad nauseam - but private care is just better, more comfortable, less waiting etc etc - but obviously more expensive). That said, If paying for myself and not insurance, I'd seek out a good Government facility every time though, as private costs are astronomical.