tonydabbs

Of course the Thai system covers accidents.

The whole story fails to make sense to me.

Yes, I agree.

About coverage for accident, though, there situations where you have to pay the hospital yourself and then get reimbursed by your insurance company.

1. 2 vehicle accident - file a police report (in the hospital, if necessary). The insurance won't pay until the Compulsory insurance pays their part first.

2. Injured by 3rd psrty (s) - file a police report. Insurance won't pay if you knowingly created the situation that caused injuy to your body.

It's easy to google up "William Russell" exoat health insurance, and read about their exclusion of pre-existing conditions. It doesn't sound so good if you've had heart attacks or cancer. I'm looking at the website for HTH insurance, and it might be better. You can google up "HTH global citizen expatriate insurance." As I read it, there's only a 6 month period for exclusion of pre-existing conditions (and that can be waived if you had "creditable coverage" before you signed on). The rates don't seem terrible, depending on the deductible that you select. I don't know how much the rates will go up as we age, though.

It's all a puzzle to figure out. One has to read the fine print carefully.

What people need to understand is that there are two major types of pre-existing conditions, those that are considered to be "curable" (or healable) and those that are considered to be "not curable", though, controllable.

Curable conditions can be covered after a period of healing. Cancer falls in the category of curable, if the doctor finally certifies that all of the cancer has been totally removed and you have gone for 5 to 7 years without any reoccurance, many insurance companies will cover you for cancer, including some in Thailand. Not skin cancer, though.

Diabetes, Hypertension and high cloistral are controllable but not considered to be curable. Since a heart attack has the potential of weakening the heart for life, that falls in this category also.

So, yes, read the fine print very carefully; but you should have some understanding of health insurance when you do.

Saying your heart attack cannot be covered is sadly, a lie. Maybe whatever this Dude is selling won't cover it, but he doesn't represent every company. If you have not been treated, taking medication for, or seen a doctor about a pre-existing condition, said condition WILL be covered as long as the problem was 2 years ago or longer. I had the same problem (heart attack) 2 years ago in Feb. After Feb I will be covered.

Check out William Russell for excellent expat insurance. Believe me, I've shopped around.

I think that you are going to be sadly disappointed when you have a claim. If you told me that they have already covered you for treatment of a heart attack, I would sit up and listen. You are accusing someone of lying. I am now accusing you of not knowing what you are talking about. William Russell has a good reputation, that is true, and it provides good coverage. It is also much more costly than the Thai-based insurance that TV was talking about. No problem, though. If it would cover a pre-existing condition that a Thai-based insurer wouldn't cover, I would highly recommend it to people who need that coverage.

BUT...I read this same kind of unknowing misinformation in various forums a few years ago; so I went out seeking this "holy grail" of health insurance. You know what I found? It doesn't exist - unless it is government subsidized. Thai-based insurance does exactly the same thing.

I am responding to you just as surely as you did to TV. Now, I will step back and ask you 2 questions. If your answer to both questions is "Yes", I will humbly apologize to you. 1) Did you put on your application you that had had a heart attack? 2) If so, they must have excluded you from coverage for your heart. Did they state in that exclusion that your heart would be covered after 2 years of no further treatment? I don't think so.

That fact is, I don't think that any insurer will cover your heart ever again. That is because having a heart attack weakens your heart and leaves you more vulnerable for future attacks, although you may never have one again.

If you didn't tell them about your heart attack, then there might be a possibility that your heart will be covered after you have had the policy for over 2 years. But your heart attack was such a short time ago, they might be able to refuse coverage do to fraud on your part.

Fact: All private health insurers (including Thai-based) have up to 2 years to find and exclude any pre-existing condition that existed prior to applying for the insurance. After that, they have to cover any pre-existing conditions not already excluded.

"No insurance company here covers pre-existing conditions."

OP

If you can find work here, you should be covered by Thai Social Security.

Thai Social Security does cover pre-existing conditions.

I think that you are over simplifying a bit. I agree with you, though, that if he gets hired by an employer providing group coverage under the government SSI program his diabetes will be covered. But not all employers are insured under the program. Many aren't. The main thing that he needs to undersand first is that he can't go out buy the coverage he wants here. If this is of very serious concern to him, then he should focus on finding himself a good job that provides coverage under SSI.

Hey

I have that big problem to find a health insurance for a person with diabetes or to find one there would like to have me and beside that if they would like to have me, so when do they cover?

If i end up at the hospital of any risen there have nothing with my diabetes to do, the most of the time the hospital have to take care of my diabetes and do the health insurance then cover?

I am 31 and had no problem with my diabetes at all and i have no bad history. Beside me i need my family to be cover to. (1 adult + 1 child)

If it is possible i would like a health insurance there only cover Thailand.

And i am young and that mean i am not that person with the most money in the world so i would like it to be as cheap as possible.

Hope somebody can give me a little help.

Any health insurer in Thailand will insure you. But they will exclude coverage for any treatment, testing and medication for diabetes. If you have Type 2 diabetes, that should not be a serious cost problem; I don't know about Type 1. In any case, though, you have absolutely no other choice but to pay yourself. No insurance company here covers pre-existing conditions.

They will also exclude coverage for any medical conditions related to your history of diabetes. That is only a problem, though, if you don't keep your diabetes under control and have regular check ups. Have your blood-sugar checked regularly. You need to have your heart, kidneys, blood vessels and other vulnerable parts of your body checked often.

In a similar vein, I was wondering if one could get insurance against non-return of deposit?

I suspect the temptation to retain a deposit (unjustly) would be seriously reduced if the landlord knew they'd have to deal with a (Thai) insurance adjuster.

Better yet. File a compaint with the police. It works!

You may all be aware of the different classes of car insurance. 1st class, 2nd class, 3rd class, and at the bare legal minimum, compulsory government insurance - the bare minimum needed to license a car in Thailand.

I have a 30 year old very special vintage collector car that I enjoy driving regularly. This week, I had to renew the tax and license for another year, so I tasked my insurance agent to care for this as usual. Surprise! He came back to inform me that none of the insurance carriers will now issue any 1st, 2nd or 3rd class car insurance to any vehicle older than 15 years. So, obviously mine is way past the sell-by date. The best he could do was get the compulsory insurance for the car and it is legal for another year, but with some caveats...

I'm not covered much if I hit someone in the car. the limits are very low, so I will have to be extra careful when I drive the car.

Anybody else with special old cars out there experience this? But perhaps more importantly, buyers of used cars should be aware of this with cars approaching 15 years of age.

I thought my biggest problem was where to locate 95 benzene. I guess I have more to worry about than that now. Thailand has just made being a car collector less attractive.

Again, at Thai Visa Insurance would like to point out that "Insurance Agents" are just that - Agents and not Brokers.

"Thaibr" summed it up well when he said : Change your broker. look around. this is not true for all insurer's

We at Thai Visa Insurance can insure old Classics - as a member of Thai Visa why not use the service, it's free !!

Simply contact us here outlining what you are looking for.

I did, you turned me down on both vehicles..

Naturally, this topic is about Classic and Vintage cars.

I agree with TV on this. There is an insurer that specializes in insuring Classic and Vintage cars and I'm sure that TV knows who they are. Your cars are just "older cars". The reason that insurers don't provide "own vehicle" damage protection for vehicles after a certain age is because obtaining good replacement parts for them is very difficult. You should have no problem getting Voluntary 3rd Party coverage for them, though.

Hi

Be carefull if you ride motorbike, not many cover you check to small prints

BULLHICKY!! All health insurance companies in Thailand provide full treatment coverage for motorbike accidents without exception!!

BUT!! A few limit the PA coverage, which is really Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. It has absolutely nothing to do with treatment coverage.

I think that I hear the sound of a dead horse being beaten to death. This is Thailand. Coverage for theft and loss of valuables is very limited here. Only a few insurers will extend the coverage to valuables taken outside the home. None will provide insurance for a single item, or set of items, without it being included in an insurance package, like home contents insurance or travel insurance. If somebody did provide it here, it would be extremely costly. Have you asked your father?

Okay, I think this confirms what I originally suspected: insurance for the camera equipment is not available unless I include it under a home contents policy that would probably not be suited for my situation or that of most single expats living in Thailand (i.e. small rented apartment and very little in the way of personal items except for a few high value goods). Also, if insurance is available, all the likely scenarios of loss or accidental damage would be excluded, leaving just highly unlikely events such as getting mugged.

If anyone can suggest otherwise, please let me know.

This is the point where you should be contacting an insurance broker to find out for yourself. It won't cost you any money and Thaivisa makes it very easy for you to do so.

I am afraid what you have overseas does not help the underwriters here.

Wherever you live you (should) have property insurance so your items may already be covered. We suggest you ask the owner to see their policy. If for some unknown reason they do not have insurance then we suggest you buy your own quickly as you are responsible should something happen to the property.

Property insurance? Do you mean contents insurance, buildings insurance, or some other insurance (such as public liability insurance)? The only insurance I have in Thailand is medical insurance and I have absolutely no interest in general contents insurance as I keep so little here that is worth anything, and anything that I have I could easily pay for or replace. As far as I'm aware I can't insure something that I don't own, therefore you must be talking about some type of public liability insurance in case I accidentally damage the landlords contents or the building itself. Well the contents are worth next to nothing and I don't know anyone who takes out cover to protect their landlord's building. You may not take that as a good reason for not having the insurance, but I maintain that I am not interested in such cover.

Going back to my original question, can you (or someone else) provide cover for camera equipment? Would accidental damage or theft be covered, including theft from a locked hotel or guesthouse room? If not, the cover probably wouldn't be of much value to me. Most insurance policies exclude all the likely scenarios, and I'm not worried about getting mugged.

This reminds me of the time when a relative intended to take out a special policy for a new video camera. My father offered to insure the camera for her - for half the fee the insurance company was quoting - as he knew how unlikely it was that anything would ever happen. Better odds than on the horses!

I think that I hear the sound of a dead horse being beaten to death. This is Thailand. Coverage for theft and loss of valuables is very limited here. Only a few insurers will extend the coverage to valuables taken outside the home. None will provide insurance for a single item, or set of items, without it being included in an insurance package, like home contents insurance or travel insurance. If somebody did provide it here, it would be extremely costly. Have you asked your father?

I'm searching now for some time for health insurance,

I'm newbie in Thai and waiting for my retirement visa

Have no work permit and for now have only tourist visa !

What insurance can I get and what are the best around ?

Was thinking about to spend for health insurance between 40000 and 60000 a year

In patient only

I'm not traveling in Asia only for visa run.

All advise and help is welcome thank you

Han,

Quite frankly I don't think it is worth taking out health insurance in Thailand. The insurance companies base the rates on your age and since you are a retiree I presume you are over 50. You would not get a good policy much under 100,000 bt a year. There will be many exclusions too for pre-medical conditions.

If you are over 60 you would be looking at twice the amount and even more exclusions .Government hospitals are very good in Thailand and treatment including operations are so cheap that an expensive medical insurance is simply not worth while for elder persons. Insurances companies don't like insuring older people so they quote prohibitive prices to deter them. In many countries this practice is against the law

Sorry, Antony, your advice is a bit oversimplied, to say the least. Keep in mind that all insurance companies in Thailand will cover treatment in government hospitals - they just won't pay to them directly. Since you don't mind paying the hospital yourself, I suggest that it would be safer and more practical for you to purchase some lower cost medical insurance and have it available for you as emergency back up protection.

I've had 2nd class insurance the last few years but never used it. This year, I think I'll save 5,000 baht or so.

But, is the compulsory enough?

On reading my insurance, there seems litle difference between the two.

No. It is small coverage liability insurance. If you are not worried about your vehicle being stolen, you can save at least 2 or 3 thousand baht by getting Voluntary 3rd Party liabilty protection that upgrades you Compulsory coverage and also adds coverage for any property damage you cause and provides bail bond (as Thaivisa has mentioned) - It just removes the fire and theft coverage for your own vehicle that you now have.

Bupa Thailand has some excellent cover for a great price and if you visit the office you can bargain them down a little bit especially if u take 2 policies for the mrs at the same time etc.

Whoops! Misinformation here. Bupa does have some very good cover. But, there is more disadvantage than advantange to your dealing directly with the insurer (I am sure Thaivisa will vouch for that). You don't bargain with Bupa over premium. They give a 10% family discount when two or more in the same family enroll together. If you renew and have had no claims the past year, you will receive a rebate check 6 months later. You get this whether you deal direct or deal through a broker. Your cost for the insurance is the same either way. A good broker is your representative in dealing with the insurance companies, and the service is free to you.

Can someone please advice me what insurance is best to get for my daughter. She holds both UK an Thai citizenship and is 3 years old. The insurance policy that I have if I add her on does not provide that much cover and was wondering if anyone can recommend an insurance policy that would be suitable. Do you think it is better to get insurance directly from the hospital in our area or via a 3rd party company.

Thanks

Only 1 health insurance company in Thailand (Thaivisa knows them) will insure a child without a parent. Life insurance companies may, but their health coverage is generally quite low. As far as insurance through a hospital, I have no idea.

looking for sugestions on the types of cover/ options regarding Health insurance while my wife is in Australia.

I use the public system while i am in Australia. However she is not covered.

When i go to Thailand i use travel insurance. Does Thailand have the same option for Thais heading overseas.

The key issue here is how long she is planning to stay in Austraila. If she is staying six months or less, get her travel health insurance. If she is staying more than 6 months, that's another issue. In any case, the people at this website can help you.

Anyone here using this plan.

I was offered it a few times when banking at the main branch in Pattaya.

Would like some feedback from anyone using it .

Compare it to the Thai Visa Insurance plans and you will find Thai Visa is better value, and in English so you can understand !

http://insurance.thaivisa.com/medical-pack...plans-1--2.html

I agree with Thaivisa about this product. It is strictly basic hospital insurance. Traditionally, life issurance companies only sell basic health insurance as a rider on life insurance policies. This is a life insurance rider broken free from the constraints of the life insurance policy. I understand that 2 life insurance companies have been authorized to do this now.

If i need to know, how to get assurance in thailand but no work permit? i have just only multiple entry non immergrantion.

Are you asking about getting insurance?

Reading your previous post you apparently are trying to get info about getting insurance.

Now what kind of insurance do you want?

See this link for insurance info: http://insurance.thaivisa.com/

Moved to Insurance in Thailand Forum

Actually, for the most part, it really doesn't matter. Only the purchase of life insurance requires a Work Permit. All health insurance can be purchased without a WP or even showing your visa. Most other insurance is the same also. If a non-life company asks to see your visa or WP, it is strictly a personal decision by the underwriter to check your stability as an insurance buyer in Thailand.

One health insurer is known to do that from time to time.

I have got the thai version read to me by a friend and not sure about how accurate his translation is, but according to him the thai and english version does not say the same things. The thai version states that pipes in the foundation is not covered but doesn't specify the wall... I will need someone else to confirm this.

Anyway, I called them again and said that the english translation is not the same as the thai version, however the only reply was that they will not pay and they will send me an official letter about this on Monday (which I will give to a lawyer to have look at).

I asked why they would pay for damages to the furniture (wardrobe) if they didn't cover for fixing the piping and the response was that "they cover damage to furniture but they will not pay to fix the leak inside the wall. They don't pay for the pipe". So why would they pay for 1 part but not the not to fix the leak? It just doesn't make sense. If I didn't fix the leak there would be more damage and they would have to pay more.

Further the policy says under "replacement value" - "in the case of partial loss or damage, the Company shall repair or restore the damaged property to its normal condition but not better or more extensive than its condition when new"

The thing is not the money, as it really is not that much money, but rather the principle that they are trying to hide behind confusing paragraphs..

Translation mistakes happen, even when Thai speakers translate the Thai to you. When Thai insurance companies give you an English translation they warn that that the Thai version of the policy is the only one that counts in court, since that is the version that has been approved by the government. The English version is provided only as a convenience. For the most part, though, the English version does accurately represent the coverage.

Now, about the water damage claim. I have experienced similar rejected claims with 2 other insurance companies (not AIG). Basically, it comes down to the fact that they will cover repair of the damage caused by the water, but they won't cover the repair of the source of the water damage. For example, damage from water drain overflow is covered, but fixing the drain isn't.

Can anyone suggest where I can get a very comprehensive travel insurance for travelling back to the UK ?

I'm travelling with my Thai wife who is 10 weeks pregnant and I want to cover both of us for any unexpected complications. I'd like good health and life coverage and I'd like her to have quality health insurance in case of complications.

I looked at Bupa but they seem have have restrictions on pregnancy.

Any suggestions always appreciated. I have this topic set to email me when you reply.

Cheers

Tango7

Sorry, Tango, her pregnancy is a pre-existing condition. Health and travel insurance companies don't cover pre-existing conditions. At the very best, she might be covered for an unexpected life threatening medical emergency related to her pregnancy, but nothing more. Even if you had planned ahead and bought a health insurance plan for the two of you in Thailand, you would have had to pay extra for maternity coverage. (Okay, there is an exception). And, you would have had to have purchased the coverage at least 3 months before your wife got pregnant. If you had purchased a good health insurance plan with maternity coverage back then, you wouldn't be desperately seeking some kind "magic" travel policy now. You would have even been covered for travel also. Oh, well...Go ahead and get good medical coverage for the trip and just accept the fact that you will have to pay out-of-pocket for any problems related to her pregnancy. Good luck.

Thank you Barry for commenting. I guess expensive is a relative term. The same 2 million baht coverage for my family, under 30 years old, is 65k a year. $1850.00 per year is more than I would like to pay. To me, it seems a bit expensive and they don't cover anything that happens on a motorcycle or outpatient care. I guess I am just trying to shop around.

Sorry, brennanstimpy, but BUPA does provide full treatment coverage for motorcycle accidents in all of their plans. And, if you go to the hospital within 24 hours of the accident you can be treated as an outpatient, whether you paid for the optional outpatient coverage or not. No health insurance company in Thailand limits treatment coverage for motorcycle accidents and most provide outpatient care for bike accidents as part of their inpatient coverage.

BUT...under their Personal Accident (PA) insurance rider, which is really just Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, BUPA will pay only half of the lump sum benefit if you lose an arm or a leg, or die in a motorcycle accident. The PA insurance rider, though, has nothing to do with treatment coverage. If AD&D coverage is important to you while riding your bike, some companies do provide 100% accidental death and dismemberment coverage for bike accidents.

any recommendations for an insurance company/office in Chalong/Rawai?

just need to have basic/government insurance + 3rd class for an 10 year old suzuki caribian sporty.

was checking the Viriyah Insurance office near chalong circle but this guy didn´t seem to be very interested and wasn´t competent at all!

any suggestions?

thnks a lot

Forget about trying to find a local insurance office that will insure your bike. You really don't have a lot of options for bike insurance. Don't run around from insurer to insurer trying to find the coverage you want - it will only frustrate you. Find a competent insurance broker to help you. When you finally do get the insurance you want you will be given a telephone number to call for support whenever you need it. That number should be good anywhere in Thailand. Okay, yeah, I know some bike insurers, but if I told you who they were I'd have to kill you (joking). Thaivisa should be able to help you, though.

It is very difficult to obtain 1st Class Comprehensive coverage for motorbikes in Thailand. For small bikes under 250 cc it is almost impossible. Self-insuring against bike damage might be a better option. Expanded 3rd Party liability coverage is a much more important need for you.

One insurer, though, will sell 1st Class Comprehensive to you if you purchase other insurance (homeowners, renters, etc.) along with the bike insurance. Thaivisa can get it for you.

The bike insurance you can purchase in Thailand is intended to cover medical care for the injured 3rd party, not for you. If you want to cover your medical bills you should have your own personal health insurance. Think about liability protection when you buy bike insurance. The non-compulsory plans also provide bail bond protection.

If the other party is at fault, they have to pay for damage to you and your bike, whether they have insurance or not. Call your insurance company to deal with them, and notify the police.

firefan

This is the beginning of his 3rd month in the icu and looks set to spend another 2. Unfortunately he got a rare viral infection that affects the nervous system so he's pretty much paralysed and on a lifesaver machine. Aslso with he breakdown in his body other problems set in so there has been a couple of other surgeries...All this just adds up and I should rephrase... it will cost him B4 m by the end of this month...

Aha! Now the facts come out. Four months in Intensive Care Unit means that he has been receiving intensive around the clock medical care for four months. That kind of care is very, very expensive - don't blame the high cost on the hospital, in this case. Yes, there may have been cheaper hospitals he could have gone to. But, this is not a "sock-it-to-you" thing. The cost is reasonable for that kind of care.

One million baht coverage should be adequate for most high cost treatment needs, possibly 2 million just to be extra safe - with the increasing cost of medical care in Thailand. BUT in the very worst case scenario, (like your friend is experiencing, unfortunately) a long term stay in the hospital requiring constant medical care and supervision over many months could cost 5 to 10 million baht.

I am very greatful to BBC for clearing up the confusion I had over what was happening last night. Why the sudden violence? It was caused by Samak supporters. I guess Samak got what he wanted. There is no hope for a peaceful compromise. There never has been. We are dealing with a battle of egos, supported by the simple people who follow them, for love or money. Who will finally be the winner? Certainly not the Thai people.

I have just skimmed the replies - so I may be repeating some of them.

1. SSI coverage is very good, depending on the hospital you get. Some facilities are very poor and way over extended.

2. They will also pay for treatment at other hospitals, but the amount they will pay is very small compared to what they will pay at your designated hospital.

3. As a rule, imported medicines are not covered, nor are expensive procedures that can be handled in a less costly way, such as Hormone Replacement Thereapy.

4. The cost of the insurance is determined by your salary. Most expats end up paying 750 baht per month, the maximum.

5. If your employer is enrolled in the system you must pay for the coverage, whether you want it or not. Some expats just accept it as a cut in pay and then go out and get their own coverage. But...many expats are quite happy with the program.

6. You can't take the coverage with you if you leave your participating employer.