Covid-19 insurance for Thai entry - international health insurance good enough?

[mran66]

Tried to look at this but did not see anything clear so asking here: 

 

I have a good international (non-Thai) health insurance and it covers covid-19 just as any other disease.

Is it good enough if I attach the policy wording and insurance certificate (which do not state anything specific

about covid-19), or I really need to spend another 1000USD for nothing for the thai-issued covid policy for meager 100kUSD?

Edited March 30, 2021 by ubonjoe
corrected typo in title (changed 10 to 19)

[ubonjoe]

It would require proof that it covered covid 19 treatment up to $100,000 or more and would include a hospital stay for a asymptomatic case. It also has to start from the day of entry.

Where are getting the $1000 for coverage number from. What length of stay are you looking at.

[richard_smith237]

Its good enough if your insurance can provide you with a certificate of cover which specifically states covid cover...i.e. something along the lines of... 

 

“Cover for treatment for medically necessary services related to Covid-19 up the annual limit of US$100,000 (or more)...  The annual limit also needs to be stated... 

 

 

[mran66]

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It would require proof that it covered covid 19 treatment up to $100,000 or more and would include a hospital stay for a asymptomatic case. It also has to start from the day of entry.

 

....hmmmm...okay this coverage for asymptomatic in a hospital maybe a tricky one...are you aware if any generic international policy actually would cover such? Or is this effectively  so that only the Thai policies  cover that?

 

some insurance site I looked showed 34000 baht for a year if understood correct

[mran66]

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Its good enough if your insurance can provide you with a certificate of cover which specifically states covid cover...i.e. something along the lines of... 

 

“Cover for treatment for medically necessary services related to Covid-19 up the annual limit of US$100,000 (or more)...  The annual limit also needs to be stated... 

 

 

 

okay...do you have personal or friend  entry experience on a specific case and specific wording that had worked?

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, mran66 said:

9 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Its good enough if your insurance can provide you with a certificate of cover which specifically states covid cover...i.e. something along the lines of... 

 

“Cover for treatment for medically necessary services related to Covid-19 up the annual limit of US$100,000 (or more)...  The annual limit also needs to be stated... 

 

 

Expand  

 

okay...do you have personal or friend  entry experience on a specific case and specific wording that had worked?

 

Here is my certificate (I have used it twice now)... If you can get something similar from your insurance you should have no issues. 

 

Edited March 30, 2021 by richard_smith237

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, mran66 said:

some insurance site I looked showed 34000 baht for a year if understood correct

What visa are you using that allows a one year stay.

On this site I chose the USA that has the about highest cost and it is "Total Premium : THB 23,040" for a year.

https://www.tipinsure.com/CovidRegional/step_1

[mran66]

8 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Here is my certificate (I have used it twice now)... If you can get something similar from your insurance you should have no issues. 

 

great, thanks a lot! Will ask

[mran66]

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

What visa are you using that allows a one year stay.

On this site I chose the USA that has the about highest cost and it is "Total Premium : THB 23,040" for a year.

https://www.tipinsure.com/CovidRegional/step_1

 

I am on non-O retirement extension (on 5th extension now)

 

been stuck without any travel since beg last year, now thinking to visit home country in EU in summer and wondering what all I need.

 

My extension expires in November, and travel would be summer, returning in September maybe. Wonder how long insurance I should buy (if my own policy would not cover for whatever reason) according to this rule, only up to extension expriry or how?

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, mran66 said:

My extension expires in November, and travel would be summer, returning in September maybe. Wonder how long insurance I should buy (if my own policy would not cover for whatever reason) according to this rule, only up to extension expriry or how?

You will only need covid 19 insurance from the day you enter the country to the day your extension expires in November since your re-entry permit will expire then.

But at this time you will need the 400/40k baht insurance for the same length of time to get a COE.

[mran66]

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You will only need covid 19 insurance from the day you enter the country to the day your extension expires in November since your re-entry permit will expire then.

But at this time you will need the 400/40k baht insurance for the same length of time to get a COE.

 

oh...hmmm...so do you know if the international health policy is good enough to cover for the 400/40 policy, or is that another farang tax for entry?

 

[mran66]

23 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Here is my certificate (I have used it twice now)... If you can get something similar from your insurance you should have no issues. 

 

 

 

did you get the COE with this same document (for the 400/40k insurance requirement)?

[ubonjoe]

15 minutes ago, mran66 said:

 

oh...hmmm...so do you know if the international health policy is good enough to cover for the 400/40 policy, or is that another farang tax for entry?

 

If you can get proof of the insurance meets or meets the requirements it can be used to get a COE.

This is what is normally needed for non Thai insurance companies. 

https://longstay.tgia.org/document/overseas_insurance_certificate.pdf

[mran66]

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

If you can get proof of the insurance meets or meets the requirements it can be used to get a COE.

This is what is normally needed for non Thai insurance companies. 

https://longstay.tgia.org/document/overseas_insurance_certificate.pdf

 

...sigh...wonder how to get this signed by a big international insurance co...

 

these insurance requirements are really a nuisance for foreigners who have a real policy with way better coverage than these local ones.

[ubonjoe]

22 minutes ago, mran66 said:

sigh...wonder how to get this signed by a big international insurance co...

these insurance requirements are really a nuisance for foreigners who have a real policy with way better coverage than these local ones.

Some embassies have accept proof of insurance without that certificate. You need to contact the one where you will applying for the COE at.

[sandyf]

19 hours ago, mran66 said:

....hmmmm...okay this coverage for asymptomatic in a hospital maybe a tricky one...are you aware if any generic international policy actually would cover such? Or is this effectively  so that only the Thai policies  cover that?

I think you will find that the insurance will say something like covered for mandatory quarantine or hospital treatment as a result of a positive covid test.

Test results are just that, symptoms or not.

[radiochaser]

I asked for and received a letter from my health insurance company with this. 
As a U.S. Federal government employee, my insurance does cover international travel.  I continued paying for the insurance after retiring and monthly payments are taken from my retirement pay.

I submitted the letter for myself and my wife, to the Thai New York Consulate as part of my COE application.  They did accept it. 

Edited March 31, 2021 by radiochaser

[travelerjim]

20 hours ago, mran66 said:

 

....hmmmm...okay this coverage for asymptomatic in a hospital maybe a tricky one...are you aware if any generic international policy actually would cover such? Or is this effectively  so that only the Thai policies  cover that?

 

some insurance site I looked showed 34000 baht for a year if understood correct

And that 34,000 year policy from LUMA/Tune insurance does cover if you test COVID

positive .. With or without symptoms. Arawan Namak is Thai agent that has helped over 1,600 Expats get the correct insurance for their CoE.

 

Fyi...she has had 12 expats test positive in ASQ...6 with symptoms...6 with no symptoms. All 12 had their hospital bills to over 250,000 Thai baht paid in full direct to the hospital by their insurance.

 

Issued thru age 74.

No deductible...

No hospital network...

All ASQ partner hospitals paid direct.

 

 

[Nakdontree]

21 hours ago, mran66 said:

for the thai-issued covid policy

It doesn't have to be a Thai insurance company. Actually, in my experience the check-in process at European airports is much more efficient if the insurance policy is written in proper English which is not always the case with Thai insurance certificate wording. (I was on a Thai Airways flight FRA-BKK just a couple of days ago).

 

I recommend you to contact your insurance company, or shop around in your home country a bit. Phone them up, and if they seem to exactly know what you talk about then go for it. In my case my travel agent pointed me at a few specialised insurance companies on the continent. The very first one I called instantly offered me a package with "... and we provide you with a letter in English stating the 100k/covid requirements for Thailand" (that was the words of the insurance agent, i.e. he already knew all the details of travelling to Thailand). I paid around 330 Euros for 274 days. For those over 65 years old the rates have to go up.

 

21 hours ago, mran66 said:

Is it good enough if I attach the policy wording

Not, it is not. At the airport, the $100k figure on that letter was checked twice, first by airport staff and later by a Thai Airways employee.

Another helpful piece of advice from my travel agent in case you apply for a new insurance contract: choose the the contract starting date to at least 1 day before your departure. This helps avoiding lengthy discussions with unexperienced check-in staff about time-of-day differences and similar issues.

[mran66]

thanks for all the comments - it seems this is an issue that just need to try-with-what-you-have and then complement by getting what you don't have based on response from embassy.

 

really seems it is best to avoid traveling anywhere out of country unless really important until the extra requirements go away.

 

[unblocktheplanet]

On 3/30/2021 at 2:39 PM, richard_smith237 said:

 

Here is my certificate (I have used it twice now)... If you can get something similar from your insurance you should have no issues. 

 

Think these policies are available to 70+?

[MJCM]

On 3/30/2021 at 2:31 PM, richard_smith237 said:

Its good enough if your insurance can provide you with a certificate of cover which specifically states covid cover...i.e. something along the lines of... 

 

“Cover for treatment for medically necessary services related to Covid-19 up the annual limit of US$100,000 (or more)...  The annual limit also needs to be stated... 

 

 

 

Honest question, how you then deal with an insurance that doesn't have an annual Limit? Mine says only "Cost Price" (and no mention of annual limit)

 

And this what they mean by that

 

Quote

Cost price
In the terms and conditions we often state that we
reimburse the cost price. By this we mean that we
reimburse the full rate charged by the health care
provider (for example, a general practitioner,
therapist or specialist) for the medical treatments.

 

[Letseng]

On 3/31/2021 at 7:17 AM, Nakdontree said:

It doesn't have to be a Thai insurance company. Actually, in my experience the check-in process at European airports is much more efficient if the insurance policy is written in proper English which is not always the case with Thai insurance certificate wording. (I was on a Thai Airways flight FRA-BKK just a couple of days ago).

 

I recommend you to contact your insurance company, or shop around in your home country a bit. Phone them up, and if they seem to exactly know what you talk about then go for it. In my case my travel agent pointed me at a few specialised insurance companies on the continent. The very first one I called instantly offered me a package with "... and we provide you with a letter in English stating the 100k/covid requirements for Thailand" (that was the words of the insurance agent, i.e. he already knew all the details of travelling to Thailand). I paid around 330 Euros for 274 days. For those over 65 years old the rates have to go up.

 

Not, it is not. At the airport, the $100k figure on that letter was checked twice, first by airport staff and later by a Thai Airways employee.

Another helpful piece of advice from my travel agent in case you apply for a new insurance contract: choose the the contract starting date to at least 1 day before your departure. This helps avoiding lengthy discussions with unexperienced check-in staff about time-of-day differences and similar issues.

Please would you share which insurer provided cover. I'm stuck in Austria and there is no way to get cover for Thailand at this time. German insurer wants 20€/day. I'm looking at nonO single entry based on retirement. Many thanks.

[Nakdontree]

 

48 minutes ago, Letseng said:

Please would you share which insurer provided cover. I'm stuck in Austria and there is no way to get cover for Thailand at this time.

I signed the insurance policy with HanseMerkur. They offer insurance policies for everyone living in Austria, Germany, Poland or Swizzerland. Their website is a bit confusing, though, as they offer 2 types of health insurances:

 

a) a standard travel insurance (1.95 Euros per day), and

b) the Long-Term Health Insurance for Abroad (1.15 Euros per day for under 65-years-old)

 

We need the cheaper one, (b), called "Lang­zeit-Auslands­kran­ken­ver­si­che­rung", see

https://www.hansemerkur.de/langfristige-auslandskrankenversicherungen

 

If you purchase online, you get an email with the insurance policy, but not the letter with the Covid $100k information, yet. You'll then get in touch with their callcentre and ask them for that letter written in English language. Two or three hours later you'll receive another email message containing the letter we need. Print it out together with your insurance policy.

[ubonjoe]

7 hours ago, Letseng said:

Please would you share which insurer provided cover. I'm stuck in Austria and there is no way to get cover for Thailand at this time. German insurer wants 20€/day. I'm looking at nonO single entry based on retirement. Many thanks.

To avoid need the 40/400k baht insurance required for the non-o visa based upon retirement you might want to consider entering visa exempt to get a 45 day entry that can be extended for 30 days. The apply for a 90 day non-o visa entry at immigration. You will need 800k baht in a Thai bank on the day you apply or proof of 65k baht income with document from your embassy here. Then you could apply for the one year extension of stay based upon retirement during the last 30 days of the 90 days.

You would only need the covid 19 insurance valid for at least 45 days. See: https://www.tipinsure.com/CovidRegional/product_detail

[eastbaybob]

On 3/30/2021 at 3:33 PM, mran66 said:

 

...sigh...wonder how to get this signed by a big international insurance co...

My insurance is blue cross in the States but their international plan. I called them up and theady I spoke to said they wrote such letters all the time.  I told them what exactly the Thai Immigration wanted and a few weeks later got the letter, a d it was just perfect.

[rimmae2]

 

Following wording was used in a letter issued by company that I have had insurance with for many years.  I don't expect that any reputable company would prepare wording for a specific individual if other persons that have policies with the company have already received COE for Thailand.

 

I had no choice what wording to use and it was of course accepted. This was back in early August 2020 (flight, but was obviously checked before then).

 

'This plan includes inpatient cover of at least USD$ 100,000 and there no specific exclusions relating to the COVID-19 virus. The policy has a minimum coverage of USD$ 100,000 covering eligible treatment and medical expenses including COVID-19 during their stay in Thailand.'

 

I should add that my policy in any case covered C-19 and there was nothing extra to pay.

[wn78]

On 3/31/2021 at 1:17 AM, Nakdontree said:

have to go up.

 

On 3/30/2021 at 3:20 AM, mran66 said:

Is it good enough if I attach the policy wording

Not, it is not. At the airport, the $100k figure on that letter was checked twice, first by airport staff and later by a Thai Airways employee.

Was that in Suvarnabhumi, or the departure airport? 

 

Even if the letter is accepted by the embassy and COE is issued, I'm worried that entry could be rejected in Suvarnabhumi because their interpretation would be different.  An airport officer will not have time to figure out the details and might just reject it if the letter does not have exactly what he's looking for, is that possible?

 

I too have insurance from a major US company and their standard letter does not conform to the requirements.  It does not state the magic 100K number but states unlimited lifetime instead, and it also does not state the dates and just states it's active now.

 

 

[Tuvoc]

4 hours ago, wn78 said:

I too have insurance from a major US company and their standard letter does not conform to the requirements.  It does not state the magic 100K number but states unlimited lifetime instead, and it also does not state the dates and just states it's active now.

 

 

 

I'd be very worried about that. 

[gt162]

5 hours ago, wn78 said:

Was that in Suvarnabhumi, or the departure airport? 

 

Even if the letter is accepted by the embassy and COE is issued, I'm worried that entry could be rejected in Suvarnabhumi because their interpretation would be different.  An airport officer will not have time to figure out the details and might just reject it if the letter does not have exactly what he's looking for, is that possible?

 

I too have insurance from a major US company and their standard letter does not conform to the requirements.  It does not state the magic 100K number but states unlimited lifetime instead, and it also does not state the dates and just states it's active now.

 

 

Same here. My insurance letter states unlimited lifetime maximum for medical and hospital expenses including covid19 treatment.  It also states pay upfront and file for reimbursement later, etc,  etc.

 

Best to attach the email and ask the Thai embassy/consulate to see if its acceptable since you can save 23K baht plus plus.

 

 

Edited April 4, 2021 by gt162