Is covid insurance still mandatory for all ?

[The Theory]

I'm on non-o (800,000) extension and planing to get a "re-entry" permit and have a long trip (5 months) to the US in Jan 2022. 
Do I have to get covid insurance when I'm returning to Thailand (vaccinated in Thailand) ? 
 

 

Edited October 13, 2021 by The Theory

[eisfeld]

I was required to have insurance when entering on a re-entry permit into the Phuket sandbox.

[Swiss1960]

Neither my crystal ball nor my tea leaves could tell me what the Thai government will do next week, let alone mid of next year

[cdemundo]

I am wondering about insurance requirement for next year as well.

I think we just gotta wait and see.

 

[Enzian]

Would someone please link the contacts of the standard insurance companies that the Thai government accepts for the COE entry insurance? Or at least the ballpark costs for different age groups and different time frames, 30 days to a year? I'm out of the country (in USA), and to renew my Non-O in person (the only way I assume) I will have to return a couple of weeks before it rolls over on Dec. 20, which is about the same time I turn 82. If these onerous requirements are not dropped, I may just let it expire and wait till some time next year.

[nkg]

38 minutes ago, Enzian said:

Would someone please link the contacts of the standard insurance companies that the Thai government accepts for the COE entry insurance? Or at least the ballpark costs for different age groups and different time frames, 30 days to a year? I'm out of the country (in USA), and to renew my Non-O in person (the only way I assume) I will have to return a couple of weeks before it rolls over on Dec. 20, which is about the same time I turn 82. If these onerous requirements are not dropped, I may just let it expire and wait till some time next year.

 

Here's a link to 3 of the Thai covid insurance companies:

 

https://asq.in.th/thailand-covid-insurance

 

 

Edit: The policies above only cover you up to the age of 75. Here's a link to a company that accepts people up to the age of 99:

 

https://covid19.tgia.org/

 

Edited October 13, 2021 by nkg

[ThaiVisaCentre]

3 hours ago, nkg said:

 

Here's a link to 3 of the Thai covid insurance companies:

 

https://asq.in.th/thailand-covid-insurance

 

 

Edit: The policies above only cover you up to the age of 75. Here's a link to a company that accepts people up to the age of 99:

 

https://covid19.tgia.org/

 

Thanks for the advice, we have added the TGIA policy to the tool as well for those over 75 years of age.

[nkg]

48 minutes ago, ThaiVisaCentre said:

Thanks for the advice, we have added the TGIA policy to the tool as well for those over 75 years of age.

 

Excellent - you added that quickly ????

[Sheryl]

8 hours ago, Enzian said:

Would someone please link the contacts of the standard insurance companies that the Thai government accepts for the COE entry insurance? Or at least the ballpark costs for different age groups and different time frames, 30 days to a year? I'm out of the country (in USA), and to renew my Non-O in person (the only way I assume) I will have to return a couple of weeks before it rolls over on Dec. 20, which is about the same time I turn 82. If these onerous requirements are not dropped, I may just let it expire and wait till some time next year.

The Thai government will accept any insurance company provided it issues a statement that you are covered for COVID for at least $100K.

 

It is not necessary to have a stand alone COVID policy. Gneeral health insurance that does not exclude COVID will suffice, if you can get the necessary statement from the insurer. Some people have used travel insurance policies.

 

If you do have to get a COVID-only policy, the main thing affecting cost is the duration. The shortest you can get is 30 days. If you arrive 30 days or less before your current permission to stay expires then you will need only 30 days.

[OJAS]

I think that we can all say with supreme confidence that the 100k USD COVID insurance requirement will still be in force come June 2022 when the OP is scheduled to return from his trip to the States. In fact I strongly suspect that it could eventually become a permanent requirement for foreigners intending to enter (or re-enter) Thailand under the so-called post-COVID "New Normal".

Edited October 14, 2021 by OJAS

[Enzian]

Thanks nkg. What is a little strange about that tgia site is that they quote a price (1260) after asking the term (eg, 90 days) and one's visa status (as Non-O retirement) but before asking one's age. But I will say that at the beginning they quote a range of prices for each term, and that 1260 was the highest possible for 90 days, so ok.

If I do come back early Dec., 90 days is my likely stay. But on another thread I read that the insurance is supposed to cover the period one is stamped in for; so say I came in Dec. 7 and my visa says good to Dec. 20, would I be stamped in to Dec. 20 2021? Which would be nice but doesn't make much sense. Thanks for any response, you or others.

I take note of Sheryl third paragraph above citing a reason to only have to buy 30 days insurance in some cases (as mine perhaps). Much thanks.

Edited October 14, 2021 by Enzian
additional info

[The Theory]

9 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Personally I think they will drop it within the next 6 months.

If they really open Thailand to vaccinated tourists without quarantine from Nov 1st then there should not be any mandatory covid insurance. 

[TheFishman1]

That’s COE is a pain in the butt

[PoorSucker]

https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/multi-risk-travel-insurance/

[PoorSucker]

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Some people have used travel insurance policies.

In some countries like Sweden your normal travel insurance is void as long as the Swedish government recommends against travel to Thailand.

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, Enzian said:

Thanks nkg. What is a little strange about that tgia site is that they quote a price (1260) after asking the term (eg, 90 days) and one's visa status (as Non-O retirement) but before asking one's age. But I will say that at the beginning they quote a range of prices for each term, and that 1260 was the highest possible for 90 days, so ok.

If I do come back early Dec., 90 days is my likely stay. But on another thread I read that the insurance is supposed to cover the period one is stamped in for; so say I came in Dec. 7 and my visa says good to Dec. 20, would I be stamped in to Dec. 20 2021? Which would be nice but doesn't make much sense. Thanks for any response, you or others.

I take note of Sheryl third paragraph above citing a reason to only have to buy 30 days insurance in some cases (as mine perhaps). Much thanks.

 

Yes, if you arrive on Dec 7 and your visa or re-entry permit (as the case may be) expires Dec 20, you will be stamped in until Dec 20 only. How long you plan to stay is irrelevant, it is how long you are legally entitled to stay under the current permission. You would then need to extend your stay in-country, for which COVID insurance is nto required.

[StayinThailand2much]

1 hour ago, PoorSucker said:

https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/multi-risk-travel-insurance/

Has this insurance got a track record of being accepted for entering Thailand?

[HappyExpat57]

I posted a similar question yesterday and now this is my understanding of the current situation:

 

1) Medical insurance NOT necessary for Non-O retirees

2) Covid insurance IS mandatory, and you can get a one year policy for under $100 USD

 

HAVING SAID THAT - a recent announcement just came out that COE's may be replaced by something called the "Thailand Pass." Will this change 1 & 2 above? Only the magical thinking of the prohibitionist junta will tell.

[Salerno]

18 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Has this insurance got a track record of being accepted for entering Thailand?

Yes,

[Paradise Pete]

12 hours ago, ThaiVisaCentre said:

Thanks for the advice, we have added the TGIA policy to the tool as well for those over 75 years of age.

What tool is that?

[nkg]

 

It's worth pointing out that not every insurance policy provides asymptomatic cover for COVID.

 

From https://asq.in.th/thailand-covid-insurance

 

 

 

Quote

 

What happens if I test positive?

 

If you test positive you will have to go to an AHQ hospital, and will be there for 14 days. Some of the more inexpensive policies will not cover you if you do not show symptoms. If you wish for the policy to cover both scenarios please look for policies which covers asymptomatic cases.

 

 

 

 

[nkg]

19 minutes ago, Paradise Pete said:

What tool is that?

https://asq.in.th/thailand-covid-insurance

[Moncul]

The pretty picture of the new ThailandPass they announced today - to replace COE - suggests that Covid Insurance is still required.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

On 10/14/2021 at 11:37 AM, The Theory said:

If they really open Thailand to vaccinated tourists without quarantine from Nov 1st then there should not be any mandatory covid insurance. 

 Note the last FAQ question and answer on the Thai insurance website listed above:

 

"Will COVID-19 insurance be required for the Quarantine Free entry?

 

The the best of our knowledge the answer is YES, but this may be subject to change."

 

https://asq.in.th/thailand-covid-insurance

 

 

[turgid]

The Covid cover required seems to have dropped from $100K to $50K in the most recent announcements.

However it looks like the post covid insurance is being steered towards a compulsory $100K of medical insurance for everyone ( which presumably wiil include Covid)  entering Thailand by plane.

[ubonjoe]

38 minutes ago, turgid said:

The Covid cover required seems to have dropped from $100K to $50K in the most recent announcements.

That is correct but so far not mentioned on the covid 19 insurance site. I assume it be available by November 1st.

 

38 minutes ago, turgid said:

However it looks like the post covid insurance is being steered towards a compulsory $100K of medical insurance for everyone ( which presumably wiil include Covid)  entering Thailand by plane.

That is only for those with Non-OA long stay visas for retirement issued after October 1st of this year.

[thaiman]

If entering on a 60 day tourist visa, is 60 day coverage required? or can get just 30 days instead?

[Salerno]

60 (unless you have a flight out prior).

[bennn]

The no-asymptomatic coverage sounds like a total waste of time. Surely worth paying the extra 600 baht in case you test positive without symptoms and end up in hospital for 14 days. If you don't get asymptomatic you would have to pay for the hospital fees I believe

[mtls2005]

It sounds like the OP will be returning in May/June 2022?

 

Do people think this insurance requirement will remain in place forever? Might it be dropped at some point?

 

And why the decrease from $100,000 to $50,000?

 

And is it reasonable to expect that the premiums will halve as well?