I'm looking for an outfit from which to buy the health/Covid insurance.

[AlaskaDave]

I'm trying to get back into Thailand before Nov 14th, which is when my re-entry permit expires. I'm ready to buy a ticket and reserve a room in an ASH+ hotel but I am having trouble finding the correct insurance. Most of the companies mentioned on this forum don't cover a person who is 78 years old. I have a valid O-A visa based on marriage. It also expires on Nov 14th.

 

While the TGIA site does offer insurance for older people, their offering is still for the $100K, not the newer %50K version. So, in short, is there anybody out there who is my age or older and has purchased the US50K insurance that will allow my re-entry?

 

I reckon I could just pay for the more expensive insurance but I'd hate to give an insurance company any more than I absolutely have to.

 

Thanks in advance.

[night_rider]

I can't speak to age but you may try this resource:

 

https://misterprakan.com/en/

 

Now they also are still 100k policy limits. I'm guessing their new policies will take some time to trickle out. 

[notrub]

Try this one.  I paid 15k THB for 1 year.  Will issue foreign policy document.  Not sure about age limit but think it is ok for you.  Quite fast response.

Soraphak Khaengkhandee

Specialist

Tune In Now!

 

          

 

Tune Insurance Public Company Limited.

3199  Maleenont Tower, 14^th Floor

Rama IV Road,  Khlong Tan, Klong toei

Bangkok  10110. Thailand

Office: +662 078 5668 Ext: 668

Email: [email protected]

www.tuneinsurance.co.th |Facebook.com/tuneinsuranceThailand

 

https://www.tuneprotect.co.th/en/product/coronavirus-covid-19-insurance

 

Good luck!

[ubonjoe]

16 minutes ago, AlaskaDave said:

Most of the companies mentioned on this forum don't cover a person who is 78 years old. I have a valid O-A visa based on marriage.

Not sure what you have since there no such visa as a OA visa based upon marriage.

Did you apply for a extension of stay based upon marriage instead retirement for a permit to stay based upon marriage.

If that is correct you only need the covid 19 insurance since medical insurance is not required when you enter the country.

[notrub]

I just posted for TUNE insurance.  All that junk in the middle is just links to FB Twitter etc.  

 

The phone number works and they speak English.  Call centre is 1183 and I spoke to Arunee and she speaks excellent English.   

[AlaskaDave]

@ubonjoe
 

I don't know the correct nomenclature for these damn visas. It's one of the issues that keeps me (and others I bet) in constant confusion. I had a visa extension based on retirement for several years. In 2018 I got married to a Thai woman after which I put 400K in Bangkok Bank and obtained a visa based on marriage. As to what it's called or what the "official" designation for it is — who the hell knows? My visa agent calls it a Non-O?, but is it really an O?, O-A?, <deleted>? Even the Youtuber lawyer from Integrity Legal in Bangkok tried to explain it all in a video it but admitted the distinctions between them were a bit nebulous. Unfortunately, where before it didn't matter what one called it, now it is something you need to be sure about.

@notrub: I'll try Tune insurance, Thanks.

[jackdd]

6 minutes ago, AlaskaDave said:

As to what it's called or what the "official" designation for it is — who the hell knows?

It's written in your passport, so not difficult to figure out.

[AlaskaDave]

@jackdd

I guess you're right but it wasn't obvious. None of my renewal stamps for the past few years had any reference to a visa type. Then I looked back at the original visa stamp issued in 2012 and there it says "Non-O". However, my 2020 re-entry permits has the type "Non-Imm".

I reckon because most of the stamps in my passport are for extensions, they don't display a visa type.

 

Thanks. I learned something today.

[AlaskaDave]

1 hour ago, notrub said:

I just posted for TUNE insurance.  All that junk in the middle is just links to FB Twitter etc.  

 

The phone number works and they speak English.  Call centre is 1183 and I spoke to Arunee and she speaks excellent English.   

I've tried the phone number in that email for Mr. Soraphak Khaengkhandee but nobody answered. I tried to fill out an online application form on their website but the cost came out too low, 1100 baht, unless it was for one month. There was no place on the application to provide a length of coverage nor was it specified anywhere that the calculated charge was for a certain length of time.  I'll keep trying to contact them.

 

 

[notrub]

27 minutes ago, AlaskaDave said:

I've tried the phone number in that email for Mr. Soraphak Khaengkhandee but nobody answered. I tried to fill out an online application form on their website but the cost came out too low, 1100 baht, unless it was for one month. There was no place on the application to provide a length of coverage nor was it specified anywhere that the calculated charge was for a certain length of time.  I'll keep trying to contact them.

 

 

I will try the number for you.  Also the call centre.  Do you call using skype or some other online calling service?  I took my cover for 1 year at 15,000 THB, why not?  I cannot get any other insurance as I am 73.  I also have an 'O' visa NOT 'O'A.  My visa does not require health  insurance but the OA does.  You cam PM me if you prefer.  It is 10:55 HR here at the moment. 

[AlaskaDave]

8 minutes ago, notrub said:

I will try the number for you.  Also the call centre.  Do you call using skype or some other online calling service?  I took my cover for 1 year at 15,000 THB, why not?  I cannot get any other insurance as I am 73.  I also have an 'O' visa NOT 'O'A.  My visa does not require health  insurance but the OA does.  You cam PM me if you prefer.  It is 10:55 HR here at the moment. 

I called using Skype as I'm in the U.S. right now. The phone at 662 078 5668 rings but nobody answers. I tried the number posted on the website (662 078 5656) but that one is not working. I also sent an email asking for clarification.

As for the 15K baht, that isn't horrendous but it is not clear to me how the price I was quoted makes sense given what you're saying. Also, I'd rather not pay for a whole year until I have to next September. I need coverage for only a couple months at the present time.

 

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

Edited November 2, 2021 by AlaskaDave
clarification

[notrub]

I am trying to call and no pickup for me also.  Will try later.  I am in Thailand now planning a short trip to France. They are a real company and responded quickly once I got through to them.  You can try the call centre at 1183, press 9 for english then wait until it says put in the ext #.  668 is sorophak, the international 'specialist'  She did not pick up.  Will try again, maybe it is lunch or just very busy with the 'open Thailand' <deleted>.  btw, in one part of information it states that there is a 1 week delay.  This is not true.  It starts immediately so don't worry about that. 

[Digitalbanana]

2 hours ago, notrub said:

Not sure about age limit but think it is ok for you. 

When I last looked at Tune the limit was 60yo? the op says 78yo?

[notrub]

1 minute ago, Digitalbanana said:

When I last looked at Tune the limit was 60yo? the op says 78yo?

Under the 'Policy Wording' it shows:

8.2 The insured person year in which the Insured is 99 years old

 

I take that to mean they accept up to 99 yrs old persons.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, AlaskaDave said:

@jackdd

I guess you're right but it wasn't obvious. None of my renewal stamps for the past few years had any reference to a visa type. Then I looked back at the original visa stamp issued in 2012 and there it says "Non-O". However, my 2020 re-entry permits has the type "Non-Imm".

I reckon because most of the stamps in my passport are for extensions, they don't display a visa type.

 

Thanks. I learned something today.

You have an extension of stay based on an original non-O (not O-A) visa and a re-entry permit.  

 

You need $50,000 of overall health insurance (not just COVID insurance) to enter and it needs to be valid through November 14 which is how long you will be stamped in for initially.

 

 

[notrub]

30 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

You have an extension of stay based on an original non-O (not O-A) visa and a re-entry permit.  

 

You need $50,000 of overall health insurance (not just COVID insurance) to enter and it needs to be valid through November 14 which is how long you will be stamped in for initially.

 

 

My plans have changed but I was issued a COE for travel b4 the 01 11 21 'freedom day' based on the 1 year TUNE covid insurance policy.  For 3,500,000 THB cover. (cost 15,000 THB) I have an 'O' visa and have been told that with this visa general health insurance is not a requirement.  I am 73.

[Sheryl]

2 minutes ago, notrub said:

My plans have changed but I was issued a COE for travel b4 the 01 11 21 'freedom day' based on the 1 year TUNE covid insurance policy.  For 3,500,000 THB cover. (cost 15,000 THB) I have an 'O' visa and have been told that with this visa general health insurance is not a requirement.  I am 73.

 

it was not required before for COE but apparently now is ($50k worth) under the ThailandPass "test & go" system.

[WhiteBuffaloATM]

Recommend In Country Broker Use in all cases of Insurance purchase  valid for Thailand.

Eric Dohlon. Swedish/ Thai Expert Insurance Broker.

 

Thai Visa Acronyms in table on thai embassy websites. I never use it. Use of non- immigrant visa terms Work / Retirement / Marriage / Education is clear, with permanent residency  being “Immigrant”.

[Enzian]

9 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

it was not required before for COE but apparently now is ($50k worth) under the ThailandPass "test & go" system.

So in effect this change from "Covid only" to "general health including Covid" has happened in just the past few days, correct? You do say "apparently", so when might this be absolutely clear? This will affect a lot of people returning if I'm not mistaken. I have a plan to re-enter in December two weeks before my Non-O would expire. I'm 81, is such insurance available to me?

[Wydahoan]

Imglobal.com

they have $50,000 option, and I know a friend who is 82 was able to get insurance. Also has deductible options to lower premium. 

Edited November 2, 2021 by Wydahoan

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Enzian said:

So in effect this change from "Covid only" to "general health including Covid" has happened in just the past few days, correct? You do say "apparently", so when might this be absolutely clear? This will affect a lot of people returning if I'm not mistaken. I have a plan to re-enter in December two weeks before my Non-O would expire. I'm 81, is such insurance available to me?

It is a recent change, yes, came in when the new rules for Nov 1 were announced.

 

It is clear it should be general health cover, not only COVID. It is not yet clear, at least to me, what sort of documentation you need to provide but that should start to be evident as people gradually enroll in the Thailand Pass system.

 

There are expat health policies available to 81 year olds (if no major pre-existing conditions). But they are costly.  Travel insurance might be a better option, google travel insurance for seniors.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Wydahoan said:

Imglobal.com

they have $50,000 option, and I know a friend who is 82 was able to get insurance. Also has deductible options to lower premium. 

I just checked this and it will only cover up to $10,000 for people over 79

[The Fugitive]

12 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I just checked this and it will only cover up to $10,000 for people over 79

Thanks for your advice and efforts Sheryl. We really do need to keep up-to-date and carefully check the wording of policies. Worrying times for many of us! 

[Enzian]

Re: Sheryl.   As I understand it, I would only need coverage for the period I am stamped in, which is determined by the ending date of one's re-entry permit (Dec. 20 '21 in my case.) Is that still the same and correct? So then the question is, a company that has a 30 day option. But the travel insurance suggestion is helpful, assuming the Thai system recognizes it.

[Wydahoan]

 

I just checked this and it will only cover up to $10,000 for people over 79

 

Sorry, don’t want to post bad information, whatever he purchased was able to get him into Thailand back in September, didn’t sound too expensive either. 

[AlaskaDave]

Wow, thanks to all for the advice. The Imglobal insurance at 8700 baht for 60 days is actually fairly affordable if you select the $1000 deductible option and are under 79 years of age. I'm 78 so that will work for me this time. I'll call them to see if they can supply a certificate that will detail the coverage in a way acceptable to Thai Immigration. I understand they don't accept any PDFs so I'll need to check further with the company.

@Wydahoan Thanks very much for this information. I wonder if you know what sort of proof of insurance your friend received from the company?

[night_rider]

To the issue of the USD 50,000 maximum coverage...

 

I exchanged emails today with Mister Prakan. They indicate that most policy offerings are still at the USD 100k level because of the recent change and new policies must be approved by the Insurance commission in Thailand. They estimated that new policies at that level might receive approval by mid month.

[Wydahoan]

Here is a copy of his letter. Will post contact next. 

[Wydahoan]

He was quite happy with this plan, and said the lady was very helpful. 

[AlaskaDave]

@Wydahoan

Thank you for the information. I purchased the insurance offered by IMG (Imglobal) and it was a very smooth procedure. They provide a confirmation letter and ID card as soon as the contract is paid for (as can be seen in Wydahoan's reply above). They are both in PDF format so I'll have to photograph them for uploading to the Thailand Pass system but that's easily done. I would recommend others under the age of 79 to check out this company.

Now, I'll be able to buy tickets.

Thanks very much to all contributors to this thread.

Edited November 2, 2021 by AlaskaDave
clarification