Health Insurance - International

[TimF]

Hi,

 

I am a British citizen about to retire to Thailand - arriving visa exempt then getting Non-O based on retirement.

 

I do want health insurance and have investigated the Thai options, however it looks like I can get better (Worldwide) coverage applying in the UK via an international health care insurer.

 

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Is it generally better to get a Thai insurance policy eg LMG, Pacific Cross etc or are these international worldwide insurers just as good? The international insurer I have found seems to offer much higher level of cover, is worldwide and accepts pre-existing conditions for a lower (or similar) premium to the Thai insurers

 

Any thoughts or experience much appreciated

 

Kind regards

Tim

 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

Non-Thai insurers tend to offer a bit broader coverage with higher limits and are more professional when it comes to claims-paying approach than Thai insurers. They're also usually subject to a stricter level of regulation and better consumer protection laws.

 

Thai insurers tend to exclude almost all types of pre-existing conditions. Some non-Thai insurers may cover some pre-existing conditions subject to premium loading.

 

I would suggest you work with a good insurance broker to find a good solution. Note that insurance brokers based in Thailand may not be able to help with non-Thai insurance policies since they are prohibited by local regulations from doing so.

[Sheryl]

Agree with the above.

 

In addition, you should be aware that Thai insurers can and often will raise rates on an individual basis if you have a claim.  These are on top of age related increases and inflationary adjustments and many people end up priced out at an age where they can no longer get a new policy.

 

Insurers based in Western countries are not allowed to do this.

 

I frankly cannot think of a single advantage to Thai insurers vs international expat policy. 

 

 

[NickyLouie]

So basically Thai Insurers are scum ?