British tourists to Thailand: Are you really covered? Travel insurance warning for medical emergencies

[webfact]

 

by Tara Abhasakun

 

British tourists travelling to Thailand are being warned that their travel insurance policies may not cover them in the event of a medical emergency. Most travel insurance is not designed to cover life-saving operations or expensive repatriation, Pattaya Mail reported yesterday.

The Association of British Insurers pointed out that 17% of all overseas claims are rejected due to lack of documentation, and the average payout for successful claims is just over £1,000. Insurers mainly pay out on small issues such as lost luggage or booking cancellations, rather than medical emergencies.

According to the award-winning blog Travelbunny, insurance failures are often due to the small print in policies, which is there to protect the company’s funds. For example, in 10 road accidents, five British tourists were refused cover because they were not wearing a crash helmet. Two were participating in hazardous sports such as elephant trekking or bungee jumping. Two were relying on British driving licences, which are not lawful in Thailand. One had been out of the UK for more than 30 days.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/british-tourists-travel-insurance-in-thailand-may-not-be-enough-for-serious-operations

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-10

 

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[scubascuba3]

Article is just wrong, easy to get enough travel insurance incl repatriation. Ensure risky activities are included and if riding a motorbike are legal

[ukrules]

26 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Article is just wrong, easy to get enough travel insurance incl repatriation. Ensure risky activities are included and if riding a motorbike are legal

Sure, but they sell a huge amount of over the counter policies in the UK which are almost worthless - this is the problem.

 

The idiots going on holiday will buy the cheapest policy possible and think they're all good - they don't know any better.

 

[scubascuba3]

Just now, ukrules said:

Sure, but they sell a huge amount of over the counter policies in the UK which are almost worthless - this is the problem.

 

The idiots going on holiday will buy the cheapest policy possible and think they're all good - they don't know any better.

 

You can't fix stupid sadly but the comparison sites make it easy to choose

[still kicking]

7 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

You can't fix stupid sadly but the comparison sites make it easy to choose

I am not British but I have top class insurance so were does that leaves me 

[harleyclarkey]

Start your insurance journey with;

The purpose of any insurance company is to decline your claim and maximise their profits. 

You have a chance to succeed if you really persist. I did....twice. 

 

Stupid, stupid declines over obviously genuine claims. I made a formal complaint to the UK Head Office and lo and behold....an immediate settlement,  an apology plus €200 extra.

 

 

 

[harleyclarkey]

What we see here is mostly scooter/motorcycle accidents. A recent go fund me for £200,000 - really??? ????

Stupid to rent a bike anywhere in the world without at least a helmet. 

Stupid of any country to allow bikes to be rented without providing a helmet.

Stupid of any police force not to fine idiots with no helmet. 

[Trip Hop]

19 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Sure, but they sell a huge amount of over the counter policies in the UK which are almost worthless - this is the problem.

 

The idiots going on holiday will buy the cheapest policy possible and think they're all good - they don't know any better.

 

There are quite a few that fall into this category but don’t tar everyone with the same brush.

 

Most policies along with flights and holidays are bought online these days so not really over the counter. With the insurers that I use, everything is straight forward. Simple table of the 4 levels of cover available containing a summary of the differences between them. Click one button to see the full policy schedule for each which is straight forward to read and doesn’t contain any real small print as such. And before you ask, yes they do pay out!

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

British tourists travelling to Thailand are being warned that their travel insurance policies may not cover them in the event of a medical emergency. Most travel insurance is not designed to cover life-saving operations or expensive repatriation, Pattaya Mail reported yesterday.

Best not come to Thailand then, considering the likelihood of an accident and the inflated hospital charges.

[IrishInThailand]

Yes for sure most insurance comps will try to not pay..... e.g 30 days max cover.(but i only going for 31 days) .. High blood pressure you didn't declare and got stroke....... bye bye .... license uk, no license Thai(rental company said I was OK? ) ...... check the small print or use gofundme

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, still kicking said:

I am not British but I have top class insurance so were does that leaves me 

In the clear?

[ukrules]

7 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Best not come to Thailand then, considering the likelihood of an accident and the inflated hospital charges.

Indeed, the Foreign Office should put out a warning stating this.

 

[Andycoops]

Unfortunately is all down to a lack of research and education on the part of tourists who just sign up, probably online, for the cheapest cover and then break the law 

by not wearing a crash helmet and engage in dangerous activities.

 

 

 

[2baht]

Word of warning! Avoid motorcycles and mini vans!

[SunnyinBangrak]

Some 35 years ago with nothing to read on a Thai island I pulled out the travel insurance package from my backpack and had a read. Turned out any accident involving anything with an engine was not covered. $1,000 down the drain and never bought travel insurance again - apart from when forced during the pandemic. 

[WHansen]

Insurance companies globally (not just British) are thieves and deliberately hide what's not covered, wether it be home, vehicle, business, health or travel insurance.

 

Yes, everybody should read and understand the policy they are purchasing but it can be a minefield if you are not fairly well educated or too young to understand that insurance is legalised robbery.

The insurers will do everything in their power to avoid paying out.

 

[bluejets]

1 hour ago, harleyclarkey said:

Stupid to rent a bike anywhere in the world without at least a helmet. 

Stupid of any country to allow bikes to be rented without providing a helmet.

Stupid of any police force not to fine idiots with no helmet. 

Moreso for the person involved not to get the appropriate international licence to begin with.

It's widely known these days and so no excuse for being a dumbass.

[Captain Monday]

39 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Some 35 years ago with nothing to read on a Thai island I pulled out the travel insurance package from my backpack and had a read. Turned out any accident involving anything with an engine was not covered. $1,000 down the drain and never bought travel insurance again - apart from when forced during the pandemic. 

Exactly, As I am already insured I only ever bought useless and redundant "travel insurance" except when Thailand required it including covid.  Reading the policy details left me with same affect, countless exclusions. Medical evacuation as only needed to the nearest point of service where treatment could be provided. Maybe repatriation, of your remains in a mortuary urn?

 

I have seen an accident insurance advertisement somewhere  that claims actually covers these medically assisted flights back to home country to continue treatment. That might be worth investing in but I have never seen the details of such a policy.

 

 

 

[Mike Teavee]

56 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Indeed, the Foreign Office should put out a warning stating this.

 

The FCO puts out a pretty strict warning about riding a motorcycle in Thailand 

 

 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/safety-and-security
 

 

[ChipButty]

I have my daughter coming to Phuket next month, I've been chasing her over the insurance she did book the holiday through TUI she paid extra for the insurance, Also important she has a 2 year old daughter and she's pregnant again, she wasn't pregnant when she booked so I made sure she declares that, I just wanted to make sure everything is covered while she is here, We have an emergency number to call here and they will take care, I don't want her having to pay any hospital bills up front and claim when she gets home, 

[ChipButty]

10 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

The FCO puts out a pretty strict warning about riding a motorcycle in Thailand 

 

 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/safety-and-security
 

 

Not many people read that, 

[mikebell]

1 hour ago, Andycoops said:

engage in dangerous activities.

like breathing or crossing the road.

[kennw]

2 hours ago, harleyclarkey said:

What we see here is mostly scooter/motorcycle accidents. A recent go fund me for £200,000 - really??? ????

Stupid to rent a bike anywhere in the world without at least a helmet. 

Stupid of any country to allow bikes to be rented without providing a helmet.

Stupid of any police force not to fine idiots with no helmet. 

And to allow rental of bikes without a legal license, butTIT.

[herfiehandbag]

2 hours ago, still kicking said:

I am not British but I have top class insurance so were does that leaves me 

With a nice warm slightly moist feeling in your underpants whilst contemplating others' misfortunes!

[soi3eddie]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Best not come to Thailand then, considering the likelihood of an accident and the inflated hospital charges.

Indeed, the Foreign Office should put out a warning stating this.

 

Would love to see the TAT and diplomatic reaction to that!

 

The insurer's will use any excuse to deny paying a claim. What if breaking a leg but not wearing a helmet and no head injury? Suppose they'd still refuse to pay for treating the leg.

 

 

[sqwakvfr]

All insurance policies have two basic sections: 1) Perils, what is covered 2) Exclusions, what is not covered.  Guess which part is bigger?  Yes, Exclusions.  The general rules for insurance coverage are:

1) It has to be an accident or an accidental occurrence

2) The policy holder must take all precautions to prevent the accident

*This means nothing that can be interpreted as being risky or dangerous such as bungee jumping, riding an elephant or even riding on a motorcycle without a helmet, driving under the influence  or the infamous “catchall clause” which means any insurance company can deem any activity as risky or dangerous.

 

In essence all insurance companies can find a way out of paying on claims or minimize the amount they pay.  

 

On that note enjoy your holiday.  

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

There wouldn't be many surprises if people would read and understand the terms and conditions of an insurance policy, preferably before purchasing it.

 

The insurance industry does not use "small print" to describe a policy's terms, conditions and exclusions. These clauses are printed using the same size type as the rest of the policy and it is disappointing to see the media perpetuate this trope. Those citing "small print" are those who didn't bother to read their policy before they purchased it.

 

Insurers have every right to impose limitations on what they will cover and I don't think it should surprise anyone that hazardous activities like bungee jumping or motorcycling without a helmet would be excluded. Insurers are well aware of the frequency and severity of injuries involving these pursuits, certainly more so than most of those who would undertake them.

 

Purchasing a policy online directly from an insurer may be convenient, but this means that the policyholder won't have the assistance and commercial influence of a major insurance broker behind them if they have issues with claims. When I worked for an insurer, one of the first questions raised when there was an issue with a claim was "who is the broker". The insurer did not want to jeopardize the relationship with the broker, so would take a more favorable view towards paying the claim from the outset.

 

It does matter which insurance company you use. Coverages can vary as can claims-paying ability and attitude. A good broker will steer their clients towards insurers that treat their clients and their claims fairly and professionally. 

 

A policyholder should not hesitate to approach the insurance regulator if their claim has been denied incorrectly.

[geisha]

What about crossing the road in Thailand, no crosswalks or ones that do not function. Two very serious accidents on Theppraya Theprassit crossings last month. Hit and run.  I often cross there, it’s chancing your life each time , if someone stops for you it’s a foreigner. 2 nd road pattaya crossings ?? What about all the illegal car and bike rentals, no insurance etc, the jet ski accidents which have thank’god fallen due to very good bad publicity ? Private hospitals over charging by huge amounts ? I have personally  witnessed the prices charged for innocent people involved in an accident , astronomical ,  albeit very well treated by said hospital. 

[Mike Teavee]

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

Not many people read that, 

One of the major points in your insurance policy is to check the FCO site before travelling if for no other reason than if there is a travel advisory against travelling there then your insurance is void. 
 

But I guess if people don’t buy insurance or can’t be arsed to even 1/2 read their policy then they’ll not know & it will all be somebody else’s fault for not putting it in flashing lights for them.
  

[koolkarl]

Governments, banks and insurance companies all have the same brain.  To get you to part with your money.  Insurance companies are not running a charity and have some pointed out, they cover themselves quite well. 

Then you have the solvency issue of the insurance company itself.  If you can self insure, do it.