I am retiring to Thailand and will buy a used Mercedes Benz. Probably 2002 - 2008 model C Class. My query is will I be able to get class 1 insurance (fully comprehensive covering my car and the other car regardless of who is at fault). I believe Thai insurance companies are reticent to insure cars over 10 years old. Is this so?

My old Benz is insured by MSIG. Others did not want to insure my E220 W124 1994

 

Once cars get older than about 7 years, its difficult to get 1st Class insurance on them.

 

That said, its not impossible, shop around, but we aware of the restrictions (i.e. some insurance companies offering 1st class insurance on older cars may only honour repairs at specific garages etc).

 

The best option is to go through a broker - they'll likely come back with some options.

 

 

The other point is: The value of a 2002-2008 C-Class Merc is about 150,000 to 300,000 baht.

Is 1st class insurance something you need on it ??? 

 

 

On 3/14/2024 at 5:50 AM, richard_smith237 said:

Once cars get older than about 7 years, its difficult to get 1st Class insurance on them.

Who told you that Dicky?

 

Not in my experience it's not.

On 3/14/2024 at 4:50 PM, richard_smith237 said:

The other point is: The value of a 2002-2008 C-Class Merc is about 150,000 to 300,000 baht.

Is 1st class insurance something you need on it ??? 

 

The car I am looking at is a W203 C32 AMG - about THB 700,000

5 hours ago, wozzlegummich said:

On 3/14/2024 at 12:50 PM, richard_smith237 said:

The other point is: The value of a 2002-2008 C-Class Merc is about 150,000 to 300,000 baht.

Is 1st class insurance something you need on it ??? 

 

The car I am looking at is a W203 C32 AMG - about THB 700,000

 

 

In that case, I can understand why you'd want 1st class insurance... 

 

I've used the same insurance broker for about 15 years... Always reliable and provides a range of options. 

 

We just renewed our insurance, she did the taxi, Por-ror-bor and 1st Class insurance in one sweep and she'll remind us each year as the renewal time approaches. 

 

Once you get your car - PM me and I can forward her contact details. 

Her English isn't great and my Wife deals with her all the time now, but I used to deal with her years ago and she was very helpful. 

 

 

 

 

On 3/16/2024 at 2:27 PM, PJ71 said:

Who told you that Dicky?

 

Not in my experience it's not.

It can be. We were told that once our (new) car was 7 years old, we would no longer be able to get First Class. So we changed insurance, and the car is now 11 years old, despite having been to the garage for dents four times (dogs and one somnolent motorcyclist). 

On 4/11/2024 at 9:40 AM, cooked said:

It can be. We were told that once our (new) car was 7 years old, we would no longer be able to get First Class. So we changed insurance, and the car is now 11 years old, despite having been to the garage for dents four times (dogs and one somnolent motorcyclist). 

Well, after 14 years with the same Ins company with Fully Comp Insurance on my Pick-up, after going to renew yesterday, we were told your Pick-up is now 20 years old and the Company will not give Fully Comp any more, only Third Party, what a bummer, Its not the pick-up I worry about, Its the exorbitant claims people (Thai)

can make from a Farlang after a serious accident.     

6 hours ago, himmel said:

Well, after 14 years with the same Ins company with Fully Comp Insurance on my Pick-up, after going to renew yesterday, we were told your Pick-up is now 20 years old and the Company will not give Fully Comp any more, only Third Party, what a bummer, Its not the pick-up I worry about, Its the exorbitant claims people (Thai)

can make from a Farlang after a serious accident.     

 

That’s really not a concern, is it? Your third-party insurance would cover any claims made by another party. In other words, your policy would take care of damage to someone else’s vehicle if you were found at fault - but not your own.

 

Conversely, if another driver were at fault, their insurance should cover your damages - assuming, of course, that they actually have insurance.

If they don’t, that’s a whole different issue, and pursuing payment from them can quickly become a messy affair.

 

Speaking from nearly 30 years of experience here, I’ve generally found the police here to be fair when handling such incidents.

 

There’s a perception among some that “the farang is always at fault”, but I haven’t found that to be true.

When stories arise of foreigners being blamed, in my opinion it often comes down to simple economics: the wealthier party tends to settle quickly as the path of least resistance. The same would likely happen to a Thai in a similar situation - it’s rarely about race, more about practicality and money / socio-economics.

 

 

20 hours ago, himmel said:

Well, after 14 years with the same Ins company with Fully Comp Insurance on my Pick-up, after going to renew yesterday, we were told your Pick-up is now 20 years old and the Company will not give Fully Comp any more, only Third Party, what a bummer, Its not the pick-up I worry about, Its the exorbitant claims people (Thai)

can make from a Farlang after a serious accident.     

 

You can still purchase third party liability insurance which will cover you for your legal liability for property damage and bodily injury to other parties if you are at fault. 

 

The main coverage you will be losing by no longer having first-class coverage is for damage to your vehicle.

14 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

That’s really not a concern, is it? Your third-party insurance would cover any claims made by another party. In other words, your policy would take care of damage to someone else’s vehicle if you were found at fault - but not your own.

 

Conversely, if another driver were at fault, their insurance should cover your damages - assuming, of course, that they actually have insurance.

If they don’t, that’s a whole different issue, and pursuing payment from them can quickly become a messy affair.

 

Speaking from nearly 30 years of experience here, I’ve generally found the police here to be fair when handling such incidents.

 

There’s a perception among some that “the farang is always at fault”, but I haven’t found that to be true.

When stories arise of foreigners being blamed, in my opinion it often comes down to simple economics: the wealthier party tends to settle quickly as the path of least resistance. The same would likely happen to a Thai in a similar situation - it’s rarely about race, more about practicality and money / socio-economics.

 

 

 

I agree.  It isn't about Thai or non-Thai, it's about who has the ability to pay, or perhaps who has first-class insurance and who doesn't.

13 year old Vigo, 1st class via Roojai.

Never made a claim so who knows if it is any good.

All these car insurance questions can be answered with "it depends". Change the company, move to another town... you'll get told a different story.

We have a 2011 S Class, it’s very low kms and all original paint. When we purchased it had 1st class insurance and no problem at renewals. Going to put it up for sale soon. It was chauffeur driven until my wife purchased.

On 9/19/2025 at 7:21 AM, KannikaP said:

13 year old Vigo, 1st class via Roojai.

Never made a claim so who knows if it is any good.

Unfortunately after 50 years of motoring I had my first ever accident a few months back.....8 years with Roojai and their claims service was very efficient 👍

7 minutes ago, petermik said:

Unfortunately after 50 years of motoring I had my first ever accident a few months back.....8 years with Roojai and their claims service was very efficient 👍

 

 

That is good to hear.

 

 

(Roojai service, not your accident)