Travel Insurance

[KannikaP]

I have just booked flights to UK and back via Dubai. I am now looking for Travel Insurance, looking at Bolttech, MSIG, True and Bangkok Bank's offerings. But it is so complicated with greatly differing coverages, plans and Premiums.

Would a policy cover me for any accident or illness occurring BEFORE i fly on 28th March? Any experts out there please.

One company told me that coverage would only start ONE HOUR before my flight time. I would have already checked in and gone through Immigration by then, crazy!

[Will B Good]

Using your credit card coverage, usually begins immediately after you purchase the trip (e.g., flights, hotels, or vacation packages).

 

This applies to cancellations due to covered reasons occurring before your departure.

 

Other coverages (e.g., Baggage Delay, Travel Delay, Accident, or Medical Insurance) coverage generally starts when your trip begins, such as the moment you leave your home to travel to the airport or start your journey.

 

Unless someone can name a particularly policy they've used it seems a bit of minefield.

[Phillip9]

Travel insurance is basically a scam.  It's not well regulated and they try everything not to pay even if you have a valid claim.  Better to just save the money and self insure.

[msbkk]

33 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

I have just booked flights to UK and back via Dubai. I am now looking for Travel Insurance, looking at Bolttech, MSIG, True and Bangkok Bank's offerings. But it is so complicated with greatly differing coverages, plans and Premiums.

Would a policy cover me for any accident or illness occurring BEFORE i fly on 28th March? Any experts out there please.

One company told me that coverage would only start ONE HOUR before my flight time. I would have already checked in and gone through Immigration by then, crazy!

If you buy travel insurance usually the policy will be valid for cancellation (within the limits of the policy bought) immediately. But other coverages like accident or sickness will normally be only covered during your trip, not before that.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

Here's an excerpt from the trip cancelation/postponement section of a travel policy issued by the local operation of a multinational insurer.  

[KannikaP]

23 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Using your credit card coverage, usually begins immediately after you purchase the trip (e.g., flights, hotels, or vacation packages).

 

This applies to cancellations due to covered reasons occurring before your departure.

 

Other coverages (e.g., Baggage Delay, Travel Delay, Accident, or Medical Insurance) coverage generally starts when your trip begins, such as the moment you leave your home to travel to the airport or start your journey.

 

Unless someone can name a particularly policy they've used it seems a bit of minefield.

Checked my C Cards, and they only insure flights originating in UK.

N'wide, Virgin, Lloyds, B'card. 

[Will B Good]

5 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Checked my C Cards, and they only insure flights originating in UK.

N'wide, Virgin, Lloyds, B'card. 

 

Good spot.....never thought of that.....they are always looking for an out.

[JoePai]

I always use these people in Thailand to help me though the minefield that is Insurance and am very happy with them  https://www.aainsure.net/pattaya-ps.html

[yang123]

Poser:

          Suppose you and your missus have lived in Thailand for several years.  Despite both having UK passports, apparently you aren't entitled to free NHS treatment in the event that you fall ill/have an accident while visiting the UK.  That's one good reason to have health insurance for any planned holiday there.

          Another is the current well-documented state of the NHS ER service (very long waits for ambulances, ambulances queuing to deliver patients to ERs, beds lined up in corridors after triage etc.

 

          Q: Are any Thai (or other) insurers offering coverage that guarantees admission to private UK hospitals in the event of an accident/health emergency? 

 

TIA

          

[soi3eddie]

2 hours ago, yang123 said:

Q: Are any Thai (or other) insurers offering coverage that guarantees admission to private UK hospitals in the event of an accident/health emergency? 

 

Most, if not all, UK private hospitals, do not off accident or emergency service. It could be possible to transfer once health condition stabilised. 

 

[Yagoda]

On 1/17/2025 at 4:50 PM, Phillip9 said:

Travel insurance is basically a scam.  It's not well regulated and they try everything not to pay even if you have a valid claim.  Better to just save the money and self insure.

My travel insurance plan paid me almost 25K USD for my heart attack in Bangkok. That covered my entire bill.

[scoutman360]

IMG. AIA. Can book/pay online. Download your card. I have used them both. 

[richard_smith237]

On 1/17/2025 at 4:50 PM, Phillip9 said:

Travel insurance is basically a scam.  It's not well regulated and they try everything not to pay even if you have a valid claim.  Better to just save the money and self insure.

 

Bo!!ox...   (with caveats)... 

 

When I have taken travelle insurance in the past its to cover a number of options... 

 

1) Trip cancellation insurance

2) Loss of Baggage

3) Delay insurance 

4) Injury (illness) cover while away

5) Theft of equipment

 

The cover is somewhat variable with regards to timing... 

i.e. with specific trip insurance - cover starts on the 'day of cover stating' when 'at the destination' stated in the cover. 

i.e. IF you take out travel insurance for Japan from 10th to 20th February... then your cover starts from your time of arrval in Japan on the 10th..... 

... But, if your trip is cancelled before then (i.e. through bereavement or injury / illness) the obviously you are covered and will be reimbursed for all costs.

 

 

Last year I was covered - had a sports injury - all my hospital fees were covered while overseas, when I returned to Bangkok my cover ended and my main health insurance picked up where the Travel Insurance left off.

 

World Nomads Paid out for Medical Treatment in Japan.... 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

On 1/20/2025 at 3:52 PM, yang123 said:

Poser:

          Suppose you and your missus have lived in Thailand for several years.  Despite both having UK passports, apparently you aren't entitled to free NHS treatment in the event that you fall ill/have an accident while visiting the UK.  That's one good reason to have health insurance for any planned holiday there.

          Another is the current well-documented state of the NHS ER service (very long waits for ambulances, ambulances queuing to deliver patients to ERs, beds lined up in corridors after triage etc.

 

Theoretically - with UK Nationality - the Op and his Wife (if also UK passport holder) can use the NHS without issue.

Officially, then need to be in the UK for two years - but thats never checked. 

 

However, IF caught unwell at a layover destination, then insurance cover would be useful.... 

But, does your regular Health Cover, not cover you everywhere (unless specific exclusions apply) - i.e. I'm looking at cover now and most have a 30 day emergency cover in any country (outside of USA mostly) - obviously small print*  determines the specific on this.

 

(*and before LL gets overexcited and knocks one out all over this thread - by small print I mean the colloquialism referring to terms and conditions, not the size of text).

 

On 1/20/2025 at 3:52 PM, yang123 said:

          Q: Are any Thai (or other) insurers offering coverage that guarantees admission to private UK hospitals in the event of an accident/health emergency? 

 

I'm not sure if our 'Health Cover' (insrunace) covers us for Private Treatment in our countries of Nationality - as generally, health cover us for elective treatment in our country of residence and emergency cover elsewhere - countries such as the UK have emergency treatment only at public hospitals, I'm not sure how recovery once stabilised would be handled. 

 

Someone may have experience of this and it would be very good to know.