Please Convince Me To Buy Travel Insurance

[RoastLamb]

I've travelled quite a bit over the last few years and have had travel insurance for probably 80% of that time, but never needed it. Now I'm heading over to Thailand for a while and I've become very complacent to the point where i am probably not going to buy any, or if I do it will only be for the first few weeks so that i am covered until I get settled in.

I know this is bad. I'd really appreciate it if somebody could tell me a travel insurance horror story, or something, that will convince me to part with my hard earned cash to cover me for the full length of the trip.

Thanks

[mpetersen]

I've travelled quite a bit over the last few years and have had travel insurance for probably 80% of that time, but never needed it. Now I'm heading over to Thailand for a while and I've become very complacent to the point where i am probably not going to buy any, or if I do it will only be for the first few weeks so that i am covered until I get settled in.

I know this is bad. I'd really appreciate it if somebody could tell me a travel insurance horror story, or something, that will convince me to part with my hard earned cash to cover me for the full length of the trip.

Thanks

Yes, my business partner's wife had a heart attack while in Thailand on a 3-week visit just about 2 years ago. Surgery, complications, flight home...Probably "only 70K USD" in Thailand which would have cost 500,000 in the States, but it's 70K he didn't have to cover out of his own pocket.

With good travel insurance you get better service (The hospital knows they are covered), have no delays, and most plans cover for annual insurance for unlimited trips of, say 30-day length. I am paying less than $200 for an annual plan covering me and my family! It's just not worth thinking about.

Doesn't take much to get clipped by a car, step on a coral, fall down a slippery step, eat some really bad food, catch H1N1 in a bad way, or any other number of things.

I think the whole thing answers itself, really.

[GungaDin]

Just visit the orthopedic ward of any hospital in Thailand, if the scene there doesn't convince you of the need for travel insurance, nothing will.

You don't need to ride a m/c to injure yourself in Thailand.

[game4shame]

I know of a guy who got pi55ed up and lost a leg in a motorbike crash on one of the south islands - eventually had to be flown to bkk for treatment. he had no insurance and apparently the bill ran into hundreds of thousands of THB.

my annual policy is approx B2500 - limited to 60 days cover, but if you need a longer term I suggest you weigh up the pros and cons of shelling out a few thousand baht for a policy against a few hundred thousand baht bill if the 5hit hit's the fan.

it happens.

[endure]

Just let us know which ward you're in and we'll send you a bunch of grapes.

[geriatrickid]

Do a search in TV. There's the story in Phuket of the kid that suffered a serious head injury and resultant coma and brain damage. No insurance. They were organizing pub fundraisers for him. If you have the money, then take the risk. If you cannot afford the expense, then forgo the night in a pub to pay for the medical insurance and party with no worries following that.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Do a search in TV. There's the story in Phuket of the kid that suffered a serious head injury and resultant coma and brain damage. No insurance. They were organizing pub fundraisers for him. If you have the money, then take the risk. If you cannot afford the expense, then forgo the night in a pub to pay for the medical insurance and party with no worries following that.

Sound advice.

[cyb]

You do not say how long you are staying, If you did i missed it.

You might want to consider Thai insurance if you intend to stay a long time.

Benefits of thai insurance are you do not pay out and then claim it back, Also this should not happen but it does. A hospital will look, ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh insurance thai very good. lol

But on the whole do not stay here without insurance, thats a no no.

[harrry]

I know of a guy who got pi55ed up and lost a leg in a motorbike crash on one of the south islands - eventually had to be flown to bkk for treatment. he had no insurance and apparently the bill ran into hundreds of thousands of THB.

my annual policy is approx B2500 - limited to 60 days cover, but if you need a longer term I suggest you weigh up the pros and cons of shelling out a few thousand baht for a policy against a few hundred thousand baht bill if the 5hit hit's the fan.

it happens.

Does your =insurance cover youif you are....1 riding pissed and 2 not having a valid motorcycle licence issued in your own country.

[lioness]

An aquaintance of mine was on a 12 month holiday here, he hired a motorbike so he could get around, he had a car run into him and he was rushed to hospital, very serious injurys, he had no insurance and 2 hospitals wouldn't look at him without Insurance.

His family got together sorted out the money side of it, but the final bill was over 2 million Baht and has consequently caused financial hardship for him and his family at home. In Australian terms it is about $65,000 (depending on the exchange rate), he could have had 12 months travel Insurance for around $850.

I guess if you don't want to buy Insurance then you take the risk, Murphys law really.

[Old Croc]

It begs the question:

If you are staying for a long(ish) term in Thailand with the intent of moving towards permanency, at what stage do you stop paying travel insurance and private medical coverage in your home country and get Thai insurance?

[kurnell]

My local insurance covers me for every country excpet Japan, US and Hong Kong. And it ain't expensive.

[stiggy]

Look forward to reading the thread on help, Im stuck in a govt hospital with no money and need assitance.

Seriously If you cant afford insurance you cannot afford not to have it.......

Lots of storys as I worked as a medic and saw the diference insurance makes over and over.

For eg

Shattered jaw (bike) got fixed but cheap surgery etc and now looks like herman munster.

Standard Head injury dead after everyone argued over who would pay for evac.

Spinal injury wheelchair bound same thing as above.

If all you are left with is a HUGE bill you cant pay your lucky.

Whats your next topic.........can some one convince me to wear a condom when shagging Bargirls as i find them uncomfortable ?

[tartempion]

It's a no brainer, year long travel coverage is easy to get, I have it over 20 years, pay 140 euros/year 1.5 million euro medical coverage world wide for travels not exceeding 180 days, then need to be 14 days in home country. Thus I stay in Thailand 5 months and get "home" for 1 month.

Had a myocardial infarct in Thailand 10 years ago, do you want to pay that out of your pocket?

Bumrungrad invoice was +200K, insurance company sent cardiologist over to repatriate me and paid business class one way ticket (and return for the cardiologist)

Those who travel without insurance are idiots

[SantiSuk]

The main points seem to be:

* If you are rich it makes no sense to insure unless you are completely risk averse. It must be the case that on average you lose money paying an insurer - if he has the same costs as you (and that is a debatable if) - otherwise he would not make a profit. So if you have loads of spare money then insure. If you do not have spare money you would be barking mad not to take out insurance.

* But take out a policy that covers your length of stay. Many cheaper insurance policies cover only 31 days and some will have a maximum number of days away per year

I get free insurance with my HSBC Premier current account in the UK but it is limited to 31 days a trip. [it did pay out incidentally when I claimed for lost money and stuff from a Thai hotel safe (broken into by staff)]. More recently I am here for up to 2 months and take the risk cos I have the spare cash and my family is increasingly over here, so what's the sense in repatriating to the UK?

I have Two questions:

* Does anyone have any experience of an insurer checking the length of stay? I guess that for a big claim the insurer will want to see the passport stamps.

* What medical conditions does anyone know about where you can only get good treatment in falang land? Perhaps I should start a new thread on that one.

[Old Croc]

It's a no brainer, year long travel coverage is easy to get, I have it over 20 years, pay 140 euros/year 1.5 million euro medical coverage world wide for travels not exceeding 180 days, then need to be 14 days in home country. Thus I stay in Thailand 5 months and get "home" for 1 month.

Had a myocardial infarct in Thailand 10 years ago, do you want to pay that out of your pocket?

Bumrungrad invoice was +200K, insurance company sent cardiologist over to repatriate me and paid business class one way ticket (and return for the cardiologist)

Those who travel without insurance are idiots

Did I understand correctly? You pay only 140 euros a year to cover travel up to 180days at a time? And, after being at home for 14 days that same 140e then covers you for the rest of the year?

If correct that would certainly be a no brainer to keep yourself insured, providing the travel home every 5 months is not too onerous.

I presume you are from a Scandanavian country? Nothing that cheap available in OZ.

[Old Croc]

My local insurance covers me for every country excpet Japan, US and Hong Kong. And it ain't expensive.

From your Nik I presume you are an aussie? Care to share what insurance company you use?

[Jiu-Jitsu]

The main points seem to be:

* If you are rich it makes no sense to insure unless you are completely risk averse. It must be the case that on average you lose money paying an insurer - if he has the same costs as you (and that is a debatable if) - otherwise he would not make a profit. So if you have loads of spare money then insure. If you do not have spare money you would be barking mad not to take out insurance.

* But take out a policy that covers your length of stay. Many cheaper insurance policies cover only 31 days and some will have a maximum number of days away per year

I get free insurance with my HSBC Premier current account in the UK but it is limited to 31 days a trip. [it did pay out incidentally when I claimed for lost money and stuff from a Thai hotel safe (broken into by staff)]. More recently I am here for up to 2 months and take the risk cos I have the spare cash and my family is increasingly over here, so what's the sense in repatriating to the UK?

I have Two questions:

* Does anyone have any experience of an insurer checking the length of stay? I guess that for a big claim the insurer will want to see the passport stamps.

* What medical conditions does anyone know about where you can only get good treatment in falang land? Perhaps I should start a new thread on that one.

Don't take the risk. Don't be a chump in order to save a few pounds. There are annual policies available that cover you for up to 90 days per trip. For the sake of £50 to £75 per year, it is a false economy not to cover yourself.

[smokie36]

I've travelled quite a bit over the last few years and have had travel insurance for probably 80% of that time, but never needed it. Now I'm heading over to Thailand for a while and I've become very complacent to the point where i am probably not going to buy any, or if I do it will only be for the first few weeks so that i am covered until I get settled in.

I know this is bad. I'd really appreciate it if somebody could tell me a travel insurance horror story, or something, that will convince me to part with my hard earned cash to cover me for the full length of the trip.

Thanks

Hospital costs approx 30000 baht a day or double that for a serious head injury etc.

Medical repatriation? You could always sell your house I suppose.

If you haven't left the gas on that is.

[ged]

I was sat at a roadside cafe in Pattaya when a motorbike was hit by a car and then crashed into me breaking my leg, it had to be pinned and I had to extend my stay in LOS, my insurance company organised and paid for everything including a business class flight home.

Cost for premium 15 GBP, I canr imagine what the bill would have been if I had to pay myself.

A year or so later I had to have my appendix removed again all taken care of after a phonecall, cost was 22 GBP.

[RoastLamb]

Thanks guys. These figures are crazy. One accident could literally take a lifetime to pay back.

So I will get insurance, but now which?

I'll be using Thailand as a base for a few trips around South East Asia, but mainly staying in Thailand, and I anticipate staying for something like six months.

Previously I've used World Nomads, today they're quoting me around £150, which seems reasonable (when put into context).

I'm interested in Thai Insurance if it turns out to be cheaper. Can someone explain how Thai Insurance works for a foreigner?

[GungaDin]

^^^ You don't know how fortunate you are to even be able to get insurance cover!

We old bastards, 60+ , find it nearly impossible to get any cover.

[tartempion]

Did I understand correctly? You pay only 140 euros a year to cover travel up to 180days at a time? And, after being at home for 14 days that same 140e then covers you for the rest of the year?

If correct that would certainly be a no brainer to keep yourself insured, providing the travel home every 5 months is not too onerous.

I presume you are from a Scandanavian country? Nothing that cheap available in OZ.

Absolutely,

Not Scandinavian, Belgian contract, they must be active in other European countries?

see http://www.europ-assistance.be/F/produit/prestige for details, in French though

and for the 180 days coverage it's possible to extend beyond 180 days by paying a certain premium, but travelling to Belgium every 5 months suits me well, regardless cost:

3° Voyage de plus de 6 mois à l'étranger

Les déplacements à l'étranger sont couverts par le présent contrat. Lorsque le déplacement

à l'étranger excède 6 mois consécutifs, les événements donnant lieu aux prestations

garanties sont exclusivement ceux qui surviennent avant l'expiration des premiers 6 mois.

Les retours de moins de 15 jours ne seront pas considérés comme interruptifs de la

période de 6 mois.

Si vous désirez prolonger votre garantie au-delà de 6 mois, vous en avez la possibilité par

périodes d'un mois supplémentaire moyennant le paiement d'une prime qui vous sera

communiquée sur simple demande avant l'expiration du délai. Cette prime sera également

payable avant l'expiration du délai.

To the OP:

I don't think Thai insurance will be cheaper, depending your age and coverage premium will be from 20K baht upwards.

I know an older guy, +65 years old who pays in excess of 60K Baht and you can't subscribe when +60

Also don't think any Thai company will cover for 1.250.000 euro medical costs (+60 million Thai Baht)

[smokie36]

Thanks guys. These figures are crazy. One accident could literally take a lifetime to pay back.

So I will get insurance, but now which?

I'll be using Thailand as a base for a few trips around South East Asia, but mainly staying in Thailand, and I anticipate staying for something like six months.

Previously I've used World Nomads, today they're quoting me around £150, which seems reasonable (when put into context).

I'm interested in Thai Insurance if it turns out to be cheaper. Can someone explain how Thai Insurance works for a foreigner?

Check out moneysupermarket.com basic insurance should be around £60-70.

[ThaivisaInsurance]

^^^ You don't know how fortunate you are to even be able to get insurance cover!

We old bastards, 60+ , find it nearly impossible to get any cover.

Old at 60+ ? no just starting life

Thai Visa Insurance can offer Travel cover up to 85 year olds should you so wish ?

[GungaDin]

^^^^ Link please, I'm 66

[kosh]

Absolutely,

Not Scandinavian, Belgian contract, they must be active in other European countries?

see http://www.europ-assistance.be/F/produit/prestige for details, in French though

and for the 180 days coverage it's possible to extend beyond 180 days by paying a certain premium, but travelling to Belgium every 5 months suits me well, regardless cost:

To the OP:

I don't think Thai insurance will be cheaper, depending your age and coverage premium will be from 20K baht upwards.

I know an older guy, +65 years old who pays in excess of 60K Baht and you can't subscribe when +60

Also don't think any Thai company will cover for 1.250.000 euro medical costs (+60 million Thai Baht)

Europe Asistance in Italy costs around 250E for max 3 month trip.

No insurance over 6 month, technically after 6 month you are resident in another country

I've checked BUpa and the non resident plan for 6 month costs for 50year around 20.000b, max coverage only 1mil b,aht not cheap.

[Rinrada]

Got Annual TI for both of us for £80 specs 60 day max per joli and also covers US/Canada.

For an extra 20 can get a Priority Card for the Airport Lounges (15 notes a visit)

[canopus1969]

Absolutely,

Not Scandinavian, Belgian contract, they must be active in other European countries?

see http://www.europ-assistance.be/F/produit/prestige for details, in French though

and for the 180 days coverage it's possible to extend beyond 180 days by paying a certain premium, but travelling to Belgium every 5 months suits me well, regardless cost:

To the OP:

I don't think Thai insurance will be cheaper, depending your age and coverage premium will be from 20K baht upwards.

I know an older guy, +65 years old who pays in excess of 60K Baht and you can't subscribe when +60

Also don't think any Thai company will cover for 1.250.000 euro medical costs (+60 million Thai Baht)

Europe Asistance in Italy costs around 250E for max 3 month trip.

No insurance over 6 month, technically after 6 month you are resident in another country

I've checked BUpa and the non resident plan for 6 month costs for 50year around 20.000b, max coverage only 1mil b,aht not cheap.

You should try Thai Visa Insurance - their Broker got me a BUPA 6 month travel plan for 6,000 Baht and that was 2m Baht coverage

[kosh]

Europe Asistance in Italy costs around 250E for max 3 month trip.

No insurance over 6 month, technically after 6 month you are resident in another country

I've checked BUpa and the non resident plan for 6 month costs for 50year around 20.000b, max coverage only 1mil b,aht not cheap.

You should try Thai Visa Insurance - their Broker got me a BUPA 6 month travel plan for 6,000 Baht and that was 2m Baht coverage

I did, Thaivisa give me the standard Bupa Sunshine plan at 20.000. I will not travel outside thailand, so i need coverage only in the country.

For traveling around Europe Assistance is still better even if outside Belgium they cost 5 times more...strange contry Belgium..