Proton And Thanachart Insurance

[phil2]

I have the Proton Persona E20, and I think it's a great car.

The only complain I have is with the Thanachart Insurance I got with it. Since someone crashed the car, the dealership at Somdet Prachao Thaksin Rd., have been play acting about replacing the trunk, backlight, and bumper. Since I'm still running red plates, I asked for replacements, but they want to fix the bumper and probably the trunk.

So I'm confused as to their relationship with Thanachart Insurance. I thought they were supposed to replace the parts, and then send the bill to the insurance. Maybe someone can help me here.

[ThaivisaInsurance]

This highlights the problem with obtaining insurance from a "non Broker".

You are asking the Vehicle Dealership about a problem with the Insurance company where you should be talking to the insurance company direct.

As we keep suggesting on Thai Visa, use the services of an Insurance Broker - they cost not more and in case like this can help. We understand however if you buy a vehicle on extended credit, the first year one has to use the insurance company supplied by the finance house, but do change the following year to a Broker.

[aussiebebe]

I'd quite like some advice about this area; one of the 'perks' of buying a new car is getting a year's insurance for free. How does an insurance broker work? Is the broker independent or working for one particular company?

Would any broker give a comparison between different company policies? I for one, find it very difficult to annalyse the differences between policies - would a broker do this for me? How would I know which policy provided enough cover, what are the key areas to look for in a policy?

EDIT: Okay, I just read the information at

http://insurance.thaivisa.com/news/car-ins...hould-know.html

it's actually pretty helpful, so ignore the second paragraph - I'm still confused about whether brokers are impartial? they are working on commission.

[dave111223]

I have a Proton and got the first year insurance through Thanachart (it came with the car as you said).

We did not crash the car in the first year so did not need to deal with insurance. When it came time to renew we were a bit shocked to find out that Thanachart insurance doesn't actually work directly with the showroom/dealership repair shop...

So if you crash your car with Thanachart you have to bring your car to a Thanachart "authorized" repair shop...you cannot bring it to the main Proton dealership for repair...and i'm no expert but it seems like the main showroom/dealership is going to have more parts and better knowhow about their own car than some general repair shop which Thanachart has picked for you...

Needless to say we switched after the first year to Wiriya (no idea how it's spelled) who do offer repairs at the dealership. They cost a few thousand more per year, but i did scratch the wing (fender) up recently and needed painting. The dealership did an excellent job on it, and the insurance was really easy, the rep came to meet us at the showroom...no deductible to pay...

I'd recommend switch once your first year is up to an insurance company which offers proper coverage...

[ThaivisaInsurance]

I'd quite like some advice about this area; one of the 'perks' of buying a new car is getting a year's insurance for free. How does an insurance broker work? Is the broker independent or working for one particular company?

Would any broker give a comparison between different company policies? I for one, find it very difficult to annalyse the differences between policies - would a broker do this for me? How would I know which policy provided enough cover, what are the key areas to look for in a policy?

EDIT: Okay, I just read the information at

http://insurance.thaivisa.com/news/car-ins...hould-know.html

it's actually pretty helpful, so ignore the second paragraph - I'm still confused about whether brokers are impartial? they are working on commission.

Brokers : last question first, naturally we do all work on a commission, we have mouths to feed

However this works in your (the customers) favour as we need to offer the best cover for your needs and to look after you - otherwise the customer simply gives their business elsewhere.

Impartial : yes, as Brokers we can use any insurance company and as the commission levels are set by the OIC there is no need for favoritism. Saying that however, we will say there are some companies who will not help after 17.00 (no good if an accident happen at night !), some who speak no English and have their polices only in Thai and some who's claims service may not be the best.

One last point, make sure you are actually dealing with a licensed Broker - ask to see their certificate fro the OIC and check it is current as there are many small outlets who claim to be Brokers but may not be (strange as that may sound).

.............and remember as Thai Visa members you have the option of using the Thai Visa Insurance service.

[katabeachbum]

I have a Proton and got the first year insurance through Thanachart (it came with the car as you said).

We did not crash the car in the first year so did not need to deal with insurance. When it came time to renew we were a bit shocked to find out that Thanachart insurance doesn't actually work directly with the showroom/dealership repair shop...

So if you crash your car with Thanachart you have to bring your car to a Thanachart "authorized" repair shop...you cannot bring it to the main Proton dealership for repair...and i'm no expert but it seems like the main showroom/dealership is going to have more parts and better knowhow about their own car than some general repair shop which Thanachart has picked for you...

Needless to say we switched after the first year to Wiriya (no idea how it's spelled) who do offer repairs at the dealership. They cost a few thousand more per year, but i did scratch the wing (fender) up recently and needed painting. The dealership did an excellent job on it, and the insurance was really easy, the rep came to meet us at the showroom...no deductible to pay...

I'd recommend switch once your first year is up to an insurance company which offers proper coverage...

I have had excellent experience with Tanachart insurance and Toyota Phuket. All parts replaced with original Toyota and repaired by Toyota. Tanachart payed directly to Toyota.

Had bad experience with other insurancecompanies, who dont want to repair in Toyota, dont want original parts, and worst of all dont have credit in any garage. So I payed, and was lucky to get a check from the insurancecompany a month later.

A repair in Toyota garage is expensive, partly cause using original parts, partly cause they take damaged parts off the vehicle and spray them before installing them on vehicle. Just like they build new cars.

[phil2]

I have a Proton and got the first year insurance through Thanachart (it came with the car as you said).

We did not crash the car in the first year so did not need to deal with insurance. When it came time to renew we were a bit shocked to find out that Thanachart insurance doesn't actually work directly with the showroom/dealership repair shop...

So if you crash your car with Thanachart you have to bring your car to a Thanachart "authorized" repair shop...you cannot bring it to the main Proton dealership for repair...and i'm no expert but it seems like the main showroom/dealership is going to have more parts and better knowhow about their own car than some general repair shop which Thanachart has picked for you...

Needless to say we switched after the first year to Wiriya (no idea how it's spelled) who do offer repairs at the dealership. They cost a few thousand more per year, but i did scratch the wing (fender) up recently and needed painting. The dealership did an excellent job on it, and the insurance was really easy, the rep came to meet us at the showroom...no deductible to pay...

I'd recommend switch once your first year is up to an insurance company which offers proper coverage...

Thanks a lot..