Travel insurance for Thailand

Australia has no Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Thailand. This means you can’t access subsidised emergency healthcare in this country. However, your travel policy may be able to ensure you receive medical treatment for urgent health conditions without having to worry about the costs.

If a tragedy occurs overseas, your travel insurance policy could also provide compensation if you suffer permanent disability or pay this money to your family in the event of your accidental death. Without travel insurance, any medical costs you incur overseas have to be paid out of pocket.

Something may happen on your trip or back home that forces you to abandon your holiday. If this is the case, your insurer may cover your return and other related trip cancellation and amendment fees.

Here are some examples of when you could be covered if you need to cancel some or all of your trip:

• You or a travel companion requires repatriation or emergency medical evacuation due to a serious medical condition
• A family member’s illness or death requires you to fly back immediately
• Your home in Australia is severely damaged by a natural disaster.

If your belongings are stolen, damaged or lost on your Thailand holiday, you may be able to make a claim provided you report the incident as soon as possible (preferably within 24 hours) to your insurer and the local police. Many insurance policies will also cover the cost of replacing travel documents such as lost passports or visas.

If you’re delayed and miss something important on your itinerary, your policy may cover the lost deposits, cancellation fees and other similar expenses.

Natural disasters in Thailand can also strike at any time. You may be covered for any cancellation fees relating to a natural disaster in Thailand, so it’s a good idea to make sure you read the PDS to understand the cover that’s included in case of a natural disaster.

Your travel insurer may not automatically cover you for adventure activities like scuba diving, trekking or kayaking, which are popular in Thailand. However, many insurers instead offer this cover as an optional extra you can purchase to add to your policy.

Generally speaking, Thailand can be a safe place to visit if you exercise some common sense. Although, you should always check for travel advice or warnings for your destination on Smartraveller before leaving home and while you’re there.

Petty theft, such as pick-pocketing, is common in Thailand, especially in cheap accommodation and busy areas like markets. Keep valuables and personal effects locked up, safe and out of sight (e.g. hotel safes) and be constantly vigilant when in transit. When you go out, be aware that drink spiking is particularly common in the night-time entertainment zones in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.

You need a current Australian driver’s licence to drive a car in Thailand and a motorcycle license to drive a motorbike or scooter. However, some rental car agencies may require an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead, which is effectively a translation of your original licence. You can apply for an IDP online.

You may have to pay an excess if you damage your rental vehicle. However, your travel policy may pay or contribute to the excess, depending on your level of cover. However, this is for cars only, not two-wheeled vehicles.

Travel insurance also typically doesn’t cover medical care if you get into an road accident in Thailand while on your motorcycle, scooter or moped unless you have purchased an appropriate motorcycle and scooter add-on to your policy. However, your insurer won’t cover any medical claims at all if you drive without a license or appropriate headgear and have an accident. This cover is especially important if you plan on riding around Bangkok or other Thai cities, as roads in Thailand are not for the faint of heart.