Travel Insurance for a Thailand Vacation (2024) (2024)

Use the table below to compare costs and coverages of the top travel insurance companies for a trip to Thailand:

Americans visiting Thailand should consider travel insurance, even though the country does not require it. A Thai vacation can be expensive, requiring trans-Pacific airfare, hotel stays, and transportation within the country. Also, the State Department warns travelers that U.S.-based health insurance may not work and that many medical treatment providers in Thailand only accept cash payments.

Events in Thailand beyond your control could interrupt your trip. For example, floods can occur due to heavy rains in both the north and south of the country, and riots and protests are possible during elections. These issues, alongside the dangers of road and water travel, could leave you with sunken costs or pricy medical bills if you do not have a travel insurance plan.

You may have some trip cancellation coverage from the credit card used to purchase your tickets or make reservations, and your U.S. health insurance could pay for certain overseas emergencies. You need to confirm this and use travel insurance to fill the gaps and limit risks.

Here are the five types of travel insurance you might need.

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

Cancel for any reason (or CFAR) coverage is different from standard trip cancellation insurance. As the name suggests, you do not have to provide a reason before you cancel your trip when you have this type of insurance policy.

A traditional travel insurance policy has exclusions. For example, you may not be able to cancel unless you have a verifiable illness or if your destination experiences a natural disaster. Scheduling issues or a change of mind are unlikely to be covered by insurance.

Because of the costs of long-haul flights and hotels or vacation rentals in Thailand, CFAR coverage can be a worthwhile addition to a standard travel insurance policy.

Gear Theft Protection

The State Department lists crimes like bag or backpack snatching, pick-pocketing, and non-violent robbery as among the most common problems for tourists in Thailand.

Gear theft protection insurance covers your camera, phone, laptop or other electronic devices.

Other travel insurance policies may have gear protection coverage. However, you could find limits in the fine print. For example, the policy might cap payouts for gear theft at $1,000.

Gear theft protection insurance is worthwhile if you bring lots of devices or equipment, and their value is higher than the coverage amounts on your other travel policies.

Medical Emergency Insurance and Emergency Medical Evacuation

Medical expenses can have a real impact on your Thailand vacation. Travelers have to pay for all medical care costs received at local Thai hospitals, and many of these places only accept cash payments. The U.S. Embassy does not assist or provide care, so travelers with healthcare emergencies need to pay out of pocket or use travel medical insurance.

Travel insurance for medical emergencies covers care for an accident, injury or unexpected illness. In some cases, you might decide you need to return home to get better care. Medical evacuation coverage pays for the flight to a hospital in the U.S. or another location with the level of medical service you need. This policy may also cover repatriation if you die during your trip.

Rental Car Protection

Thailand’s leading newspaper, the Nation, counted 939,713 road accidents in the country in 2022. Rentals in the U.S. are often covered under your vehicle insurance policy, or the agency lets you purchase insurance when you rent. This is not the case in Thailand, meaning you may be liable for repairs.

The State Department warns that rental scams involving all types of vehicles are common in Thailand. You may be stuck with a bill for repairs for seemingly minor scratches or dents.

Rental car protection can help protect against major accidents and annoying minor damage claims.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance covers the cost of your tickets, reservations, and other pre-booked parts of your Thailand vacation. However, the insurance company only covers cancellations beyond your control.

Here are examples of acceptable reasons to cancel a trip:

• A jury duty summons or a subpoena to appear in court
• A death in the family
• An unexpected illness requiring treatment or ongoing care
• A natural disaster or unrest in your destination in Thailand
• Military deployment

You need to read the fine print when you buy travel insurance. Policies don’t usually cover pre-existing conditions or known medical problems. Also, coverage does not necessarily depend on price. Cheap travel insurance options may offer the same limits as more expensive options, so it always pays to look at the fine print.

Travel insurance costs can vary depending on the type of medical coverage or cancellation insurance you need. Travel insurance costs also vary based on your home state, your exact insurance requirements, trip costs and other factors. If your itinerary includes other countries, like Singapore, Malaysia or Cambodia, the premiums will be different. You can learn more about the cost of travel insurance here.

We requested quotes from ten travel insurance companies for their most affordable plan for a trip to Thailand. The below quotes are for a 30-year-old traveler from Florida, traveling to Thailand for ten days in September 2024, with a total trip cost of $4,000. Policies include coverage for cancellations, interruptions, delays, medical care and evacuation.

These quotes were collected in April 2024 for a trip in September 2024.

The best travel insurance for your Thailand vacation will depend on the protection available through other sources. Though comprehensive travel insurance policies provide medical and cancellation coverage, you may already have one or the other without knowing it.

Here is a list of potential coverage you might already have.

• A credit card sometimes offers trip cancellation insurance if you use it to book your airfare, hotel and any other expenses charged to the account.
• Your home health insurance policy may provide some protection when you travel overseas. You can inquire about emergency care and evacuation coverage for Thailand.
• Airlines may allow you to purchase cancellation insurance during booking.

Try to avoid redundant insurance, which is when you pay twice for the same coverage. For instance, if your credit card offers trip cancellation insurance, you do not need to purchase it from an insurer. You would only need to purchase an emergency medical and evacuation policy.

The State Department publishes information about travel risks in Thailand. Except for times of protest, such as those that occurred in 2014, Thailand is usually at a Level 1 travel advisory, meaning it is safe to visit if you take normal precautions.

Some areas of southern Thailand near the Malaysia border experience insurgencies, causing Level 2 or 3 advisories. However, other areas remain at Level 1 barring natural disasters.

Here is a look at the normal steps you need to take to ensure your Thailand trip is as safe as possible.

Crime and Safety

Thailand experiences lower crime rates than the U.S., even in major cities like Bangkok and Pattaya. However, petty crimes, which include pick-pocketing, bag snatching and other forms of non-violent robbery, can be common.

Securing the things you carry and not flashing Thai baht (THB) when making purchases can go a long way toward protecting you from theft. Also, you should agree on the price when traveling by motorcycle taxi or tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw) or only use metered taxis because overcharging scams are widespread.

Violent crimes are rare, but when they happen it is usually late at night and involves lone travelers, drunk tourists, or people who get separated from their companions. You should always remain in well-lit, high-traffic areas and stay with companions when out at night.

Day Trips, Tours, and Excursions

Safety standards can vary in Thailand. Some unique excursions, such as parasailing, elephant treks, jungle hikes, ziplining and diving experiences require skilled guides and organizers who take steps to make everything safe.

Recommendations from trusted friends, hotel concierges and reputable tourist offices can help you avoid unsafe or unproven tour operators. Even if you get recommendations, it’s often good to confirm the operator’s reputation online.

Statistics compiled by the Bangkok Post before the coronavirus pandemic found that 83 tourists died in 2016, with road accidents, swimming and boating accounting for half the fatalities. Tourists should take extra precautions when taking part in these activities.

COVID-19

According to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, the government has also ended all Thailand’s COVID pandemic requirements, including proof of vaccination for travelers arriving from the U.S. This includes insurance with COVID-19 coverage.

Due to the cost of intercontinental airfare, the risks from traffic, political unrest, natural disaster and general dangers, travel insurance is worth it for those visiting Thailand.

As a tourist visiting Thailand, you need to carefully research coverage options to ensure you have the protection necessary to deal with the risks, disruptions and cancellations. If the unforeseen happens, you’ll be covered, and even if it doesn’t, you will have peace of mind in knowing that you are protected.