Results 1 to 23 of 23
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
    Jools's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    25-02-2024 @ 08:17 PM
    Location
    Jomtien
    Posts
    1,097

    Health insurance experiences??

    I am considering purchasing health insurance through a local expats group. Do any of the members here have experience with AXA or other Thai health insurers? I am hesitant to buy from a Thai company but BUPA and others want to charge me 800 dollars a month in premiums. Obviously, I can't do that without a gigantic hit to my lifestyle. I'd like to hear from anyone who has used the Thai companies. If necessary, message me privately. I am not unaware of the propensity of Thai companies to file defamation charges. Thanks.
    "If you kill enough of them, they stop fighting. "
    Gen. Curtis LeMay - Strategic Air Command

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    Headworx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Jomtien
    Posts
    7,981
    $800 a month seems expensive, unless you're advanced in years with a history of bad health?.

    Contact Jack at Home - Macallan Insurance Broker Co., Ltd. and see what he has to say.

  3. #3
    I'm in Jail

    Join Date
    May 2011
    Last Online
    29-04-2023 @ 08:08 AM
    Location
    Not in jail
    Posts
    7,255
    I use bupa. Covers the whole family ( 2 kids 2 adults) about $4000 a year

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
    Jools's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    25-02-2024 @ 08:17 PM
    Location
    Jomtien
    Posts
    1,097
    I am soon to be 68 and I have had prostate cancer and a brain cyst. It would appear that perhaps I am uninsurable.

  5. #5
    Member

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Last Online
    04-11-2023 @ 10:02 AM
    Posts
    584
    I think everyone above a certain age is not insurable, i was quoted 260K baht a year about 5 years ago and i only asked for a quote for my wife not myself
    Told the agent to forget it and quote for my wife only as asked to do
    Over the last five years my total hospital bill is 41K baht, saved myself 1,259M baht by self insuring
    Reading the fine print on the policy i would only be covered if hit by a crashing UFO anyway

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat
    Scottish Gary's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Last Online
    01-03-2023 @ 03:15 AM
    Location
    Flying in and flying out
    Posts
    1,355
    I know an old Aussie who lived in Pattaya for years with no health insurance. He was always lucky until one-day disaster struck and he fell and broke his hip. After getting rushed to the hospital he was dumped in the reception and allowed no further until he could prove to them he had the means to pay.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat
    jamescollister's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    29-06-2020 @ 09:33 PM
    Location
    Bunthrik Ubon
    Posts
    4,764
    I don't have health insurance, waste of money, wife and kids have AXA cover, but I had so many exclusions, age, drinker, smoker etc, that it covered nothing that I would likely be sick from.

    Accident insurance, different story, figure if you are really sick with something, good chance you can get on a plane home.

    It's those sudden death threatening accidents that leave you banged up in hospital long term that are the problem, motorbike/car crashes and the like.

    Simple and cheap cover for accidents is available, from paying the extra 400 Baht a year on your motorbike rego giving you 150,000 Baht cover, to paying the extra on your Thai ATM card for accident cover, plus master and visa cards give cover.

  8. #8
    Member

    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Last Online
    11-09-2023 @ 07:17 AM
    Posts
    64
    Quote Originally Posted by jamescollister View Post

    Simple and cheap cover for accidents is available, from paying the extra 400 Baht a year on your motorbike rego giving you 150,000 Baht cover, to paying the extra on your Thai ATM card for accident cover, plus master and visa cards give cover.

    Better read the amounts actually covered on the "150,000 baht cover" for "simple and CHEAP cover for accidents" and you will find what the company will pay for your hospital bills is more like 50,000 baht.

    It's cheap alright.

    And some or all of the policies do not allow you to have ANY blood alcohol content--that is, the policies state that if you have consumed ANY alcohol prior to the accident they will not pay.

  9. #9
    Member

    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Last Online
    11-09-2023 @ 07:17 AM
    Posts
    64
    after asking him about insurance for accidents while riding a motorbike, a AA Insurance (farang) broker in Pattaya sent me both the coverage page and the actual Policy from the company, Bangkok Insurance, their "Happy 45+" plan which states 200,000 baht Medical Expenses Per Accident. This is better than any other 'accident only' policies I have seen from Thailand. But brokers need to read the EXCLUSIONS in the policies they are selling. In fact, anyone buying insurance needs to insist to have a copy of the actual POLICY (not simply the 'amounts covered') mailed to them so you can open it and go to the EXCLUSIONS section in the actual Policy.

    I was about to buy this policy until I read under "Exclusions, Loss or Injury which Occurs: "B. While the Insured is riding or traveling on a motorcycle"

    addendum: there is a 'riding-a-motorcycle' box to check on the Application under "Additional Coverages" for the Bangkok Insurance company Happy 45+ policy. How much extra it covers and how much extra it costs is not clear to me yet. But this policy, with that box checked---plus a second policy that is 'First Class cycle insurance"---those two together may provide more than a little bit of coverage for an accident.
    Last edited by boi; 23-03-2018 at 11:37 AM.

  10. #10
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    33,534
    Quote Originally Posted by jamescollister View Post
    if you are really sick with something, good chance you can get on a plane home..
    The advisability of that depends on how likely it is you'll get low cost treatment in your country of birth, of course. Things are certainly very different to the old days in the UK, for example.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
    jamescollister's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    29-06-2020 @ 09:33 PM
    Location
    Bunthrik Ubon
    Posts
    4,764
    Quote Originally Posted by boi View Post
    Better read the amounts actually covered on the "150,000 baht cover" for "simple and CHEAP cover for accidents" and you will find what the company will pay for your hospital bills is more like 50,000 baht.

    It's cheap alright.

    And some or all of the policies do not allow you to have ANY blood alcohol content--that is, the policies state that if you have consumed ANY alcohol prior to the accident they will not pay.
    What are you on about, some policies, some companies, the 400 Baht extra is on the motorbike registration, no fault, can be drunk, blind, stupid, unlicensed, no helmet.

    It's meant for Thais, who get free treatment anyways, it just gives extra cover for better care, but it does not excluded farangs form the cover.
    Basic M/C rego cover is 50,000 Baht, 400 Baht extra give 150,000 cover.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last Online
    Today @ 06:32 PM
    Location
    Where troubles melt like lemon drops
    Posts
    25,222
    Have you a link to the policy, in English, please?

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat
    jamescollister's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    29-06-2020 @ 09:33 PM
    Location
    Bunthrik Ubon
    Posts
    4,764
    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    Have you a link to the policy, in English, please?
    Afraid not, I just got told years ago at the land transport office.

  14. #14
    Custom Title Changer
    Topper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    Today @ 06:17 PM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    12,119
    BUPA has always been good to me....

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat raycarey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    15,054
    Quote Originally Posted by jamescollister View Post
    some policies, some companies, the 400 Baht extra is on the motorbike registration, no fault, can be drunk, blind, stupid, unlicensed, no helmet.

    It's meant for Thais, who get free treatment anyways, it just gives extra cover for better care, but it does not excluded farangs form the cover.
    Basic M/C rego cover is 50,000 Baht, 400 Baht extra give 150,000 cover.
    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    Have you a link to the policy, in English, please?
    Quote Originally Posted by jamescollister View Post
    Afraid not, I just got told years ago at the land transport office.

    FFS.

    save your family the hassle and just set up your 'go fund me' page now.

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last Online
    Today @ 06:32 PM
    Location
    Where troubles melt like lemon drops
    Posts
    25,222
    Can one do that prior to the "accident"?

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
    jamescollister's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    29-06-2020 @ 09:33 PM
    Location
    Bunthrik Ubon
    Posts
    4,764
    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    Have you a link to the policy, in English, please?
    Had a bit of a google on the subject, if you google Thailand compulsory vehicle insurance, you'll get a better idea of how it works.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last Online
    Today @ 06:32 PM
    Location
    Where troubles melt like lemon drops
    Posts
    25,222
    Thanks

  19. #19
    Member

    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Last Online
    11-09-2023 @ 07:17 AM
    Posts
    64
    Quote Originally Posted by jamescollister View Post
    What are you on about,
    Basic M/C rego cover is 50,000 Baht, 400 Baht extra give 150,000 cover.
    the 150,000 baht you talk about is for 'loss of life, limb, or eye' but NOT for Medical/Hospital bills. the 50,000 baht you mention is for Medical/Hospital.

    No insurance company is going to pay your hospital bills of 150,000 baht for a mere 400 baht more premium. They will, however, (claim to) pay you or beneficiary 150,000 baht if you lose and eye, foot or your life---something they know is unlikely.
    Last edited by boi; 06-04-2018 at 05:28 PM.

  20. #20
    Member

    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Last Online
    11-09-2023 @ 07:17 AM
    Posts
    64
    Quote Originally Posted by jamescollister View Post
    I
    Simple and cheap cover for accidents is available, from paying the extra 400 Baht a year on your motorbike rego giving you 150,000 Baht cover, to paying the extra on your Thai ATM card for accident cover, plus master and visa cards give cover.
    Read the actual Policy and the Coverages page (two separate documents).

    With an inexpensive Thai 'accident only' policy you can get 150,000 baht cover for 'an accident'---BUT not for a motorcycle accident.

    Some of these 'accident only' policies, like Bangkok PCL Happy 45+, flat-out state in 'Exclusions' section: “This insurance does not cover loss or injury while the insured is riding or traveling on a motorcycle."

    So if you buy That policy they won't pay any money for a motorcycle accident.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat
    jamescollister's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    29-06-2020 @ 09:33 PM
    Location
    Bunthrik Ubon
    Posts
    4,764
    BOi with the insurance company policies again, nothing to do with private insurers, land transport department, part of the rego.

    1/ is the basic minimum.

    2/ costs extra.


    Voluntary 3rd Party Coverage

    Voluntary Third Party Insurance pays in addition to the Compulsory Third Party Insurance coverage.
    Third Party Liability

    • Bodily injury: 200,000 baht per person( + 50,000 baht from compulsory 3rd party)
    • Death: 300,000 baht person (+100,000 baht from compulsory 3rd party)
    • Maximum per occurrence: 10,000,000 baht (+5,000,000 from compulsory 3rd party)
    • Property damage: 200,000 baht per occurrence.
    • PA (accident death & dismemberment): 50, 000 baht (for driver)
    • Bail Bond (to get out of jail): 200,000 baht per occurrence.

  22. #22
    Member

    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Last Online
    11-09-2023 @ 07:17 AM
    Posts
    64
    Again: I am talking about how much the insurance company pays for YOUR Hospital/Medical, when YOU are injured driving or riding on a motorcycle. 'Third Party' payments are payments made to OTHERS due to your negligence. Decent amount for 'third party' payments are indeed a good thing. But they don't pay YOUR Hospital/Medical. And this is one reason Hospital/Medical payments are so low--because it is highly likely YOU will have big hospital bills from an accident while driving or riding a motorcycle, and hence the insurance companies know this and so they know to promise you only so much (50,000 baht) for Hospital/Medical. And they promise you the 'sky' for eye/hand/death/third party because they know it is way, way less likely that you will die or lose an eye or hand or hurt a third party person.

    What matters is: are you going to be able to pay YOUR Hospital/Medical if YOU are injured driving or riding on a motorcycle.

    P.S. I do like the MSIG policy. The MSIG policy for a new motorcycle (about 4500 baht per year for a new Honda PCX policy) is good in that it is straightforward and clear and pays what it says it will pay: 50,000 baht MEDICAL per driver and 50,000 per passenger. Plus it will pay substantial money to third parties injured as a result of your motorcycle crash and it also insures your motorcycle against fire, theft and damage.

    If assets dictated and budget allowed, then having two policies make sense: for ex: Imglobal and MSIG.

    Imglobal policy for about $1,000 per year ($2500 deductible) will cover much more substantial amounts (up to a million Dollars or more) for Hospital/Medical for accidents INCLUDING motorcycle/car accidents. And Imglobal also covers illness as well.

    I hate playing the 'insurance game' and forking over money to these companies, but it may be a necessary 'evil' if you have concerns about protecting your assets so you don't end up broke because of an accident or an illness.

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat
    jamescollister's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    29-06-2020 @ 09:33 PM
    Location
    Bunthrik Ubon
    Posts
    4,764
    BOI, can't be bothered to explain, but 3rd party is the English translation, not the Thai meaning.
    Best you go to the LTO and get them to explain.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •