Enter Thailand quickly and easily during Covid-19!

[Faz]

35 minutes ago, Freeduhdumb said:

Hmm... must have went up or you entered your information in a different way. If I remember correctly I had chosen a few different options to get the best price. I got 3 months of coverage for $276.38

That appears to be an accident coverage policy - not a Covid treatment policy.

A typical mandatory $100,000 Covid Insurance policy cost 6,400 BHT ($191) departing from USA for 3 months coverage Itinerary Detail : Gain Peace of Mind Get Online Coverage : Thai General Insurance Association (tipinsure.com)

[BlueSphinx]

22 minutes ago, Faz said:

...

The mandatory Covid Insurance $100,000 can be purchased from any Insurance provider, but if you want to try the tgia (Thai group Insurance Association) for a quote, then the link is Home - Covid 19 Insurance (tgia.org)

The mandatory $100,000 Covid Insurance is required by all travellers entering Thailand.
The 400/40K mandatory Health Insurance is different and only applies to Non Imm O-A / O-X Visa types.

Fully correct, except that when currently entering Thailand on a Non Imm O Visa for reason of retirement, that some Thai Embassies also require that 400/40K mandatory Health insurance.

= = = =

Re the 100.000 US $ covid-19 insurance > That insurance is MANDATORY for anybody currently entering Thailand and needs to cover the period of the permission to stay for which you will be stamped in by Thai border-immigration on arrival.  Depending on the Visa on which you enter that permission to stay will be 45, 60, 90, 180 or 365 days.

If your current foreign/international health-insurance or your travel-insurance does not meet the covid-19 coverage of at least 100.000 US $ (for the required period), there are several options for meeting that insurance requirement. 

1 - The Thai TGIA insurance < https://covid19.tgia.org/ > is rather expensive as it ONLY provides coverage for covid-19 treatment.  But the main advantage with that Thai policy is that you can subscribe to it till 99 years of age (and there is NO difference in premium per age-category which is of course ridiculous from an insurance perspective).

2 - When flying Emirates, you will get FREE 100.000 US $ covid-19 insurance included in the ticket-price.  This for 30 days when booking one-way (which is not sufficient to cover the permission to stay you would receive on entry), but the insurance would cover the full period of your trip when booking a return-flight.  In his case, booking a flexible return-ticket with return date after permission to stay expiry could be a worthwhile option, if you intend to fly back say within 12 months.

3 - If you are under 75 years of age you might also consider AXA Sawasdee travel-insurance < https://direct.axa.co.th/TA-Inbound/CoverageOptionPlan?tag=axa-sawasdee-thailand-travel-insurance >.  That - very reasonably priced - full travel-insurance policy provides covid-19 coverage as part of its very decent coverage of any accident/illness you might encounter while in Thailand.  You can subscribe to it for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months (it has to cover the period of the permission of stay you will receive on entry).  Note that this policy actually also meets the 400K/40K health-insurance requirement (which might be required when entering on a Non Imm O < retirement >, O-A or O-X Visa).

4 - When under 70 years of age, the SafetyWing travel-insurance policy < https://safetywing.com/nomad-insurance > is also a worthwhile option as it will provide accident/illness cover of 250.000 US $ (including covid-19 coverage).  And that FULL travel-insurance policy sells at at premium of 40 to 130 US $ per month depending on your age, which is even LOWER than the limited covid-19 only Thai insurance premium (#1).  Additional advantage - compared with Axa Sawasdee - being that you can set the end-date of that policy (so no need to subscribe for a period longer than ther permission to stay, you will receive on entering Thailand).

>> If you do not have an international or travel-insurance policy that meets the 100.000 US $ covid-19 coverage requirement for the required period, I would recommend following:

- When foreseeing to return to your home-country within 12 months of your departure, to consider flying Emirates and use their free covid-19 insurance policy;

- When over 75 years of age, to make use of the TGIA Thai insurance as you will not find any other insurer willing to provide such a policy at that age;

- When under 75 or 70 years of age, to compare the conditions of the Axa Sawasdee travel-insurance and the SafetyWing travel-insurance policies, and opt for the one that provides best value for money.

Cheers and success on coming back to LoS!

 

[Chad]

1 hour ago, JamesE said:

Nope. As long as your policy docs indicate the correct coverage and that Thailand is included in the coverage area, you're good to go. Any policy meeting the requirements is OK. (But this is the problem with sponsored content. The sponsors can - and do - say things that are 1) untrue and 2) drive business to them.) If it's sponsored content it's basically bบลล s#!t.

I can attest to this. I (in the US) bought an 18 day 250k USD policy from Heymondo (AXA Spain) for 81 USD, and it includes general travel insurance as well. They provided a policy as well as a certificate listing COVID-19 coverage in Thailand. I submitted my COE pre-approval on a Friday evening and the Consulate-General in Chicago pre-approved it Monday afternoon.

I feel fortunate that my entire COE process was painless. 

[Faz]

What you should be aware of, is that although you are free to purchase the mandatory $100,000 Covid coverage policy from any Insurer as a separate policy or as part of a travel Insurance, or Health Insurance policy, some policies have a 14 day 'no claims' qualification period from inception, as certain foreigners have found to their dismay in ASQ when getting a positive test and finding the policy useless.

Many sites recommend the Thai General Insurance Association (tgia) as their policies start and provide coverage from day 1 of entry to Thailand. It's imperative you check your policy covers any Covid treatment from day 1 of arrival in Thailand when choosing your policy from different providers, otherwise you could find yourself footing your own bill for any treatment.

[BlueSphinx]

7 minutes ago, Faz said:

What you should be aware of, is that although you are free to purchase the mandatory $100,000 Covid coverage policy from any Insurer as a separate policy or as part of a travel Insurance, or Health Insurance policy, some policies have a 14 day 'no claims' qualification period from inception, as certain foreigners have found to their dismay in ASQ when getting a positive test and finding the policy useless.

Many sites recommend the Thai General Insurance Association (tgia) as their policies start and provide coverage from day 1 of entry to Thailand. It's imperative you check your policy covers any Covid treatment from day 1 of arrival in Thailand when choosing your policy from different providers, otherwise you could find yourself footing your own bill for any treatment.

That's correct.  But you should also be aware that even if your policy covers you from day 1 in Thailand, and you are hospitalized because of a positive PCR-test on entry or during your quarantaine period, some insurers will not cover the cost of that 'hospital quarantaine' unless it is proven that you have indeed covid and need to be treated (as their policies only cover the costs of treatment for illness).  So it is worthwhile to explicitly enquire about that when subscribing to insurance to meet that 100.000 US $ requirement.

Note: It is also good to know that the FREE Emirates 100.000 US $ covid-19 insurance will also cover the costs of such hospital-quarantaine.  The 100.000 US $ covid-19 insurance a guy had subscribed to, refused to pay the costs of his mandatory hospital quarantaine when he had the misfortune of getting a positive PCR-test (which turned out to be a false positive).  But luckily he had flown into Thailand with Emirates and Emirates paid the bill, no questions asked. 

[Freeduhdumb]

1 hour ago, Faz said:

That appears to be an accident coverage policy - not a Covid treatment policy.

A typical mandatory $100,000 Covid Insurance policy cost 6,400 BHT ($191) departing from USA for 3 months coverage Itinerary Detail : Gain Peace of Mind Get Online Coverage : Thai General Insurance Association (tipinsure.com)

Yeah.. sorry this came with it. Here is the Covid-19 part.

[Faz]

33 minutes ago, Freeduhdumb said:

Yeah.. sorry this came with it. Here is the Covid-19 part.

What date are you travelling to Thailand?

Policy effective date 1/10/21.
Other limitations and exclusions do apply - what are they?

Check the policy doesn't have a 14 day exclusion period from the effective date for claims.

[Faz]

1 hour ago, BlueSphinx said:

That's correct.  But you should also be aware that even if your policy covers you from day 1 in Thailand, and you are hospitalized because of a positive PCR-test on entry or during your quarantaine period, some insurers will not cover the cost of that 'hospital quarantaine' unless it is proven that you have indeed covid and need to be treated (as their policies only cover the costs of treatment for illness).  So it is worthwhile to explicitly enquire about that when subscribing to insurance to meet that 100.000 US $ requirement.

Absolutely @BlueSphinxand a very valuable point.

The pitfalls and free 'get out of jail' cards are synonymous with Insurance companies.

[Freeduhdumb]

8 hours ago, Faz said:

What date are you travelling to Thailand?

Policy effective date 1/10/21.
Other limitations and exclusions do apply - what are they?

Check the policy doesn't have a 14 day exclusion period from the effective date for claims.

This was the end of last year first of this year as the dates indicate. I was only offering what I used, you will have to inquire about any further specific questions for yourself.

[Kenneth]

Good morning Thailand. Well, with the ever lagging covid pandemic and the every changing travel policies, making any concrete plans for travel is like trying to catch your breath, with a butterfly net!!! My head spinsas I read through the plethora of information on insurance. While I search for my meds to take away the headache, maybe someone has some advice and direction for me. 

Planning to arrive in Bangkok likely in March. (PM promised country would be ready to open in October). I will arrive on Cathay. I will stay in Bangkok 2 full days (maybe more if there is a covid test required to leave or go to Dubai.) I'm sure a covid test with a shelf life of 72 hours prior to departure will be required. Can I get results in the two day time frame of my stay in Bangkok. Might have to extend to three?? Once this obstacle has been navigated, onward to Dubai, using Emirates of coarse. Now they offer some type of medical coverage included in ticket price, but its unclear where its valid. I suspect its valid in Dubai only. Not withstanding; I will be in Dubai for five days. (I'm sure now i will need a covid test to depart Dubai for Paris. 

Ten days later, return to Bangkok for 7-10 days. Onward back to Canada. I have read all there is to read about insurance, and how it must be Thailand approved. Anyhow, many moving parts. Where to start. Advise is you would like.

ken 

[Faz]

13 hours ago, Kenneth said:

Planning to arrive in Bangkok likely in March. (PM promised country would be ready to open in October). I will arrive on Cathay. I will stay in Bangkok 2 full days (maybe more if there is a covid test required to leave or go to Dubai.) I'm sure a covid test with a shelf life of 72 hours prior to departure will be required. Can I get results in the two day time frame of my stay in Bangkok. Might have to extend to three?? Once this obstacle has been navigated, onward to Dubai, using Emirates of coarse. Now they offer some type of medical coverage included in ticket price, but its unclear where its valid. I suspect its valid in Dubai only. Not withstanding; I will be in Dubai for five days. (I'm sure now i will need a covid test to depart Dubai for Paris. 

Ten days later, return to Bangkok for 7-10 days. Onward back to Canada. I have read all there is to read about insurance, and how it must be Thailand approved. Anyhow, many moving parts. Where to start. Advise is you would like.

You can enter Thailand both times without any need of a Visa (Visa exempt). Each entry permits a stay of 30/45 days, no issues with your planned term of stay. Currently you would have to quarantine for 14 days, but that could have changed given the dates you've provided.
The only compulsory Insurance requirement at this time is the $100,000 Covid policy required to obtain the COE (certificate of entry). Travel or Health Insurance is not compulsory and purely optional and personal choice.

A number of hospitals in Bangkok offer same day PCR testing and issue of results, should you require a PCR test to enter Dubai. Similarly, I would expect the same service is available in Dubai for your trip to Paris.

Far to early to give definitive answers to your question at this time. You should enquire again 4-6 weeks before your planned trip for the latest situation and criteria.

[Stonker]

On 8/10/2021 at 11:31 AM, Freeduhdumb said:

Yeah.. sorry this came with it. Here is the Covid-19 part.

Since you're liable for the first $2,500 I doubt that policy would meet the required criteria.

[Faz]

15 minutes ago, Stonker said:

Since you're liable for the first $2,500 I doubt that policy would meet the required criteria.

It obviously did Stonker as he used it last year to enter Thailand according to his statement.

On 8/10/2021 at 8:29 PM, Freeduhdumb said:

This was the end of last year first of this year as the dates indicate. I was only offering what I used,

 

[palooka]

Try ROOJAI Insurance for the 100,000 baht Covid requirement. 70 years old, 450 baht.

[BlueSphinx]

10 minutes ago, palooka said:

Try ROOJAI Insurance for the 100,000 baht Covid requirement. 70 years old, 450 baht.

To meet the CoE insurance requirement for entering Thailand, the insurance should provid covid-19 treatment for no less than 100.000 US $ and has to cover the permission to stay for which you will be stamped in by border-immigration (that period can be 45 days, 60 days, 90 days, 180 days or 365 days according to the Visa on which you enter),

[Faz]

1 hour ago, palooka said:

Try ROOJAI Insurance for the 100,000 baht Covid requirement. 70 years old, 450 baht.

The $100,000 Covid Insurance requirement to obtain a COE equates to roughly 3.5 million baht.
If you can get that for 450 baht be sure to advise the forum members.

[Faz]

2 hours ago, palooka said:

Try ROOJAI Insurance for the 100,000 baht Covid requirement. 70 years old, 450 baht.

That was from Dhipaya Insurance and the 100,000 baht wasn't for Covid treatment.

If you look at Roojai https://www.roojai.com/en/covid/ they will only provide Covid Insurance up to age 65 now and a fair increase in policy prices.