Medical insurance in Thailand for reviews 2019 – which one is better to choose

If you are reading this post, then you are interested in medical Travel insurance to Thailand. Like me, because I I myself go to Tai every year. And when you start learning about insurance, it seems that now the head will explode from the abundance controversial reviews. What kind of insurance to choose? What is insurance in Thailand is better?

It is necessary to make insurance, medicine is terribly expensive! After I got 3 million rubles, I advise everyone not to save, otherwise, you can specifically get into debts and loans.

For several years now I have been collecting the most relevant for you. information, trying to write it in plain language. Every few months I sit down and update this post. For this, I read the most famous forums where there is an insurance topic: the Vinsky forum, Banks.ru, Reviewed.ru, Compare.ru, Otzovik and so on. To find out the whole the truth, I call insurance companies, I read insurance contracts, I communicate with insurance agents and victims.

Since I have a child and I travel often, you don’t want you want, but I had to immerse myself in the question. And unlike others authors, I and my family members have applied for insurance repeatedly. Personal experience is always more valuable than theory.

The content of the article

• 1 What insurance to choose in Thailand
• 2 Rating of insurance companies, April 2019
  • 2.1 Best Insurance for Thailand (TOP5)
  • 2.2 The remaining insurance
• 3 What is assistance and why it is important
• 4 Where to buy insurance in Thailand
• 5 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
• 6 How to use travel insurance
• 7 What you need to know before you buy
  • 7.1 Important Insurance Terms
  • 7.2 ADD options for insurance

What insurance to choose in Thailand

Short for busy. Next will be a long post, so if you too lazy to read, here is my summary of your choice of insurance.

Best but more expensive:

• ERV (link price is 12% lower). BEST FOR THAILAND. Enters Dengue fever, baggage loss, exacerbation of chronic diseases, riding a motorcycle. The only ones who insure injury intoxication and complication of pregnancy / childbirth up to 31 of the week.
• Allianz. Good assistance Mondial, which no one else sells. Many positive reviews about insurance. Fever enters Dengue riding a bike without increasing the cost. Insurance can buy already while traveling. Average price.

Cheap but working:

• Sberbank Insurance (promo code LIFETRIPRU by 9%). No price alternatives now. Dengue fever covered, complication chronic diseases, allergies, sunburn. When adding options “Riding a motorcycle” cost does not increase. Not increase the price of children from 3 years.
• Arsenal. Low price, includes Dengue, riding a bike without cost increases, chronic diseases, allergies.

Please note that travel insurance in Thailand and in general Southeast Asia is constantly becoming more expensive due to the fact that Asia considered unprofitable region. Well, the growth of the currency is not in our benefit, because the cost of insurance depends on the course. So don’t pull with the purchase.

Rating of insurance companies, April 2019

Best insurance for Thailand (TOP5)

Listed insurance with their assistants and a mark where good Bundle Insurance-Assistance. He told the pros cons of each specific insurance and gave a link where cheaper / better to buy.

Top 5, which is worth thinking about first.

1. ERV (Evro-Center)

Objectively TOP-1. You can and should take, at least a child! The best Insurance for Thailand and Asia now. Many hospitals themselves they say that with ERV they work best. Included a lot options. They are the only ones who cover injuries while alcohol intoxication, which is important on vacation. The price is not the same low, but everything will be fine. I myself somehow erv already used – got 3 million rubles, when my son landed in resuscitation. Insurance everything promptly arranged and paid without problems. Even a plane transported a child from Phuket to Bangkok.

Life hacking. If you buy the link, it will be cheaper by 12%, so as an insurance amount in dollars (and bucks are cheaper than euros). Detailed instruction.

ERV insurance with 12% discount →

Pros: No multiplying factor for children because of age! Insurance includes exacerbation of chronic diseases, sunburn, dengue insurance, there is help with intoxication, baggage insurance, emergency dentistry. The only ones who normally insure pregnant women (the best insurance) – pregnancy complication, preterm labor, care newborn. There are really many options. By the way, if initially see insurance with sums of 100 thousand ye, then ERV will be cheaper than Allianz, keep this in mind.

Cons: price, especially for the annual policy. The insured amount of at least 100 thousand ye, if this can be attributed to cons. Although in Tai (and especially children), I would only make 100,000 yeah

2. Allianz (Mondial)

Insurance with Mondial Assistance, which is now called Allianz Global Assistance. The combination of price and quality. Mondial too in the top among asistensov. Exclusive in the Russian market, since in turn, all the insurance stopped working with Mondial because of his high prices. Works well, both in Thailand and in Schengen. Lot positive feedback and the price is not the highest. Bought for Europe, but did not have to use.

Prices for Allianz →

Pros: low price. In medical insurance is included Dengue fever (useful for Thailand), emergency dentistry, riding a bike without increasing the cost (also needed in Tae), allergies and the chronicle of a life threatening 5% of the sum insured. Insurance You can buy while already traveling (here is a list of such insurance). And they definitely do not mind if you buy this insurance. second. This is necessary when you already have annual insurance. and it ends in the middle of a vacation.

Cons: does not include sunburn, although it easier to prevent than to handle. Generally simple insurance programs without a lot of options.

3. Polis (AXA Assistace)

Polis812 also has its exclusive product – insurance policy with AXA Assistace from Absolute Insurance. Assistance from Top, at the level of ERV and Mondial. This is the only opportunity to buy AXA, because AXA now goes only in insurance to some premium bank cards.

There are 2 options: Economy (Polis AXA a, Polis AXA b, Polis AXA C) and Premium (Polis AXA Premium). Economy only for Schengen – policy to 90 days maximum. Premium – up to 21 days of Southeast Asia, up to 30 days other countries the world, up to 99 days Schengen. Promotional code LIFETRIPRU for a discount of 9%.

AXA prices with discount →

Premium pluses: Priority service. Ability to choose a clinic (here is a list). A lot of options default: active rest, motorcycle control, solar burns, allergies, dengue fever, civil liability on 5000 euros, accident for 1000 euros, round the clock consultation via Skype, what’s app.

Cons: For Thailand (SEA) is available only Premium and a maximum of 21 days. There are restrictions on the number of days insurance. Price, almost like the EPB.

4. Sberbank Insurance (Europ Assistance )

LIFHAK. According to my instructions, you can buy insurance from Sberbank in general for a penny at once for 90 days.

I already had experience with this insurance: sent to a great Chiangmai Ram, in Bangkok at the good Vejthani Hospital, Phuket in so-so Siam International Clinic, in Hua Hin already in Bangkok itself Hospital. Why such a spread, I do not know. They wrote me that in Phuket also sent people to Bangkok Hospital— In any case, this is the cheap insurance in Thailand and in general in Asia now (reduced tariffs). Its main plus price, so in the first place of inexpensive. From personal experience and reviews – work. Not ideal but again PRICE! Promotional code LIFETRIPRU 9%.

Buy Sberbank Insurance at a discount →

Pros: a bunch of insurance comes in by default more options than others: sunburn and allergies are covered, exacerbation of the chronicle at life threatening for the entire sum insured, dengue fever. Motorcycle / moped options are already Included in the contract by default (relevant for Taya), separately add it is not necessary. I’m not a fan of Sberbank and his products, but budget options and workers are no longer there. More about all insurance conditions.

Cons: the main problem with Sberbank + Europ Assistance – they sometimes pull with an answer. However, there is and completely positive feedback that everything was really cool and people were asked for themselves in Bangkok Hospital, although initially offered other. I also had a positive experience.

5. Arsenal (Balt assistance )

Despite the fact that very few people know this insurance (not on hearing), it exists for a long time. Just did not do much retail by sales. Now we have decided to actively promote this area. Negative reviews are few. Despite the average assistance, it is in A bunch of Arsenal + Cherehapa + Balt work well. That is to take it is necessary only through Cherehap, since they are one of the main sales channels and will listen. Insurance is inexpensive!

For Thailand, they sell policies only with insurance amounts of 50 thousand $ and 100 thousand $.

Prices for Arsenal →

Pros: a lot of options for a small price. By default insurance covers exacerbation costs Chronicles at risk of life for the entire sum insured. For this you need put a tick in Cherehap “Cupping complications of chronic diseases “. Dengue insurance is included, riding a bike (relevant for Taya) without increasing the cost of the policy with this option, emergency dentistry.

Cons: sunburn insurance only for children under 15 years old.

The remaining insurance

6. Tripinsurance

Insurance with Tripinsurance’s own assistance fact means that they have entered into contracts with several assistants to direct where it will be better. Positive The reputation of this company is not one year. The insurance itself will be from insurance “Absolute Insurance”, but, naturally, such a program there is no insurance on the site itself, just another exclusive. Promo code LIFETRIPRU for a discount of 11%.

Tripinsurance discount →

Pros: huge insurance sums: $ 250,000 – $ 1,000,000 will cover costly operations. Exacerbation chronicles The threat to life is covered up to $ 3000, assist with acts of terrorism, insure Dengue, if possible will be caused doctor at the hotel (doctor on call), riding a bike is included by default, intoxication up to 0.7 ppm. Their representatives are on all forums, there you can draw attention to your situation and decide her. You can find out which hospital will be sent to this or that city. Free consultations from Russian pediatricians and therapists in application. Details on all conditions.

Cons: High price. Not covered by the sun burns and for policies lasting more than 34 days and purchased already during Time travel. There is a deductible of $ 50 (except for Schengen, there it is not it happens). But the franchise is easy to get around by buying several policies in a row, they themselves advise to do so.

7.Tinkoff (Europ Assistance)

I think everyone knows the bank Tinkoff. Few negative reviews you can buy. Assistance with Tinkoff insurance is now one – Europ Assistance. About the work of Europ Assistance with Tinkoff reviews are best. Used in Spain, they sent a doctor to the house, without complaints. In my experience they work at the level of Sberbank, plus minus also.

Prices for Tinkoff →

Pros: insure Dengue, for children up to 3 years a doctor may be called on the house. Cover exacerbation chronicles when life threatening. You can buy insurance already on a trip, but only not being in the territory of insurance. Separate line of communication with Europ Assistance for Tinkoff Insurance clients (Votsap, Skype).

Cons: raised prices. Burns cover only for children up to 14 years. Riding a bike increases the cost of insurance. The maximum in the territory of insurance can be 90 days.

8. Alpha Insurance (Best Service and Class)

With Alpha insurance there is such a life hack: if you buy a policy from them directly on the site, then it will be GVA, but through partners you get better assistance. I specifically wrote to them and that’s what they told me replied, I quote: “We cooperate with different assistance companies. When you make a policy on our website, our GVA partner. Our partners can sell policies from others Assistants. ”

Insurance with Best Service Assistance can be bought now only through Cherehapa. Thailand and / or Indonesia – Best, other countries Class.

Price Alpha (Best Service) →

Pros: defaults to health insurance includes dengue, relief of chronic diseases and allergies. Insurance can be made out from abroad. At the same time franchise and no restrictions on stay, like Liberty. But I think It is not necessary to contact the hospital on the day of purchase, they will be tough check.

Cons: for Thailand and Indonesia policy is necessary buy no less than 5 days before the trip. Confusion with Assistants, when what. Do not include sunburn. Riding a bike greatly increases the cost.

9. Ingosstrakh (Best, Asiser, Remed and Balt)

It is worth considering because of the price. Assistants differ in depending on the country. Best Service from Thailand and Southeast Asia, India, China, Japan and Nepal. Remed Assistance from Turkey, Bulgaria and Egypt. Asiser Assistance from Andorra, Spain, Italy, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. For the rest of Balt Assistance. Well, that Cherehapa always indicates which one. Previously, Ingostrakh sent to Bangkok Hospital, now rarely.

Price Ingosstrakh →

Pros: low prices and moved to budget insurance. Insure dengue, chronicle exacerbation covers in within 5% of the sum insured, which is not bad.

Cons: the policy must be issued no later than than 5 days before the trip, and its duration should be from 7 days. Franchise 50 USD Do not cover sunburn and allergies. Bewitched with asistanses.

10. Zetta (AP Companies )

They are very friendly with AP Companies and their coordination processes. adjusted very well. Thus, you can buy insurance with Assistance AP Companies from Zetta, good and working version. The cost of the policy is normal. Zetta stopped selling insurance in Thailand for a period longer than 30 days, apparently optimize costs.

Zetta prices →

Pros: dengue, emergency dentistry and exacerbation of the chronicles. Low price.

Cons: does not include allergies and sunburn. Made a franchise 50 ye (except for Schengen), so removed from the TOP.

11. Consent (Best Service)

Cherehapa sells Accord policies with Best Service Assistance for Thailand (you need to choose any country from Southeast Asia). These are Russian people organized assistance in Thailand and Indonesia. They have their own local call center. Communicate on all forms of communication: all messengers, phone, mail, skype. They have representatives in all major cities and they have the opportunity to drive up to the clinic to resolve issues. But there are very few reviews, it’s not clear how Best will be work. But the insurance itself has a good reputation a lot years old.

If you do not select any of the Southeast Asian countries in the territory, then there will be AP Companies instead of Best, average proven assistance. But for others countries, I’d rather Allianz took, there is a good price.

Price for Consent (Best) →

Pros: life threatens with exacerbation chronic diseases up to $ 5000, when the majority gives only $ 1,000. Allergies are covered. Good combination of price and quality, on my opinion.

Cons: do not insure sunburn and fever Dengue. However, according to statistics, the probability of getting sick Dengue is 10 times lower than the flu, especially if you do not climb in jungle. Franchise 60 ye. But removed from the TOP. On children there is a step up coefficient depending on age. And for some countries can do not sell policies for such children under 5 years old (Thailand, eg). Riding a bike greatly increases the cost.

12. Absolute Insurance (Europ Assistance and Savitar )

Absolute used to be called Europolis, so in fact they are already long on the market, they have an old Zetta team. At last year the company suffered heavy losses due to Asian destinations, therefore raised prices. So, I would consider them in Schengen, and for other countries would take other policies. Promotional code LIFETRIPRU 9% discount.

Absolute discount →

Pros: Covering good and special problems with them not. An exacerbation of the chronicles at life threatening insure up to $ 1000, insure dengue and allergies.

Cons: Price. Sunburn and bike riding do not cover. Franchise 50 ye (except for Schengen).

13. Hyde (Savitar)

Inexpensive insurance available for purchase through Polis812. Savitar mediocre assistance and insurance is normal, but reviews little insurance. It’s not clear how good this bunch is, but price pleases, of course. Promotional code LIFETRIPRU for a discount of 9%.

Price on Gaide with discount →

Pros: price.

Cons: do not insure Dengue.

14. Liberty (Class assistance)

In the past, Liberty was a Klas insurance company and was part of it. Class-assistance assistance. The company resold several times and eventually Liberty became, and Class-assistance became independent company. But ties with Liberty remained, they service the whole Liberty insurance portfolio and have direct impact on Class-assistance, i.e. issues are solved faster and better, so if you really take the Class, then only liberty.

There have been a lot of bad reviews lately. I used to buy them to Thailand, to Europe, but now I do not recommend. However, Someone still likes Liberty. The price is low.

Liberty (Program B) →

Pros: Price. Insure dengue, sunburn, allergies, exacerbation of chronicles at $ 2000 (program A) and at $ 3000 (program B). Insurance can be purchased already from abroad, but at the same time there will be a temporary delay, the policy will begin to operate 5 days from the date of purchase to eliminate fraud.

Cons: $ 30 deductible for Asia. Up to 8 years on children multiplying factor, the younger, the more expensive.

You need to know that Liberty has a rule: “Maximum 182 days within 365 days in the country of insurance. “Exception – student visa. Accordingly, it is possible not to return to Russia for years, but it is important to change the host country, at least once every six months.

Renaissance Insurance (FIRSTassist, GVA and Class)

This is what they said in the call-center insurance: “When making The policy on the Renaissance site will be one of the 3 service companies: FIRSTassist, GVA and Class. FIRSTassist only for Turkey. On what principle will be assigned GVA or Class call-center such information does not have “. Hm. If the insurance itself does not know then how do travelers know?

If you take, then through Cherehapa, there will definitely be a Class. Although I I do not see much sense in this purchase.

Insurance for children under 1 year old is cheaper than other companies (except Sberbank, it has the cheapest of all). Dengue enters, exacerbation of chronicles, allergies, sunburn, help with terrorist attacks. The policy can be bought already during the trip. Of the minuses – franchise $ 50.

Rosgosstrakh (GVA and others)

A little strange situation with this insurance, assistance in advance unknown and will be appointed upon occurrence of the insured event. Here is these may be: GVA, Europ Assistance, Fidelitas Assistance, Savitar Group, Balt Assistance. Good or bad depends on how lucky, apparently. Not so much among travelers popular insurance.

But according to the insurance contract, this company covers the cost of exacerbation of chronic diseases with the threat of life in in the amount of 1000 ye by default and in the amount of 10% of the sum insured, if the option “Relief of chronic complications diseases “. In the latter case, if insured for $ 100 thousand, then the exacerbation of the chronicles will cover $ 10 thousand. Moreover, it was not important about the chronicle is known in advance or not. Burns and any allergies too cover.

Reso-Guarantee (Europa Assistance)

Once worked with AXA, but with the crisis went to a cheaper Assistance. Technical support is so-so. Ascienses, that’s what I was told “If you purchase the policy at the RESO office, then service company in most countries – Europe Assistance, Bulgaria – Fidelitas, Turkey and Egypt – Remed. “There will be Europ in Tae Assistance. For the high price that they offer policies, I would I thought 10 times whether to buy with such assistance.

Feedback, both positive and negative. Insure Dengue. Franchise $ 50, do not cover allergies and sunburn.

VTB (GVA)

Very expensive (sometime some cheap), therefore there is no need to consider, at this price there is much better options. Moreover, they have GVA assistance, which is not very good and many hospitals have stopped working with GVA at all. In Asia, they have there were problems as far as I know, so when choosing Thailand in Cherehape, you will not see VTB at all in the results. Anyways, if and take, then for Schengen only.

Alpha Insurance (GVA)

Separately mention the Alpha with GVA. Such assistance will be at buying on the official website, so I would not considered in general, it is better to Alpha through Cherehapa, as I am above wrote, if at all to take. Insurance from Alpha can be bought because boundaries.

UralSIB (Class, Savitar, Coris and GVA)

Assistances are so-so and negative feedback on Uralsib is very there were a lot in 2018. But in 2019 it seemed to be better, Considering that expensive insurance is also kosyachat. IMHO inexpensive it is better to take Sber or Tinkoff, but someone prefers UralSib. I’d I have not taken it myself yet, I look closely, but you yourself are watching.

Military Insurance Company VSK (MedAssist International)

Quite a muddy company, and with vague terms of the contract insurance. Once worked with Class, but now they have MedAssist. And if you come to the office in person, in different cities you can sell a policy with other assistants, a list of which is nowhere can not see. The reviews are bad, they often write that insurance proposes to pay everything yourself on the spot, because of what is the point in such insurance is lost.

Insurance online comes without a deductible. But if the policy goes together with a tour, then it can be generally “non-working” – a $ 200 deductible for children under 2 years old and for those over 70.

Ergo

In February 2019, Ergo made a deal to sell itself. RESO-Guarantee, so I would not take ERGO policies yet. C one they have a lot of money and for the time being there will be a “transition” will understand to pay or not. On the other hand, who knows how will it be.

• I want an inexpensive working tour insurance – we buy Sberbank. For the price there are no alternatives now.
• It is possible to take more expensive – buy ERV. She is the BEST FOR THAILAND.

What is assistance and why is it important?

Few people know, but not only the insurance company is important, but also its assistance (assistance).

Assistance is a service company that will deal with you abroad in case of an insured event and send to the hospital. Have each insurance company has a contract with a specific assistance, and already the assistance will be a contract with hospitals. It is the assistance phone listed on your insurance policy. You You will call and communicate only with the assistance. Assistance does not sell policies

Therefore, you need to choose and also the assistance, or rather even a bunch Insurance + Assistance. It is best to read reviews by specific country, but the top work fine in all countries. But be ready that for each assistance and insurance will be negative. it normal situation and it should be taken for granted. Such here insurance business, all under the insurance contract. Something did not take into account your problems.

Assistance Rating

1. Evro-Center Holding
2. Allianz Global Assistance (AGA), formerly Mondial
3. Axa assistance (AXA)
4. Tripinsurance
5. Europ Assistance
6. AP Companies
7. Savitar
8. Best Service
9. Balt Assistance
10. Class assistance (Class)
11. Global Voyager Assistance (GVA)
12. MedAssist

For example, about GVA a large number of bad reviews. And I’m in Over the past years, I see that many insurance companies have stopped already cooperate with them. They write that Bangkok Pattaya Hospital is not works with GVA because of their debts and not paying. I decided for myself not Contact GVA at least for Asia, and you decide. MedAssist is also somewhere at the bottom. And Allianz, on the contrary, in the TOP.

You need to know that not all hospitals in a particular city will have a contract with your astenssens. Therefore, you will be sent to the one with who have a contract. In very small cities, in general, may not be such a hospital. I myself have encountered this in China. Situation will be decided on the spot: they can offer to go to the next a large city at its own expense (with subsequent reimbursement), or offer to pay for the treatment yourself and get a refund for return to Russia. The last option should be avoided! Can do not get anything, because there is not enough paper.

Unfortunately, in advance to find out 100% where to send you, do not work out. Insurance and Assistance will not tell you anything. It all depends on the complexity of the case, economic feasibility, etc., so as not to to commit themselves, they say nothing.

Of those who can always ask via online chat or on forum where they will direct – Tripinsurance. Also Savitar can say about clinics. And there is a small list where AXA sends. But And this is also not a guarantee.

Where to buy insurance in Thailand

I recommend checking the price of insurance for a trip to Thailand immediately in several services. There may be discounts. Buy through them absolutely safe, checked by me repeatedly, constantly I buy for myself and my friends / relatives. Policies are always in bases insurance.

Prices for insurance are usually lower than on the websites of insurance companies. Due to the large number of sales they can afford it allow.

Polis812

Polis812 is an agency that has been involved for many years. visa in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the market they are already very long. Polis812 knocked out their special prices for insurance and now They offer some very good options (they are in my TOP). Few filters, but the most important options are shown immediately beside each. insurance.

Check prices on Polis812 →

All policies purchased on Polis812 can be returned without penalty until start their actions. Everything is done online, do not have to go to the office insurance company.

Cherehapa

Cherehapa – I have been using them since 2012, and they are not ashamed recommend, really very high-quality site without glitches and very thought out. A lot of filters to find the right insurance. I wrote a detailed instruction on Cherehape.

Check prices for Cherehapa →

• Very convenient filter options, no one has that. Can quickly select insurance for specific options, including Dengue, insurance chronicles and so on.
• Insurance purchased on Cherehape can be returned (online!) To start a trip without fines, that is, get all your money back. And some insurance may require cancel the policy directly in the office.
• Cool tech support, knows all the answers for insurance.

Instore

Another service where it is worth punching the cost of insurance. Steep The chip is their option “Telemedicine”, which allows chat with a Russian-speaking doctor 24 hours a day online through the application (I recommend to immediately put). Not only available general practitioners and pediatricians, but also narrow specialists, including nutritionists. Useful if you do not know whether to go to the hospital, to understand whether the correct diagnosis was made, check the doctor’s prescription from hospital

Check prices on Instore →

You can consult not only before and after the visit hospital, but also during the reception to ask any other questions or clarify something. Very useful.

The option is included in all Allianz policies. Also Telemedicine can buy for a ridiculous 100-250 rubles, which is quite a bit of modern to the standards.

Sravni

And this company has previously engaged in comparing prices for OSAGO and CASCO. But then they made another tour of insurance. Sometimes they have skips discounts, so we check here too.

Check prices on Sravni →

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is insurance obligatory when traveling to Thailand?

• No matter how some bloggers refer to the law No. 132-FZ compulsory insurance, insurance in Thailand is voluntary. But taught by my experience, I highly recommend it to be done, this is yours health and your children. Compared to the cost of medicine in Tae, insurance costs a penny. 1-2 doctor’s appointment will easily pay for insurance, and 1 day in the hospital will exceed its cost several times.

Is medicine expensive in Thailand?

• Highly. You can simply fail to pay the hospital if something serious will happen as it was once with me: the bill was 1.5 million baht (3 million rubles). 1 day day in the hospital to the child drip drip at high temperature (which often happens) costs 500-3000 $. If you fall on the bike, then for the treatment calmly pay 10 thousand dollars.

Do I need the original policy with a stamp?

• The original is not needed, enough electronic file. There is no need to go to the office of insurance. I turned many times in the hospital, even the printout was not asked, always sent them by email and everything.

What is a franchise?

• Deductible means what fixed amount you will each pay once upon occurrence of the insured event. And only an account over this amount will be paid by the insurance company. Usually franchise 30-50 ye.

What is an annual policy?

• A policy that is valid throughout the year. But at the same time there are always limitations. For example, in total for all trips you can stay abroad for 45 days. Another option – the number of trips Similarly, it is not limited, but insurance works only the first 45 days on each trip.

Is it possible to buy insurance while in Thailand?

• Not all insurance companies are allowed to do this. With the purchase must be ticked “I already travel”, then you will see only those who allow it in the list. Here I have list of such insurance. I recommend taking Allianz.

How to use travel insurance

I applied for insurance many times already when traveling: Thailand, Hong Kong, Poland, China. So experience is enough. I have many posts, as this or that insurance behaved, but the most Serious experience was on Phuket with the ERV company. Son pleased with pneumonia in resuscitation (post about this experience). There even transportation by air to Bangkok was, oh how.

Main rules: During a call to assist you must say that you are very bad and you definitely need a doctor! And do not even think to say that you are sick in Russia.

Sequencing:

1. After the occurrence of the insured event (for example, rose temperature) you need to call your Assistance phone, specified in the policy (usually Moscow), and not go immediately to hospital. Assistance will tell you where to go.
2. As a rule, in the assistance you are told that the search for a hospital It will take 1-2 hours and they will call you back, send SMS. If possible, give your local number, not Russian, so it was cheaper. Or ask if it is possible to communicate via instant messenger. If with you are not contacted after the agreed time, call yourself.
3. Going to the designated hospital. Do not forget your passport and smartphone. At the reception say that you are on insurance and you were told go here You may be asked to show a printout of the policy or send the file by email (so always keep the policy file on phone or mail).
4. If the staff already knows about you, then everything is fine. If not, then Assistance has not yet sent a letter of guarantee (or is it not reached). Again we call for assistance and we say that let’s hurry, I’m already in the hospital.
5. After receiving the guarantee letter by the hospital, you may ask to leave a passport in the pledge. This is common practice, but more often happens when you buy cheap insurance.
6. Go to the doctor for a checkup. Then go to the hospital pharmacy, where you are given medication. All this should be free. Next to you return the passport (if taken) and you go back to the hotel.
7. If the passport is not given, then take the phone number of the hospital, where to call to find out when you can pick up a passport. And call in assistance and telling the situation. If they say wait, wait. If you wait a long time, then go to the hotel and from there call again to Assistance and rush him – they say, you will fly away soon. At worst you will give it in 3 days.

Do not self-medicate and do not talk about it. Assistance. Maximum antipyretic. Insurance may refuse if you decide to drink some pills or refused to accept those that are prescribed by the doctor.

How to call Russia cheaply →

If suddenly there is a situation that your insurance does not give you long hospital letter of guarantee about payment of expenses, call not only in asansans, but also in the insurance itself, quarrel with them. Insurance may offer to pay all on their own, and on return pay you compensation. Better wait and do not settle! Let be pay, otherwise it will be difficult to return the money, you may not turn out to be some important pieces of paper.

If you are in a small town where there is no hospital, with who works assistance, you have to pay yourself. This is a common practice. Same if you want to go to another hospital, and not in the appointed assistant. In this case, return The money goes only through compensation upon returning to Russia. However, remember that you must notify all of your actions. assistance

If the doctor has prescribed you a second appointment or procedure, then you need be sure to call the assistants before the next hospital visit and agree on everything, whether they pay for it or not.

What you need to know before you buy

Important Insurance Terms

• Almost no one insures the current day, so buy insurance for at least a few days. Better if the flight day too will be included in the insurance. Always check the annual terms. policy: how many insured days are included in a year, whether the number of trips is limited.
• Check if your insurance has a deductible, standard 50 dollars.
• The amount of insurance coverage is better to choose $ 50,000 or more, especially for a child. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about.
• No travel insurance is valid if the blood was found alcohol. But insurance alone can say that with any Alcohol breaks should not be, the other – that there will be no payment, if the insured event was the result of alcohol. But with colds blood test for alcohol just do not take, tested many times. So that we are talking about the refusal of insurance while driving drunk or in some other cases involving injuries (such as drunk walking and fell).
• Few insurance covers infectious / tropical diseases like hepatitis or yellow fever, from which they must be vaccinated. Dengue fever, on the contrary, cover many.

  Chronic diseases insure only when life threatens and often for a limited amount of the order of 1000-5000 ye. If you are important certain options, be sure to ask a question in the Cherekhapa chat or Polis812, they will give you the exact answer. Just in the call center Insurance often sit operators who know nothing. With insurance for people with disabilities is generally difficult.

• List all countries where you intend to be during travels. But note that if for some country is used the maximum rate, then all insurance will pass on this rate. Sometimes it’s easier to select “All World” right away than to list.
• If you are traveling to a specific wilderness (small village city), then be prepared, or pay for everything yourself (and then demand a refund), or go to the nearest major cities in the specified hospital. In general, the main rule here – you want qualified medical care, go to a major resort, and not a fart. Especially, this is true for families with children. And yes, not it’s really worth saving on travel insurance, sideways will come out.
• If the insurance is purchased during the trip, then it can start acting only after 5-6 days. Such protection from those scammers who buy insurance after the onset of insurance case. But the right travelers buy insurance as early as Russia, then it starts working from the moment of crossing the border. But here is a list of insurance that allow the purchase of abroad.
• With insurance for pregnant women a separate story, few people want take such risks. Under the link my list of insurance with normal conditions.

Additional options for insurance

• One of the most useful options is baggage insurance. Even though she increases the cost of a little tour insurance, but is quite useful, especially if your baggage is not only shorts and t-shirts, but also some more less valuable things. Please note that if you buy this option, then the date the start of insurance must be on the day of departure from the country of residence, to “capture” the flight.
• Accident insurance actually means paying already return home, and with a small percentage of the insurance amounts. That is, at death is given 100%, with bruises and fractures paid 5-10%. It does not cover medical expenses. and in fact does not help you abroad. Very detailed about the need for accident insurance. Read and decide do you need this option
• Also read about the option of travel insurance. In my opinion it is rather doubtful for independent travelers and greatly increases the cost of insurance, but in some cases buy it can.
• If you are going to ride a bike in the same Thailand, then You will have to choose the option “Active rest” or “Sport” (names can be different from insurance). Although, for example, Tripinsurance was originally takes into account falls from a bike, but this is rare. True, their insurance and more than others. But any other insurance with this option going up. It is important to note that you must still have category rights. “A” on the management of the motorcycle, and there should be no alcohol in blood. That is why those travelers who make cheap insurance, do not have a driver’s license and options for bikes, then get stuck in the story. Yes, it is likely that the insurance will cover even no rights, for example, if you say that the passenger was driving, or in general on a tuk-tuk, and the driver disappeared from the scene of the incident. But Nobody will tell you whether such an option will go ahead.

P.S. Do not be ill! Ask questions if something is not clear.

Life hacking 1 – how to buy a good insurance

Choosing insurance is now unrealistically difficult, therefore, to help everyone travelers, I make a rating. To do this, constantly monitor forums, I study insurance contracts and use insurance by myself.

Insurance Rating

Life hacking 2 – how to find a hotel 20% cheaper

First, choose a hotel on Booking. They have a good base offers, but the prices are NOT the best! The same hotel is often possible find 20% cheaper in other systems through the RoomGuru service.

Discount hotels