Travel Insurance Policies When Travelling To Thailand

Travel Insurance Policies When Travelling To Thailand

1.               Travel insurance is often neglected when planning a holiday or business trip. In Britain we are used to a free healthcare system and often forget that in many countries this is not the case.      We tend to not realise that luggage can be lost at an airport and that pick-pockets operate in Laos as well as London. Most of the time, travel insurance acts as a peace of mind...right up to the time you need it and then it can be the most important article in your suitcase.

Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?

              As we are all aware, accidents can happen at any time and in any place to anybody In the worst of circumstances, this can cause significant injury as well as ruining a holiday or business trip. Unfortunately no-one can predict when these accidents will occur or the severity of them when they do. The only thing to do is to have a high quality travel insurance policy. It may feel like you are gambling against yourself when arranging such a policy, however, nothing could be further from the truth.

              Luggage can be easily lost at airport, this in normally sufficient to ruin a holiday, having to endure a flight and then to traipse around a shopping centre to buy clean socks and shirts. Travel insurance can't make this impossible to happen, but can help pay for your new clothes, which will ease the pain a little.

              Something as innocent as a wet floor or trip down a flight of stairs could lead to a hospital trip, for example, to administer to a broken wrist or ankle. Medical insurance will usually cover the cost but if you need to return early your travel insurance policy may have a clause to allow this to be claimed for.

              When in a foreign country and hiring a car try to know the local traffic laws. We drive on the left in the UK, not too many countries follow suit on this. In Thailand they drive on the left hand side but 90% of the countries that border Thailand drive on the right.   If you cause an accident, personal liability may be an issue. A good travel insurance policy will also have a clause that allows travel back to the UK if a medical emergency arises.

What Should I Look For In Travel Insurance

              Travel insurance is a safety net when abroad. A good travel insurance policy should cover you for medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad, 24 hour emergency service and assistance and personal liability cover in case you are sued for causing injury or damaging property.

              Other things to consider when purchasing travel insurance are, what is the value of your lost and stolen possessions cover? What's the maximum you can claim on a single piece of your inventory? Are you covered for cancellation and/or curtailment of your flight or ferry? Does your policy have extra cover for activities that are usually not included standard policies, such as jet skiing or adventure activities? Are there any financial insurances in case your carrier airline becomes bankrupt before or during your excursion abroad?

Socio-political Issues

              The southern territories of Thailand are having some serious problems with political insurgencies. There have been numerous shooting and bombings in the area. The government have a sate of martial law. This makes it legal to be stopped without reason and searched. Documentation can also be taken and stored away. If you are planning on travelling through this area, make sure of your own safety and if at all possible take a different route to avoid the area.

              There have been several terrorist attacks in the last few years, most notably the Bali bombings in October 2005. These are indiscriminate attacks often aimed at Western holiday makers.  

Political unrest has caused some major issues recently for holiday makers to Thailand. In November 2008 both Thai airport were shut down after grenade attacks by protesters. These were the cause of several fatalities.

Thailand has a crime of opportunity attitude. Many people have fallen foul of bag-snatchers on motorcycles and pick pockets. Credit card cloning is also common place in Thailand. Travel insurance can help with stolen possessions, but credit card fraud is dealt with by your bank.

              Thailand has a serious drug problem. These are illegal in Thailand with very severe penalties, including death, but are very common none the less. Sadly drink spiking and date rape are occasionally reported in Thailand. Common sense applies in nightclubs as it does In the UK.

              Due to the severity of penalties for crime in Thailand it is strongly recommended to know the address for the British Consulate, below, and to use common sense and vigilance throughout your visit. Thailand has a lot to offer as a destination with panoramic view and a culture stretching back millennia. Always check thoroughly any hire equipment and check that any motorbikes or vehicles are road legal. Quad bikes are not road legal but are often rented from roadside stalls for example.

              It is strongly recommended that full travel and medical insurance is purchased before travelling to Thailand. There is a high chance that travel insurance will be used if visiting for the Full Moon festival on Phangan Island.

The British consulate is located in the capital, Bangkok at:

14 Wireless Road
Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Bangkok

Telephone: +66 (0) 2 305 8333
Fax: +66 (0)2 255 9278

Office hours (Local time):
Mon-Thurs: 08:00-12:00 / 12:45-16:30
Fri: 08:00-13:00