Everything You Need to Know About Car Insurance in Thailand
It’s unfortunate that Thailand is still plagued by road accidents that claim the lives of 26,000 people every year, with hundreds of thousands more being injured in these accidents. The country had made progress in bringing down the number of road accidents over the past decade and the figure has, in fact, has fallen by over a third over this period. Despite the huge improvement, the number of road accidents here in Thailand is still high compared to its neighbours.
With that in mind, you have to protect yourself from the financial consequences of getting into a road accident by getting car insurance. You may be the most careful driver in the world but you just can’t be sure about other drivers.
How Car Insurance Works
Basically, a car insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company wherein they promise to cover the costs should your car get into an accident. You may file a claim with your car insurance company should you be affected by any of the risks that are covered by your policy.
Your role in this contract is to pay the premium for your car insurance and to make sure you understand the terms of your coverage. We’ll discuss the different types of coverage in another section of this guide.
Compulsory Motor Insurance in Thailand
As mentioned earlier, all vehicles in Thailand are required to have third party liability insurance. This Compulsory Motor Insurance (CMI or Por Ror Bor) is mandated by the Protection for Motor Vehicle Victims Act B.E. 2535. This basic insurance provides up to THB 50,000 for medical expenses and THB 200,000 for death or permanent disability to third parties involved in a car accident. The Por Ror Bor’s coverage is limited so you will need a more comprehensive insurance to protect you better.
Different Levels of Voluntary Car Insurance in Thailand
Car insurance providers here in Thailand offer products that can be categorised into three basic levels. These are:
First Class Insurance
Provides the most comprehensive covers. These types of insurance may cover the vehicle, the life of the driver and the passengers and medical expenses incurred when the car is involved in an accident. These are on top of the third party liability coverage.
Second Class Insurance
Provides collision coverage so that the costs to repair the car if it is involved in an accident.
Third Class Insurance
These car insurance products provide covers for the life of the driver, medical expenses for the driver and passengers, and third party liability coverage.
Types of Car Insurance Covers
Third Party Liability Insurance
This refers to the cover provided by your insurance for the bodily injury or death of a third party (person) or damage to property.
Collision Coverage
Provides benefits that will cover for the repair or replacement of your car if it was involved in a road accident.
Medical Payments Coverage
Refers to payout from the insurance provider for the medical expenses of those involved in the accident. The persons involved in the accident may involve the driver, passengers, and pedestrians.
Bail Bond Coverage
A necessary coverage for when you are arrested by the police in relation to a traffic accident.
Fire or Theft Coverage
You may also want to get a car insurance with fire or theft coverage which can cover the cost of replacing your car in these unfortunate events.
How to File a Claim
The process for filing a claim on your car insurance can differ depending on your insurance provider. You should read the claim procedure as stated in your policy. In general, you’d need to contact your insurer immediately in the event of a motor accident. You will also need to contact the traffic police or local official so they can produce the documents you’ll need to file a claim, especially if the accident isn’t your fault.
There’s also the risk that you get into an accident with another vehicle. If this happens, you’ll have to get the contact information of the other driver and also get help from the authorities. Always keep a copy of your insurance policy in your car and keep the number of your car insurance provider saved on your phone.
It’s unfortunate that Thailand is still plagued by road accidents that claim the lives of 26,000 people every year, with hundreds of thousands more being injured in these accidents. The country had made progress in bringing down the number of road accidents over the past decade and the figure has, in fact, has fallen by over a third over this period. Despite the huge improvement, the number of road accidents here in Thailand is still high compared to its neighbours.
With that in mind, you have to protect yourself from the financial consequences of getting into a road accident by getting car insurance. You may be the most careful driver in the world but you just can’t be sure about other drivers.
How Car Insurance Works
Basically, a car insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company wherein they promise to cover the costs should your car get into an accident. You may file a claim with your car insurance company should you be affected by any of the risks that are covered by your policy.
Your role in this contract is to pay the premium for your car insurance and to make sure you understand the terms of your coverage. We’ll discuss the different types of coverage in another section of this guide.
Compulsory Motor Insurance in Thailand
As mentioned earlier, all vehicles in Thailand are required to have third party liability insurance. This Compulsory Motor Insurance (CMI or Por Ror Bor) is mandated by the Protection for Motor Vehicle Victims Act B.E. 2535. This basic insurance provides up to THB 50,000 for medical expenses and THB 200,000 for death or permanent disability to third parties involved in a car accident. The Por Ror Bor’s coverage is limited so you will need a more comprehensive insurance to protect you better.
Different Levels of Voluntary Car Insurance in Thailand
Car insurance providers here in Thailand offer products that can be categorised into three basic levels. These are:
First Class Insurance
Provides the most comprehensive covers. These types of insurance may cover the vehicle, the life of the driver and the passengers and medical expenses incurred when the car is involved in an accident. These are on top of the third party liability coverage.
Second Class Insurance
Provides collision coverage so that the costs to repair the car if it is involved in an accident.
Third Class Insurance
These car insurance products provide covers for the life of the driver, medical expenses for the driver and passengers, and third party liability coverage.
Types of Car Insurance Covers
Third Party Liability Insurance
This refers to the cover provided by your insurance for the bodily injury or death of a third party (person) or damage to property.
Collision Coverage
Provides benefits that will cover for the repair or replacement of your car if it was involved in a road accident.
Medical Payments Coverage
Refers to payout from the insurance provider for the medical expenses of those involved in the accident. The persons involved in the accident may involve the driver, passengers, and pedestrians.
Bail Bond Coverage
A necessary coverage for when you are arrested by the police in relation to a traffic accident.
Fire or Theft Coverage
You may also want to get a car insurance with fire or theft coverage which can cover the cost of replacing your car in these unfortunate events.
How to File a Claim
The process for filing a claim on your car insurance can differ depending on your insurance provider. You should read the claim procedure as stated in your policy. In general, you’d need to contact your insurer immediately in the event of a motor accident. You will also need to contact the traffic police or local official so they can produce the documents you’ll need to file a claim, especially if the accident isn’t your fault.
There’s also the risk that you get into an accident with another vehicle. If this happens, you’ll have to get the contact information of the other driver and also get help from the authorities. Always keep a copy of your insurance policy in your car and keep the number of your car insurance provider saved on your phone.
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