Travel Insurance when visiting Thailand
Turquoise waters, vibrant culture, lush jungles and Tuk Tuks
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Thailand has something to offer budding Kiwi adventure seekers, from the idyllic Islands of Phi Phi, Koh Samui and Ko Tao to the wonderous floating markets of Amphawa in Chiang Mai. If you’ve got your sights set on Thailand, you should consider travel insurance if the unexpected happens.
With World Nomads you can buy travel insurance as soon as your trip is locked in and you're ready to go, or while you're on the road travelling around Thailand.
What’s Covered
World Nomads has two plans which cover an array of activities ranging from mountain biking to snorkelling, hiking, kayaking, surfing, scuba diving and more. We also offer cover for other key events such as:
- Medical evacuation and repatriation back to New Zealand
- Cancellation/trip interruption
- Emergency overseas medical costs
- Delays or missed flights
- Lost, stolen or damaged baggage
- Travel delay/curtailment.
Why should I consider insurance cover for Thailand?
When in Thailand, World Nomads has two travel insurance plans to choose from, Standard vs Explorer. Both plans can help if you end up in hospital with a bad case of food poisoning, or if you’ve had bags or valuables stolen. A worst-case scenario is if you are badly injured and need to be repatriated back to New Zealand as this can be very costly.
Traveller tip 1: to travel to Thailand, you’ll need to seek permission using the Royal Thai Government’s online platform – Thailand Pass and be approved before entering. Requirements for a Thailand Pass include a vaccination certificate, a negative COVID test from three days before departure and travel insurance with a minimum coverage of $NZ73,917 (AUD$70,000).
For the latest Thailand travel alerts and restrictions click here.
What to look out for when travelling around Thailand
Beware theft and pickpockets
While Thailand is amongst the safest places to travel, there is always the chance that you could be the victim of a theft. Make sure you keep a copy of your receipts in case you intend to make a claim. All World Nomads travel insurance plans will have some baggage coverage if your bags and valuables are stolen or damaged. However, with any insurance plan, benefit limits, conditions and exclusions may apply.
Traveller tip 2: if you’ve suffered a theft, get a Property Irregularity Report or other incident report from the carrier so you can submit it with your claim, as well as a police report. You should also have copies of the original receipts for your valuables and any luggage tickets.
Keep an eye on your gear 24/7
It’s very important that you NEVER leave your valuables out of sight. You can find out more about our travel cover for tech gear and other high value items here. Make copies of all key documents such as, passport, ID, travel insurance, receipts, vouchers, addresses, transportation tickets, and keep them separate from the originals so you’ll have proof of purchase if the originals go missing. Exercise caution in crowded areas and on public transport; padlocking your bags to the luggage rack if you’re on an overnight train or bus is always a good idea.
Surviving traveller's diarrhea
You're going to find a variety of delicious food while traveling in Thailand, but food preparation standards can vary. Gastro and its unpleasant side effects are one of the more common medical complaints our travellers have experienced in Thailand.
Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team can help you find a doctor, particularly useful in Thailand’s remote areas, where access to medical care is harder to come by. If your illness is serious, the team can arrange for an emergency evacuation. Hospitals in Thailand (especially around Bangkok or Phuket) are well-equipped to treat you even if they may seem less modern than facilities you’d find at home.
Here are some simple actions that can help save you in case of gastro:
- Always wash your hands before and after eating or use a hand sanitizer.
- Never eat anything that's been sitting around, even for a short while. Try to pick clean, fly-free food stalls that have a lot of people at them.
- Don't drink tap water in Thailand; stick to bottled, boiled, filtered, or treated water. Most restaurants use ice from ice factories which use purified water.
- Gastro can turn deadly quickly if you lose more fluids than you can keep down. Seek help and use rehydration sachets.
Riding Motorbikes and Scooters
It’s easy to rent a motorcycle, so it’s not surprising that we see everything from exhaust pipe burns to injuries caused by horrific crashes, which can sometimes be fatal.
If you choose to ride, be sure to select a travel insurance plan that covers motorbike and scooter use.
World Nomads coverage for travellers hurt in motorcycle accidents may include:
- Emergency medical expenses for treatment at the hospital or by a doctor at the local medical centre.
- Evacuation to more suitable medical facility if it’s urgent, medically necessary and if you’re fit to travel.
- Repatriation if you’re seriously ill or injured and unable to continue your trip.
For your coverage to take effect, certain conditions apply:
- You must have a valid driver’s license from your home country and as required in the relevant country where you're travelling.
- You need to comply with local laws and safety practices (wear a helmet, obey speed limits, and don’t drive drunk).
Traveller tip 3: if you intend to rent a car or motorbike you must check the licensing and local laws for the country you’re going to. You must also be adequately insured elsewhere, as you are not covered under this insurance for third party liability in respect of any mechanical or motorised vehicle.
If you need medical treatment, evacuation, or repatriation, you or a travel companion MUST contact our 24-hour Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible. Limits and exclusions to coverage will apply so read your policy carefully for full details.
For more details, or if you have a specific question about World Nomads insurance, please visit our online Help Center or contact us.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Overseas
Take the pain out of medical costs.
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transport
We'll get you to hospital in a flash
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Standard Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Overseas Medical Expenses
- Emergency dental treatment
- 24 hour assistance
- Emergency medical transport & repatriation
- Cancellation costs
- Trip interruption costs
- Compassionate emergency visit home
- Resumption of trip
- Theft or accidental damage to baggage and personal items
- Baggage delay over 12 hours
- Funeral expenses overseas or repatriation of remains
- Personal liability
24/7 emergency assistance
If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
From New Zealand & Overseas:
+61 2 8263 0470 or
+61 2 8292 1470
(reverse charges via an operator from anywhere in the world)
Within Australia (Free call): 1800 611 210
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.