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Best Travel Insurance for Thailand in 2024

  • U.S. health insurance is typically not accepted in Thailand, so it’s a good idea to purchase travel medical insurance for your trip.
  • Based on our research, our top picks for travel insurance for a trip to Thailand come from Tin Leg, Seven Corners, and John Hancock.
  • Comprehensive travel insurance policies will usually cover medical emergencies and evacuation, trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, and lost or stolen baggage.
  • Travel insurance can cost as little as around $1 per day for the most basic medical and medical evacuation coverage.
  • To find the best travel insurance for your trip to Thailand, try using an online comparison tool. This way, you get multiple quotes and compare all your coverage options to find the best deal.

Our top picks for the best Thailand travel insurance

Advertiser Disclosure
Best Rated Travel Isurance

Tin Leg

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.6
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $500,000
Best Value for Medical Emergencies

Seven Corners

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.37
Preferred Plan
Trip Protection Choice
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $1,000,000
Best plan for a Solid Coverage

John Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc.

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.21
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000

Do I need travel insurance to visit Thailand?

You are not legally required to have travel insurance to visit Thailand, but it’s advised that you have the protection and support you need in case of illness, injury, theft, or other travel hiccups, as US medical insurance is not applicable in Thailand.

Below are some risks that could make getting travel insurance worthwhile for your trip to Thailand.

Our top picks for the best Thailand travel insurance

Advertiser Disclosure

Best Rated Travel Isurance

Full Policy Details

Tin Leg

4.6
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

PROS

  • Excellent primary coverage for medical expenses
  • High limit for emergency evacuation coverage
  • Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage available
  • Comes with coverage for hurricanes and inclement weather
  • Coverage for pre-existing conditions is available if purchased within 14 days of the trip deposit

CONS

  • Baggage delay coverage requires a 24-hour waiting period
  • Low coverage limits for baggage and personal effects

Best Value for Medical Emergencies

Full Policy Details

Seven Corners

4.37
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Trip Protection Choice
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

PROS

  • Offers coverage for pre-existing conditions
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Cancellation & Interruption coverage standard
  • Covers action sports & equipment

CONS

  • Cancel for any reason not included standard
  • Must meet waiver for pre-existing conditions to be covered

Best plan for a Solid Coverage

Full Policy Details

John Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc.

4.21
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

PROS

  • Travel delay coverage kicks in after just three hours
  • Generous coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • Optional CFAR upgrade available
  • Baggage insurance comes with generous limits of up to $2,500
  • Terror attack coverage included

CONS

  • Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour waiting period

What does travel insurance for Thailand cover?

Travel insurance policies can differ greatly depending on the insurer and other factors, such as the size of the deductible or the provider you choose.

Consider these types of coverage when purchasing travel insurance for your trip to Thailand.

Trip cancellation insurance

If you need to cancel your trip to Thailand for a covered reason, trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for pre-paid travel expenses that are non-refundable.

It’s important to note, though, that trip cancellation insurance is far from universal. If you just decide you don’t feel like going to Thailand anymore or your boss refuses to give you the time off, your cancellation clause may not apply. Some medical conditions, like pregnancy, are also not covered as a covered reason for cancellation. 

Read the fine print carefully to see what’s covered and what isn’t, and consider a CFAR (cancel for any reason) policy if you have additional concerns. With this type of coverage, you can cancel your travel plans for any reason at all and get back around 50% to 70% of your prepaid travel expenses.

Trip delay insurance

Chances are you don’t have a direct flight from your hometown to Thailand. Most people will have to grab one, if not two or three, connecting flights, and that means more layovers and more opportunities for your schedule to go awry. If your flight is delayed and you miss a connection, trip delay insurance kicks in to cover your expenses while you’re stuck in an airport or intermediary city.

Most delay policies have a grace period before they kick in, so you may have to wait 6 or 12 hours before you get reimbursement for delay-related expenses. But once that period has passed, you can make a claim for things like temporary accommodations and food plus the cost of anything you’re missing out on in Thailand while you navigate the delay.

Trip interruption insurance

Trip interruption insurance is like trip cancellation and delay policies except that it applies to a trip that’s already in progress but has to be cut short. Imagine you’re already in Thailand when you get a call about an emergency back home. You have another week of hotel, car and entertainment costs you’ve already paid for, but now you need to return home early.

Your trip interruption insurance could cover those costs so you can go home worry-free, but your reason for flying out ASAP needs to be an emergency covered by your policy (e.g., illness or death in the family, terrorism at your travel destination, etc.).

Travel medical insurance

It’s extremely doubtful your U.S. health insurance company offers any coverage while you’re abroad, so travel medical insurance is crucial. Look for policies that cover medical expenses related to both illnesses and accidents, so you’re taken care of whether you contract the common cold or need an ambulance ride after you slip and fall at the Temple of Dawn.

Medical evacuation insurance

If you become sick or are hurt beyond what a local hospital or doctor’s office can handle, you may need to be moved to another country where trauma care is more readily available. Medical evacuation insurance goes beyond medical expenses to cover transportation, like Medevac rides to get you to an advanced facility as soon as possible.

Insurance for personal items

Some travel insurance companies offer coverage that includes replacing or reimbursing you for baggage and personal items that are lost and stolen. This is a good thing to have in areas where petty theft is common, but there are always exceptions. You will likely need to file a police report to turn into your insurance company when you file a claim, and there are typically caps on how much your policy will cover.

Rental car coverage

Rental car coverage is not automatically included in Thai travel insurance, so you’ll need to ask your insurance company or consider an add-on policy. Read the fine print to see what’s covered. Collision, theft and damage due to a natural disaster are all possibilities but may not all be covered.

Why Thailand travel insurance is important

Risk of insect-borne diseases

Mosquitos are prevalent in Thailand, and they can transmit diseases like malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, filariasis and Zika. Using insect repellents and mosquito nets, avoiding affected areas and taking prophylactic medications can help prevent infection. But if you do get sick, travel insurance could make all the difference in getting care fast.

Extreme weather conditions

Thailand is a beautiful country full of waterfront vistas and lush, tropical forests, but it’s also situated in a geographic area that’s prone to floods, earthquakes and tsunamis, similar to visiting Japan. Travel insurance policies that include trip cancellation protection and emergency evacuation clauses can protect you financially if your trip is canceled or you need to get out of the country ASAP because of a natural disaster.

Petty theft and pickpockets 

Petty theft, including pick-pocketing, is a concern in many tourist areas throughout the world, and Thailand’s major cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai are no exception. Certain travel insurance policies also include reimbursement for stolen goods, such as a wallet that was snatched during a pick-pocketing event or travel documents that disappeared when your luggage vanished at the airport.

Passport and Plane Ticket
Passport and Plane Ticket

What isn’t covered by travel insurance for Thailand?

The most common travel insurance exclusions are cancellations or trip interruptions caused by what insurance companies call “known or foreseeable events.” That might be something like wanting to cut your trip short because you don’t like all the bugs in Thailand or bailing on the trip altogether because you heard it’s been raining really hard.

Other things that may not be covered include:

Tips for getting the best Thailand travel insurance

To get the best Thailand travel insurance, think about when you’re going, how you’ll get there and when you want to buy your policy. 

Then, follow these tips:

Thailand travel information & requirements

Query Details
Is a tourist visa required for U.S. visitors? Not for stays less than 30 days
How long can you stay without a visa? For 30 days; longer stays require a visa
Passport requirements Must be valid for 6 months from your date of entry
Local currency Thai Baht
Primary language Thai
Exchange rate $1 USD = 35.74 THB
Vaccine requirements Yellow Fever may be required if you’re arriving from certain countries. It’s recommended to be up-to-date on all routine vaccines.
Is a COVID test required? No
Travel advisory level Level 1 overall (exercise normal precautions); Level 3 for Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla provinces (reconsider travel)
Emergency services phone number 191
U.S. Embassy Bangkok phone number #ERROR!
Do providers in Thailand accept US health insurance? No
Is travel insurance required? No

Are there COVID-19 restrictions for U.S. tourists?

As of January 2024, there are no COVID-19 restrictions in place for U.S. tourists hoping to visit Thailand.

Do I need a visa or passport to travel to Thailand?

You only need a visa to travel to Thailand if you intend to stay longer than 30 days. Short-term stays that fall under that threshold do not require a visa. You do need a passport to enter the country, and it’s recommended your passport be valid for at least six months past your intended entry date to avoid being turned away at the border/customs.

Is it safe to visit Thailand?

According to the latest updates from the U.S. Department of State, it’s safe to travel to most parts of Thailand. The DOS puts Thailand’s overall threat rating at Level 1, which means you should exercise normal precautions. That said, there is civil unrest and a higher risk of violence in the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla, which the U.S. DOS has put at Level 3 (reconsider travel).

When is the best time to visit Thailand?

Thailand is beautiful year-round. November through March marks the dry months, following the wet season from May through October. If you’re sensitive to heat, consider avoiding Thailand in April. That’s the country’s hottest month, and temperatures then regularly hit 105° F (40° C).

FAQ: Travel insurance for Thailand

Do I really need travel insurance for Thailand?

Travel insurance for Thailand is not legally required, but a policy is recommended so you can protect yourself against everything from a canceled or delayed trip to catching the flu or dengue fever during your visit.

Is health insurance still required in Thailand?

Health insurance was required for visitors to Thailand during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that policy is no longer in place.

What is the best health insurance in Thailand for foreigners?

The best health insurance in Thailand for foreigners is the policy that offers the best coverage for your specific needs, health history, length of stay and the level of risk associated with your health or the type of activities you have planned. Try using our online comparison tool to find the best travel insurance policy for you.

Alana Luna (Musselman)
Alana Luna (Musselman) Writer & Content Strategist

Alana Luna (Musselman) is a versatile storyteller with over a decade of writing experience. She is passionate about helping people build their business through unique and engaging content. Some examples of her current freelance projects include building content strategies for small businesses, completing industry research to build case studies, crafting buyer guides and more.

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Apart from her contributions to LA Times Compare, Alana has freelanced and ghostwritten for large publications and prestigious brands such as Orbitz, Groupon, Amazon, JCPenney, Walmart and more.

How much does travel insurance for Thailand cost?

Travel insurance can cost as little as around $1 per day for the most basic medical and medical evacuation coverage. For a more comprehensive policy, you can expect to pay around $7 to $11 per day.

To give you a better idea of how much travel insurance will cost for a trip to Thailand, we got price quotes from some popular travel insurance providers.

We applied these details to our quotes:

We’ve displayed our price quotes for basic travel insurance coverage in the table below. These plans range from less than $1 per day to $6 per day.

Example Where Plan Doesn’t Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

Provider Plan Name Plan Cost Cancellation / Interruption Limits Medical / Medevac Limits
Tin Leg Standard $5 $0 / $0 $30k / $200k
Trawick International Safe Travels Explorer $26 $0 / $0 $50k / $200k
Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic $25 $0 / $1k $100k / $250k
AXA Assistance USA Silver $42 $0 / $500 $25k / $100k

A more comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers trip cancellation and trip interruption will be a bit more expensive. Our quotes from the same providers show that this type of protection costs around $7 to $11 per day.

Example Where Plan Does Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

Provider Plan Name Plan Cost Cancellation / Interruption Limits Medical / Medevac Limits
Tin Leg Standard $52 $2k / $3k $30k / $200k
Trawick International Safe Travels Explorer $61 $2k / $2k $50k / $200k
Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic $75 $2k / $2k $100k / $250k
AXA Assistance USA Silver $69 $2k / $2k $25k / $100k

Keep in mind that the final cost of your Thailand travel insurance will depend on a variety of factors, including the following:

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