Photo © Pakin Songmor

Travel Insurance when visiting Thailand

Turquoise waters, vibrant culture, lush jungles and Tuk Tuks

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Thailand, with its white sand beaches, beautiful temples, and island hideaways is a top destination for Aussies looking to unwind. Although Thailand is a friendly country that welcomes many visitors each year, the unexpected can happen on a trip here, which is why you should consider buying travel insurance.

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 can offer cover for other key events such as:

  • Medical evacuation and repatriation back to Australia
  • Cancellation/trip interruption
  • Emergency overseas medical
  • Delays or missed flights
  • Lost, stolen or damaged baggage
  • Travel delay/curtailment.

Why should I consider insurance coverage for Thailand?

World Nomads has two travel insurance plans to choose from, Standard and 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 Australia, as this can be very costly.

Traveller tip 1: to travel to Thailand, you’ll need to seek permission to enter the country using the Royal Thai Government’s online platform – Thailand Pass. Requirements for a Thailand Pass include a vaccination certificate, a negative COVID test taken three days before departure and travel insurance with a minimum coverage of AUD$70,000.

What to look out for when travelling around Thailand

Beware of theft and pickpockets

While Thailand is a relatively safe place 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, as you’ll need proof of ownership to make a claim should your items get stolen. 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.

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 hereMake 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.

Traveller tip 2: if you’re a victim of 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.

Surviving traveller's diarrhea

You're going to find a variety of delicious food while travelling 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 area, 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.
  • Don't drink tap water in Thailand – stick to bottled, boiled, filtered, or treated water.
  • If you lose more fluids than you can keep down, seek help and use rehydration sachets.

Riding Motorbikes and Scooters

With so many novice riders on the road, it's not surprising that we see everything from exhaust pipe burns to extreme injuries caused by 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 home 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).

What do I do if I’m sick or injured and need assistance?

When it comes to any activity or sport, safety should always come first. Responsible behavior is vital for your health and safety. If you need emergency medical treatment or evacuation, you, or someone with you, should contact our 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible. They will contact a suitable assistance or ambulance company and arrange medical care.

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.

Reconnect with the world with our travel insurance cover for some Coronavirus-related events

Itching to travel again?

Explore the world with our plans that provide cover for some Coronavirus-related (including COVID-19-related) events, including emergency overseas medical, evacuation, cancellation cover and more. Find out what cover applies to your Country of Residence, and the key benefit limits depending on which plan you purchase. Happy and safe travels!

Overseas medical expenses

If a qualified medical practitioner diagnoses you with Coronavirus while you’re travelling, we may offer emergency medical benefits to help you get back on your feet.

Standard plan:
$5,000,000 Single
$100,000,000 Couple/Duo/Family

Explorer plan: 
Unlimited

Medical transport & repatriation home

If you become seriously sick or injured during your trip (and it's not considered an 'existing medical condition' as defined in the Policy Document) we may be able to help with cover for medical transport to the nearest or most appropriate medical facility, or back home to recover.

Standard plan:
$500,000 Single
$1,000,000 Couple/Duo/Family

Explorer plan: 
Unlimited

Funeral expenses or repatriation of your remains

If the worst happens and you die from Coronavirus while overseas, we offer benefits to help your family with the costs of a funeral overseas, or if available, bringing you back to your home country.

Standard plan:
$25,000 Single
$50,000 Couple/Duo/Family

Explorer plan:
$25,000 Single
$50,000 Couple/Duo/Family

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (cancellation pre and on-trip)

Had to cancel your trip because you, a travel companion, or your close relative back home have been diagnosed with Coronavirus? Our cover may help with your cancellation costs.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
$2,500* Single

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (travel and accommodation costs on-trip)

Can’t stay at your pre-booked accommodation because it’s closed for cleaning due to a confirmed case of Coronavirus at the accommodation? We may be able to help with reasonable additional travel and accommodation nearby.

Unable to board your plane, train, or other scheduled transport because you’re suspected of having Coronavirus? We offer cover for your unexpected additional accommodation, meals and transport costs as needed.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
$2,500*

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (on-trip quarantine related cost)

You or your travel companion quarantining due to your or their diagnosis of, (or confirmed close contact with a case of) Coronavirus? We may be able to help with cover for your reasonable additional travel, meals, and accommodation, including in-room entertainment.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
$2,500*

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (Essential Workers)

Are you or a member of your travelling party an essential healthcare worker? If you or they are permanently employed as a healthcare or residential care worker or a law enforcement officer, and your or their pre-arranged leave is cancelled because of Coronavirus, then our cover can help.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
$2,500*

Coronavirus Travel Costs (pet and childcare costs on-trip)

Diagnosed with Coronavirus while travelling and unable to take care of your dependent children and/or pets? Our travel insurance policies may help with cover for reasonable additional childcare and pet care costs (Pet care services covered include kennel and cattery boarding fees or pet sitting services, in your Country of Residence.)

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
$2,500*

Disclaimer: All the information we provide about travel insurance is a summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Make sure you read your Policy Document carefully for a full description of coverage. *This is the maximum limit (per insured person) available for all events combined under the Coronavirus Travel Costs section. Limits are not increased for dependent children.

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 lickety-split

  • 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
This is a general summary for Australian residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the policy documents for full details.

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?

Phone: +61 2 8263 0470 or Phone: +61 2 8292 1470 (reverse charges via an operator from anywhere in the world)

Contact the team