Do I need travel insurance when travelling to Thailand?

If you cannot afford insurance, you cannot afford to travel. This may seem an exaggerated claim but the financial consequences of misadventures while travelling can be staggering. Emergency medical care, disrupted travel plans or local trouble can lead to extraordinary out of pocket expenses and it is crucial that you have a policy if worse comes to worse. This is true no matter where you travel, but we shall focus on why you need insurance when travelling to Thailand

Car and Moped Accidents

Bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles are a very popular form of local transport and many tourists will rent their own to get around. However, Thai roads can be incredibly crowded and inexperienced riders will find it difficult to navigate safely and may have serious accidents. The roads in Thailand are often in relatively poor repair which can make safe driving difficult even for experienced drivers. Local cabs, called tuk-tuk’s, are a cheap way to avoid these risks but the cautious traveller should be aware that it is not at all uncommon for tuk-tuk’s to be involved in accidents. Make sure you have travel insurance that covers any liability you may incur in such cases.

Tropical Diseases

The fantastic tropical climate attracts a great many tourists to Thailand’s beaches and coastlines, but this same climate creates conditions ideal for numerous tropical diseases. These diseases are much more prevalent in the countryside than in urban areas, but regardless of where one might be travelling it is important to take precautions against mosquito bites. Malaria dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, and Japanese encephalitis require urgent medical treatment and medical repatriation in serious cases.

Political Instability

In April 2010, the Thai government has declared a state of emergency in certain parts of the country. The threat of violent civil unrest or terrorist activity is very high in some parts of the country and the ongoing border dispute in the south with Cambodia has led to armed clashes between the two states. The Thai government is working towards stabilising these areas but these conflicts may break open into widespread instability that can seriously hamper travel plans.

For great insurance deals, try Allianz Travel Insurance