I’ve been doing long-term trips since 2021, and because I wasn’t really happy with the Czech insurance companies, I started looking for more flexible, easier and cheaper options. That’s when I discovered SafetyWing, an insurance company covering health and travel worldwide. So naturally, I’ve been using it also after I moved to Bangkok.
I know that travel insurance is definitely not the most exciting part of planning a Thailand trip, but it should really be on your priority list. Thailand is an easy country to travel in, but things can still go wrong. You can get food poisoning, have a scooter accident, deal with travel delays, or suddenly need to visit a hospital.
And while Thailand has some excellent private hospitals, medical bills can become very expensive if you are paying out of pocket. So in this article, I want to talk about the travel insurance I personally use and recommend for Thailand: SafetyWing. I’ll explain why I think travel insurance for Thailand is important, why I use SafetyWing, and whether I think it’s worth it.
Important note: This article is based on my personal experience and research. It is not financial or insurance advice. Travel insurance policies can change, so always read the latest SafetyWing policy wording before buying, especially when it comes to medical coverage, motorbike accidents, adventure activities, pre-existing conditions, deductibles and exclusions.
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My Experience: Travel Insurance for Thailand
I don’t remember ever going on a trip without travel insurance. When I go to a foreign country, I just want to feel at peace, and that’s what travel insurance gives me. I really struggle to understand how people travel overseas without anything, especially to Thailand, where a three-day stay in hospital can cost a few thousand dollars.
I was lucky enough not to have any major hospital emergencies in Thailand. However, my husband got dengue fever, and after about four days of still not feeling great, he went to see a doctor, got checked, had a blood test, and received a bill of around 400 USD, which was fully covered by SafetyWing.
Why I Use Travel Health Insurance for Thailand
I don’t want to sound dramatic, but I really do think travel insurance for Thailand is important. Not because Thailand is dangerous, I really don’t think it is, but because for many travellers, it’s not a country where you come and spend all your time by the hotel pool.
Thailand is a place you visit when you crave adventure: diving, snorkelling, scooter driving, hiking in the jungle, zip-lining, travelling on speedboats, and trying new street food. All of these come with a little risk. You might get bitten by a dog or monkey, get sick, get food poisoning, have an accident on a scooter, or simply cross a busy road in Bangkok and be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Luckily, Thailand has very good hospitals, especially in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Koh Samui, but private hospitals are expensive. If something happens, I don’t want to be thinking about whether I can afford treatment.
That’s why I’ve been using SafetyWing, which is a great option for long-term travellers and digital nomads.
➞ Planning activities in Thailand? Browse popular Thailand tours and experiences but make sure your travel insurance covers the activities you book.
Why I Believe SafetyWing Is the Best Travel Insurance for Thailand
A lot of traditional travel insurance policies are built around one fixed trip. I remember when I went to Crete for a month many years ago and had travel insurance from a different provider. Because I extended my trip by two extra days, I had to spend 30 minutes on the phone with one of their representatives just to extend it. I found it very painful and outdated.
I like SafetyWing because it’s simple, flexible, easy to set up online, and designed for people who travel internationally. It makes great sense for the way many people actually travel in Thailand, not always with fixed dates, perfect plans, and a return ticket booked months in advance.
You don’t need to sit through phone calls or deal with complicated paperwork. You can just sign up online and manage it from your laptop.
What I also like is that you can choose the length of coverage based on your trip. You can either subscribe to monthly payments, which will be automatically taken from your card every month so you don’t have to think about it, or if you are going away just for a few weeks, you can purchase your insurance for a specific period, just tick “Pay in full for specific dates” when purchasing the insurance.
➞ That said, SafetyWing may not be the best option for everyone. If you are travelling with expensive camera gear or have pre-existing conditions, you need to read the policy carefully and make sure you are really covered.
SafetyWing Travel Insurance Plans
SafetyWing currently has different insurance options, so make sure you choose the one that fits your trip.
Option 1: Nomad Insurance Essential
Nomad Essential plan is more travel-focused option and is designed for things like unexpected illness, injuries, surgeries, and emergency medical situations while travelling abroad. It also includes cover for things like lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency evacuations. The great thing is that it offers coverage for up to 364 days at a time.
The cost: from 63 USD per month
Option 2: Nomad Insurance Complete
Nomad Complete plan is actually a full health insurance plan with extra travel protections, ideal for people living abroad, travelling long-term, or those who want more complete ongoing coverage.
The cost: from 177 USD per month
What Insurance Should You Choose?
For most people coming to Thailand as tourists, backpackers or flexible travellers, Nomad Insurance Essential is probably the plan to look at first. But again, don’t just rely on my summary. I recommend reading the latest details on SafetyWing’s website and checking what is included and excluded.
➞ Compare SafetyWing plans here
Why SafetyWing Is My Favorite Travel Insurance
- Great and easy-to-use website: Their website is clean, modern and user-friendly. I always find everything I need within seconds, and the language they use to describe their policies actually feels human.
- Helpful online support: Whenever I needed to sort something out with my plan, had a question, or needed additional information, their online support was quick and helpful.
- You can sign up from anywhere: Many insurance companies require you to be in your home country when you purchase their travel insurance. But sometimes you forget and only remember once you are already abroad. With SafetyWing, you can be almost anywhere in the world when you start your plan.
- You can cancel the Essential plan anytime: Maybe there is a change of plans and you need to go back home, or for whatever reason you might not need the Essential plan anymore. You can cancel it anytime, without giving a reason, and you’ll be refunded the unused portion.
- Easy claims process: My husband got reimbursed for his dengue fever bill within a few days, and the whole process was pretty straightforward without any unnecessary delays.
- You are covered for up to a year: I’m not sure what the insurance conditions are in other countries, but in my country, most travel insurance offers require that you can stay abroad for a maximum of three months before you have to come back. This doesn’t really work if you want to travel for longer. With SafetyWing, the Essential plan can cover you for up to 364 days, and after that, you can start a new one.
Is SafetyWing Good for Motorbike Travel in Thailand?
Scooter accidents in Thailand are extremely common, and this is exactly why you need to check your insurance properly. According to SafetyWing’s website, you’ll be covered while riding a motorbike or scooter if you are properly licensed, wearing all required safety equipment, and not intoxicated. But I recommend checking the latest policy wording yourself or contacting their online support for additional info.
This is especially important in Thailand, where many travellers rent scooters on islands without fully understanding the insurance rules.
Plan your Thailand trip
A few things worth sorting early
FAQ: Travel Insurance for Thailand
Do You Really Need Travel Insurance for Thailand?
Yes, I strongly recommend travel insurance for Thailand. Medical treatment, accidents, lost belongings and travel delays can become expensive if you’re not insured.
Is SafetyWing Good for Thailand?
Yes, SafetyWing is a good option for Thailand, especially for backpackers, digital nomads and long-term travellers.
What Is the Cheapest Travel Insurance for Thailand?
I am not sure about the absolute cheapest, but the SafetyWing Essential plan costs from 63 USD per month. And that’s a pretty good deal.
Is Travel Insurance Required for Thailand?
At the moment, when you travel to Thailand, you don’t need to show proof of valid travel insurance at immigration. However, Thailand’s entry requirements can change, so always check the latest official rules before travelling. Even when travel insurance is not required, I still strongly recommend having it.
Final Thoughts on the Travel Insurance for Thailand
I am going to repeat myself here, but I think some of the best money you can spend during your trip to Thailand is on travel insurance. I think 63 USD is not the amount that will bankrupt you. And it’s still much better than paying thousands for medical care later on.
So do yourself a favour, head to SafetyWing to learn more, and book your travel insurance for Thailand today.
Check Out My Other Thailand Guides
- Best Time to Book Hotels in Thailand — when to book for the best rates by season
- Bangkok Travel Guide for First-Timers — everything you need to know
- Best Hotel Booking Sites for Thailand — Agoda vs Booking.com vs direct, compared
- Where to Stay in Bangkok: Best Areas + Hotel Guide — neighbourhood breakdown for Bangkok
- Thailand Travel Cost — full budget breakdown including accommodation
- How to Get Around Thailand — transport between destinations
- What to Pack for Thailand – my personal tips and packing lists
