Travel Insurance

[skyborn]

I'm making my first trip to Patts and I'm thinking of renting a motorbike. I def know I need to get travel insurance regardless, I'm just curious if anybodies ever had to use it, whats your story?

[Buddy Edgewood]

Yes, you should get travel insurance.  However, keep in mind that medical expenses are likely reimbursed, once you get home.  If you're injured or get sick in Thailand, the hospital will expect you to pay cash (I learned this during my last trip).  Also, if you're going to rent a bike in Thailand, make sure you have a motorcycle license from your home country.  Otherwise you risk getting a ticket, which is more of a pain in the ass than the actual fine.  IMO, it's not worth renting a bike, the traffic is not kind to those who are not accustomed to driving a bike in Thailand.  There's a reason Thailand ranks 4th in road fatalities in the world.  

 

On the bright side, there are plenty of baht buses around to get you to where you want to go.  

[biggles]

I have taken out travel insurance for the last 10-12 years and I ride a bike in Thailand. You need to read the Policy Exclusions section for the details you need before you sign up as they vary between companies. Some dont allow any motor bike riding, some insist on a valid home country licence while some want a valid licence in your holiday country. Those that do allow bikes will usually limit size to 125cc.

[matrix123]

Yes, you need to read the fine prints. I only use the travel insurance on my credit card. It is very basic and a lots of activities are not covered. Last year, I had a little accident in Pattaya. I went to the Pattaya International Hospital on Soi 4. I could use my credit card to pay for the bills. Just make sure you keep all of the bills and the letter from the doctor. To file a claim is very straight forward.

[RCR]

I've had experience claiming on travel insurance -

 

I had a stroke one night in Pattaya - I collapsed on the beach front unable to walk or talk and a freelancer half carried me to my hotel (smart move - keep a hotel card in your wallet). The freelancer washed my face and shirt - both covered with blood from my fall. I thought at the time I had been drugged, that's what it felt like. The next day the "drugs" hadn't worn off. I self diagnosed stroke mainly because the right half of my face was drooping badly.I baht-bussed to the nearest hospital - Pattaya Memorial. I had my passport and details of my insurance with me. They took both. Insurance turned out to be a mixed blessing. The hospital over-serviced me, over-charged for everything  and kept me in longer than was necessary. They also  promptly upgraded me to a private suite when I complained about the behaviour of an unruly Indian family in the public ward, and insisted on me staying in hospital until they could schedule an escorted flight back to Melbourne (nice but not necessary). They had me at their mercy - they wouldn't sign a release (necessary to fly) until they had milked the insurance company for every baht they could get away with.

 

Meanwhile, the Thai representatives of the insurance company and the accounts department of the hospital pestered me every day on the phone and in person with difficult questions: (address in Australia? why no parents or wife or children?). These things may seem minor but someone who has had a stroke tends to be emotionally fragile and can't talk or think. It was a nightmare They also wanted forms filled out. Even now I can barely write at the level of a five year old. I was nearly in tears trying to remember how to write a date.

 

The escorted flight home - ambulance to the airport - wheelchair in the airport - business class seat, driven from Melbourne Airport to home by the doctor was all very convenient but once again was not necessary and I was over serviced (the Insurance paying). I was prevented from cashing in my return flight by the hospital administration who assumed the escorted flight service would upgrade that ticket (they didn't). The Australian doctor was a scruffily dressed individual (even my two cute Thai nurses expressed their surprise and concern at his appearance. He only talked to me in grunts (After four weeks of a Thai doctor whose response to every question was to stroke my leg and say "Not worry, not worry." I needed someone to explain in English what was happening to me medically). He talked more to the rep who met us at Melbourne airport, but only to complain about the uncomfortable seats in business class and the awful food.

 

I think without insurance I would not have been seen as a bottomless pit filled with money. If they had  been charging it all to my credit card (I had a card with $20,000 limit) they might have been more cautious. The hospital billed approximately $9343AUD for four weeks (escorted flight not included).  It would have been a gamble not having insurance however - what if I had aREALLY expensive medical emergency such as a heart attack?

 

I made a choice to go to Pattaya Memorial because it was closest and most convenient. Bad decision! It is a dysfunctional hospital! I should have gone a bit further to a classier, more professional place. But then, I might not have made it - I collapsed again shortly after arriving. There was a constant stream of motor cycle accidents though so maybe if you're planning on having that sort of medical emergency they probably have a lot of experience in that area.

 

One of the cute nurses escorting me to BKK airport taking time off playing Candy Crush to acknowledge I exist -

[Harvey707]

Yes, you should get travel insurance.  However, keep in mind that medical expenses are likely reimbursed, once you get home.  If you're injured or get sick in Thailand, the hospital will expect you to pay cash (I learned this during my last trip). 

 

Only if its outpatients care. Inpatient Insurer always pays Hospital Direct...

[vimto66]

I've had experience claiming on travel insurance -

 

I had a stroke one night in Pattaya - I collapsed on the beach front unable to walk or talk and a freelancer half carried me to my hotel (smart move - keep a hotel card in your wallet). The freelancer washed my face and shirt - both covered with blood from my fall. I thought at the time I had been drugged, that's what it felt like. The next day the "drugs" hadn't worn off. I self diagnosed stroke mainly because the right half of my face was drooping badly.I baht-bussed to the nearest hospital - Pattaya Memorial. I had my passport and details of my insurance with me. They took both. Insurance turned out to be a mixed blessing. The hospital over-serviced me, over-charged for everything  and kept me in longer than was necessary. They also  promptly upgraded me to a private suite when I complained about the behaviour of an unruly Indian family in the public ward, and insisted on me staying in hospital until they could schedule an escorted flight back to Melbourne (nice but not necessary). They had me at their mercy - they wouldn't sign a release (necessary to fly) until they had milked the insurance company for every baht they could get away with.

 

Meanwhile, the Thai representatives of the insurance company and the accounts department of the hospital pestered me every day on the phone and in person with difficult questions: (address in Australia? why no parents or wife or children?). These things may seem minor but someone who has had a stroke tends to be emotionally fragile and can't talk or think. It was a nightmare They also wanted forms filled out. Even now I can barely write at the level of a five year old. I was nearly in tears trying to remember how to write a date.

 

The escorted flight home - ambulance to the airport - wheelchair in the airport - business class seat, driven from Melbourne Airport to home by the doctor was all very convenient but once again was not necessary and I was over serviced (the Insurance paying). I was prevented from cashing in my return flight by the hospital administration who assumed the escorted flight service would upgrade that ticket (they didn't). The Australian doctor was a scruffily dressed individual (even my two cute Thai nurses expressed their surprise and concern at his appearance. He only talked to me in grunts (After four weeks of a Thai doctor whose response to every question was to stroke my leg and say "Not worry, not worry." I needed someone to explain in English what was happening to me medically). He talked more to the rep who met us at Melbourne airport, but only to complain about the uncomfortable seats in business class and the awful food.

 

I think without insurance I would not have been seen as a bottomless pit filled with money. If they had  been charging it all to my credit card (I had a card with $20,000 limit) they might have been more cautious. The hospital billed approximately $9343AUD for four weeks (escorted flight not included).  It would have been a gamble not having insurance however - what if I had aREALLY expensive medical emergency such as a heart attack?

 

I made a choice to go to Pattaya Memorial because it was closest and most convenient. Bad decision! It is a dysfunctional hospital! I should have gone a bit further to a classier, more professional place. But then, I might not have made it - I collapsed again shortly after arriving. There was a constant stream of motor cycle accidents though so maybe if you're planning on having that sort of medical emergency they probably have a lot of experience in that area.

 

One of the cute nurses escorting me to BKK airport taking time off playing Candy Crush to acknowledge I exist -

I remember you posting this tale some time ago,and all that went with it.I think you were staying at the whitehouse condotel down soi13 if i remember rightly,it was a very sobering tale about what can happen unnexpectedly,and another reminder to people get themselves insured!

[Harvey707]

I've had experience claiming on travel insurance -

 

I had a stroke one night in Pattaya - I collapsed on the beach front unable to walk or talk and a freelancer half carried me to my hotel (smart move - keep a hotel card in your wallet). The freelancer washed my face and shirt - both covered with blood from my fall. I thought at the time I had been drugged, that's what it felt like. The next day the "drugs" hadn't worn off. I self diagnosed stroke mainly because the right half of my face was drooping badly.I baht-bussed to the nearest hospital - Pattaya Memorial. I had my passport and details of my insurance with me. They took both. Insurance turned out to be a mixed blessing. The hospital over-serviced me, over-charged for everything  and kept me in longer than was necessary. They also  promptly upgraded me to a private suite when I complained about the behaviour of an unruly Indian family in the public ward, and insisted on me staying in hospital until they could schedule an escorted flight back to Melbourne (nice but not necessary). They had me at their mercy - they wouldn't sign a release (necessary to fly) until they had milked the insurance company for every baht they could get away with.

 

Meanwhile, the Thai representatives of the insurance company and the accounts department of the hospital pestered me every day on the phone and in person with difficult questions: (address in Australia? why no parents or wife or children?). These things may seem minor but someone who has had a stroke tends to be emotionally fragile and can't talk or think. It was a nightmare They also wanted forms filled out. Even now I can barely write at the level of a five year old. I was nearly in tears trying to remember how to write a date.

 

The escorted flight home - ambulance to the airport - wheelchair in the airport - business class seat, driven from Melbourne Airport to home by the doctor was all very convenient but once again was not necessary and I was over serviced (the Insurance paying). I was prevented from cashing in my return flight by the hospital administration who assumed the escorted flight service would upgrade that ticket (they didn't). The Australian doctor was a scruffily dressed individual (even my two cute Thai nurses expressed their surprise and concern at his appearance. He only talked to me in grunts (After four weeks of a Thai doctor whose response to every question was to stroke my leg and say "Not worry, not worry." I needed someone to explain in English what was happening to me medically). He talked more to the rep who met us at Melbourne airport, but only to complain about the uncomfortable seats in business class and the awful food.

 

I think without insurance I would not have been seen as a bottomless pit filled with money. If they had  been charging it all to my credit card (I had a card with $20,000 limit) they might have been more cautious. The hospital billed approximately $9343AUD for four weeks (escorted flight not included).  It would have been a gamble not having insurance however - what if I had aREALLY expensive medical emergency such as a heart attack?

 

I made a choice to go to Pattaya Memorial because it was closest and most convenient. Bad decision! It is a dysfunctional hospital! I should have gone a bit further to a classier, more professional place. But then, I might not have made it - I collapsed again shortly after arriving. There was a constant stream of motor cycle accidents though so maybe if you're planning on having that sort of medical emergency they probably have a lot of experience in that area.

 

One of the cute nurses escorting me to BKK airport taking time off playing Candy Crush to acknowledge I exist -

 

Cant help thinking that 9343 AUD charged to the Insurance was incredibly cheap for your illness  ??  Or have you accidentally missed a digit off there  ??  Thats only around £4600 at current fx rates ??

[RCR]

My browser won't allow direct  quotes but to answer the last two responses to my rambling account of insurance and Thai hospitals:

 

Yes, in an earlier post I mentioned how the manager of my hotel (Whitehouse Condotel, soi 13) did exactly the right thing when he discovered I was in hospital - he visited me bringing all my belongings and a promise he would refund the balance of my hotel stay. First, my computers and charging cords made my hospital stay much more bearable. Second, the refund showed up back in bank within a week. Also, I must give credit to the doorman at Mixx, who recognised there was something wrong with me and insisted I sit on his chair until I felt fit enough to carry on. And also, I must give credit to the freelancer on Beach Road who half carried me back to the hotel and cleaned the blood off me. All too often we have bad things to say about bouncers and freelancers. These ones deserve a Thai Tourism Award.

 

The query over the cost - no it's correct. Hospital = 235289 Baht plus excess = 2972 Baht. Total = 238261 Baht (or $9343 AUD) Add on the cost of the escorted flight.

 

The point I was trying to make was, knowing I was insured, the hospital kept me in longer than was necessary. I've posted the bill. As you can see, they charged an inflated price for every little thing . For example: Physical Therapy = 12500 Baht which consisted of a therapist visiting twice and walking me down the corridor and up and down the stairs and LENDING me a rubber ball to squeeze.

[skyborn]

I've had experience claiming on travel insurance -

 

I had a stroke one night in Pattaya - I collapsed on the beach front unable to walk or talk and a freelancer half carried me to my hotel (smart move - keep a hotel card in your wallet). The freelancer washed my face and shirt - both covered with blood from my fall. I thought at the time I had been drugged, that's what it felt like. The next day the "drugs" hadn't worn off. I self diagnosed stroke mainly because the right half of my face was drooping badly.I baht-bussed to the nearest hospital - Pattaya Memorial. I had my passport and details of my insurance with me. They took both. Insurance turned out to be a mixed blessing. The hospital over-serviced me, over-charged for everything  and kept me in longer than was necessary. They also  promptly upgraded me to a private suite when I complained about the behaviour of an unruly Indian family in the public ward, and insisted on me staying in hospital until they could schedule an escorted flight back to Melbourne (nice but not necessary). They had me at their mercy - they wouldn't sign a release (necessary to fly) until they had milked the insurance company for every baht they could get away with.

 

Meanwhile, the Thai representatives of the insurance company and the accounts department of the hospital pestered me every day on the phone and in person with difficult questions: (address in Australia? why no parents or wife or children?). These things may seem minor but someone who has had a stroke tends to be emotionally fragile and can't talk or think. It was a nightmare They also wanted forms filled out. Even now I can barely write at the level of a five year old. I was nearly in tears trying to remember how to write a date.

 

The escorted flight home - ambulance to the airport - wheelchair in the airport - business class seat, driven from Melbourne Airport to home by the doctor was all very convenient but once again was not necessary and I was over serviced (the Insurance paying). I was prevented from cashing in my return flight by the hospital administration who assumed the escorted flight service would upgrade that ticket (they didn't). The Australian doctor was a scruffily dressed individual (even my two cute Thai nurses expressed their surprise and concern at his appearance. He only talked to me in grunts (After four weeks of a Thai doctor whose response to every question was to stroke my leg and say "Not worry, not worry." I needed someone to explain in English what was happening to me medically). He talked more to the rep who met us at Melbourne airport, but only to complain about the uncomfortable seats in business class and the awful food.

 

I think without insurance I would not have been seen as a bottomless pit filled with money. If they had  been charging it all to my credit card (I had a card with $20,000 limit) they might have been more cautious. The hospital billed approximately $9343AUD for four weeks (escorted flight not included).  It would have been a gamble not having insurance however - what if I had aREALLY expensive medical emergency such as a heart attack?

 

I made a choice to go to Pattaya Memorial because it was closest and most convenient. Bad decision! It is a dysfunctional hospital! I should have gone a bit further to a classier, more professional place. But then, I might not have made it - I collapsed again shortly after arriving. There was a constant stream of motor cycle accidents though so maybe if you're planning on having that sort of medical emergency they probably have a lot of experience in that area.

 

One of the cute nurses escorting me to BKK airport taking time off playing Candy Crush to acknowledge I exist -

RCR,

 

Great Info and good reminder of what can happen when you travel to 3rd world countries. I will probably hold off on renting the scooter, I had no idea that you are reimbursed for acute care. That's just another reason why these boards are invaluable.

[Harvey707]

My browser won't allow direct  quotes but to answer the last two responses to my rambling account of insurance and Thai hospitals:

 

Yes, in an earlier post I mentioned how the manager of my hotel (Whitehouse Condotel, soi 13) did exactly the right thing when he discovered I was in hospital - he visited me bringing all my belongings and a promise he would refund the balance of my hotel stay. First, my computers and charging cords made my hospital stay much more bearable. Second, the refund showed up back in bank within a week. Also, I must give credit to the doorman at Mixx, who recognised there was something wrong with me and insisted I sit on his chair until I felt fit enough to carry on. And also, I must give credit to the freelancer on Beach Road who half carried me back to the hotel and cleaned the blood off me. All too often we have bad things to say about bouncers and freelancers. These ones deserve a Thai Tourism Award.

 

The query over the cost - no it's correct. Hospital = 235289 Baht plus excess = 2972 Baht. Total = 238261 Baht (or $9343 AUD) Add on the cost of the escorted flight.

 

The point I was trying to make was, knowing I was insured, the hospital kept me in longer than was necessary. I've posted the bill. As you can see, they charged an inflated price for every little thing . For example: Physical Therapy = 12500 Baht which consisted of a therapist visiting twice and walking me down the corridor and up and down the stairs and LENDING me a rubber ball to squeeze.

 

Ok well we'll perhaps have to agree to disagree. That Bill is very cheap for a Stroke.I cant imagine what the Bill would have been in an European Country or god forbid the States

[george26]

I always buy travel insurance but luckily I've never had to use it. Hearing the horror stories of ridiculous medical bills is enough to pay a small amount for peace of mind. Also check with your bank because some credit cards give you complimentary travel insurance.