Travel Insurance for Thailand
Whether you are island hopping in the south or riding the rail to the north, learn how travel insurance for Thailand can help visiting Americans.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
At a glance:
- Travel insurance benefits for Thailand may include trip cancellation, delay, and interruption
- Coverage for medical emergencies, medical evacuation, and natural disasters while abroad
- Protection for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage and personal belongings
- Coverage for 250+ adventure and sports activities across Thailand (scuba diving and rock climbing included!)
- Optional Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade for extra flexibility. Additional terms apply
- Do I need travel insurance for Thailand?
- Travel insurance for activities in Thailand
- Travel insurance for motorbiking in Thailand
- Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Thailand
- Travel insurance for lost bags in Thailand
- Travel insurance for canceled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Thailand
- Tips for traveling to Thailand from the United States
Thailand welcomes thousands of American travelers each year. Whether you’re checking out the Bangkok nightlife, the water buffalo races in Chonburi, or have your sights set on more off the beaten path spots in Thailand like Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park, there are plenty of adventures to be had in Thailand.
As nomads ourselves, we’ve had our share of fun times. We’ve danced the night away in Ko Pha-Ngan at Thailand’s epic Full Moon Parties, trekked through the jungle, and enjoyed flavorful local dishes like Khao Soi and Pad Thai. And we’ve learned a few things along the way and love to share our Thailand travel tips.
Our first tip: anything can happen on an international adventure, so we encourage you to explore travel insurance* for Thailand to protect your vacation.
Do I need travel insurance for Thailand?
When you’re planning your trip to Thailand, there are some things you just can’t foresee. We had a claim from one of our nomads who needed surgery after they broke their leg in Koh Samui. We had another claim a nomad who had a camera stolen on the crowded streets of Khao San Road in Bangkok. These events definitely weren't planned, but a World Nomads travel insurance plan for Thailand may help if you run into trouble on your overseas adventure.
With any overseas travel, there’s always going to be some things you can’t plan for - like canceled trips, natural disasters, medical emergencies, and delayed baggage. Because of these unforeseen situations, you may want to consider travel insurance. There are four plans to choose from, and when you get a quote, you can compare the options to determine the best international travel insurance for your needs.
Travel insurance for activities in Thailand
Your Thailand adventure may take you surfing in Phuket or kayaking the Run Tee River. You may also decide to hike to Tarn Lod Yai, a massive ancient sea cave. World Nomads travel insurance covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to Thailand - including surfing, kayaking, and hiking.
Not all plans cover every activity. We recommend that you think about the types of adventures and activities you’ll be doing before you get a quote for travel insurance for Thailand. This will help you select the best plan for your trip.
For example, if you want to go bungee jumping in the mountains of Chiang Mai, you’ll be covered by all plans, including the Standard Plan. If you plan on upgrading your daredevil adventures envision yourself cliff jumping in Tanote Bay on Koh Tao, go for the Explorer or the Epic Plan which has wider coverage.
Travel insurance for motorbiking in Thailand
Motorbiking is common in Thailand, and in some instances, it could be covered by your travel insurance plan- but it’s not guaranteed. Just because it’s easy to rent a motorbike there doesn’t mean you should, and it doesn’t mean you’ll be covered.
We get a lot of accident claims from nomads who hop on a motorized bike for the first time in Thailand because it’s cheap and easy to rent. However, safety is not always top priority for other drivers – speed and convenience are. The rules of the road and the road quality itself can be very different from back home in the United States. Motorbike accidents are quite common (it’s one of our most common claims) and it’s very important to know that if you don’t have the proper license for motorbiking, your travel insurance for Thailand won’t cover you.
If motorbiking is something you insist on doing, you’ll need to look at getting the proper license for motorbiking in Thailand before you leave the USA. You can get specific license requirements for Thailand on the US government’s website.
Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Thailand
Before you leave the United States, we recommend you book an appointment with our Pre-Departure Telehealth service. This non-insurance service offers online consultations 24/7 and can help you obtain necessary medications before you take off for Thailand, such as certain vaccinations or antimalarial medication. We also recommend packing a strong mosquito repellent, as this can help protect you from things like dengue fever and malaria.
While these preparations can help, there’s still a chance you could get sick or injured during your travels in Thailand. If you get lunch from a street vendor and get traveler’s diarrhea or if you're stung by a poisonous jellyfish off Koh Lanta, emergency medical travel insurance could reimburse you for certain medical expenses.
In the event that you get hurt while hiking in a remote jungle in Thailand, you may find limited medical services available. The 24/7 emergency assistance team can refer you to a place that offers the level of care you need. They can also help communicate with your medical team if they don’t speak English.
If your attending physician (and the 24/7 emergency assistance team) determines that it’s best for you to go home to the United States to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Thailand may cover the costs to get you there.
Travel insurance for lost bags in Thailand
If you’re headed to the beautiful Phi Phi Islands for a beach getaway, you’ve likely packed one (or five) new swimsuits. If you check your bags in the US and then realize that the airline lost your bag, don’t fret.
With some luck, the bag just took a detour and will eventually make its way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If this happens, with your travel insurance for Thailand, you may be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.
The first step is to contact the airline. If the airline isn’t able to help you locate your lost bag, the second step is to contact the Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery service, which is another of our non-insurance service partners. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call so you can file a lost luggage claim.
Travel insurance for canceled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Thailand
Sometimes you have the perfect getaway planned, but things happen that can cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip. When you’re choosing your travel insurance for Thailand, look for plans that cover unexpected trip interruptions.
Thailand is in an active seismic zone, and there’s the possibility of natural disasters that can affect your travels. If your trip to Krabi is canceled because an earthquake has destroyed your destination residence or the US government issues an advisory against travel to the destination, country, or region listed on your itinerary (and the advisory is issued after the date you paid for your prepaid travel arrangement and after the date you purchased your plan), your travel insurance for Thailand could help you be reimbursed for non-refundable tours and hotel accommodations that you paid for in advance.
Natural disasters can cause all sorts of delays along the way, too. Say you have a missed connection when traveling to southern Thailand to catch a cruise due to a storm. The Explorer or Epic Plan can help reimburse costs if you must pay to catch up to your planned group tour.
Or, maybe you arrive home later than anticipated because your flights back to the US are canceled or delayed due to a natural disaster and you incur additional fees to keep your pet at the kennel longer. The Explorer or Epic Plan helps cover those costs as well.
Sometimes a situation out of your control arises or you just simply change your mind about a trip. CFAR (cancel for any reason) is an optional add-on benefit to your Explorer or Epic Plan that will give you an extra safety net on your vacation. You must purchase this during the time sensitive period, though. If you need to cancel your trip for any reason not covered by your existing plan, this benefit allows you to cancel and get back a portion of your prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses, whether that be a cruise, flights or a cultural excursion.
Tips for traveling to Thailand from the United States
Before you leave the United States, we encourage you to check out the US government’s safety warnings for Thailand to review their up-to-date warnings that may include advisories on weather or political situations.
If you purchase travel insurance for Thailand, it’s also a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your plan number in your phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.
You may have opportunities to see exotic animals such as elephants, tigers, and gibbons. You don’t want to contribute to the suffering of these majestic creatures so make sure to educate yourself on ethical wildlife encounters before you go. A few tips: never ride an elephant or take selfies with captive animals – doing so only harms their species.
Read up on what to know before you go to Thailand—and remember to have fun!
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are 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?
Contact the teamTravel insurance for China
Say Ni Hao to ancient cities, dancing dragons, and amazing landscapes - adventure awaits in China!
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- Do I need travel insurance for China
- Travel insurance for activities in China
- Travel insurance for medical emergencies in China
- Travel insurance for lost bags in China
- Travel insurance for cancelled, interrupted, or delayed trips to China
- China Travel tips
Whether you’re braving the crowds of Beijing or retracing the footsteps of nomads before you on the Silk Road, China is as diverse as you’d expect a country of 1.4 billion people to be - and offers a plethora of opportunities for Canadian visitors.
Foodies may want to taste their way through China on a search for the best xiaolongbao (also known as Chinese soup dumplings.) Partygoers may want to dance the night away in Shanghai, while history buffs may prefer to trade the skyscrapers for some of the ancient Chinese villages like Chengyang and Xitang.
Many Canadians also include the Great Wall of China as a part of their itinerary or decide to visit during the festive activities that happen during Chinese New Year.
Such uniqueness brings surprises – some are amazing, but others not so much.
For the not-so-awesome surprises like travel accidents and lost bags, you may want to consider travel insurance for China. We also encourage you to check out our team’s tips for the things you need to know before visiting China.
Do I need travel insurance for China?
You booked the flights to Shanghai and even pre-purchased tickets for Yu Garden. You’ve taken the steps to plan an awesome vacation, but there’s some things you just can’t plan for.
If you get hurt hiking through the bamboo forests at Monganshan National Park you may need to see a doctor. Or if a typhoon hits Shenzhen before your trip, it could make it impossible for you to travel there.
Canadian travellers may want to consider travel insurance for China that could help with things like trip cancellation, overseas medical coverage, and repatriation. There are different plans to select from, and when you get a quote you can compare the options to determine the best international travel insurance for your needs.
Travel insurance for activities in China
World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Canadians travelling to China- including things like surfing in Houhai Bay, rock climbing in Yangshuo and paragliding in Hangzhou.
When you get a quote for your travel insurance for China, you’ll need to list your planned activities. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time. If you are participating in an activity that isn’t listed in your policy wording, you can contact us to determine if you will be covered.
Travel insurance for medical emergencies in China
If you’re scuba diving the Great Wall of China (yes, that’s a thing!) and get decompression sickness, emergency medical coverage could reimburse you for your medical expenses. If your injury is serious, our medical team may also recommend that you return home to Canada for treatment. In that instance, repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for China could get you there.
Keep in mind that your Government Health Insurance Plan may only pay a small portion, if any, of your medical expenses in China. In most situations, medical providers will want their money upfront and you would submit for reimbursement afterwards.
If you have a medical emergency when travelling to China, you can call the 24/7 emergency assistance team and they can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. If your medical team only speaks Mandarin, our team can also help communicate with your doctors if there’s a language barrier.
Travel insurance for lost bags in China
What happens if your checked bag ends up in Hunan instead of Hainan? If you’re lucky, your bag just took a detour and will eventually make its way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If this happens, you could still be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.
It’s not something anyone wants to think about, but sometimes you’re left sitting at the carousel waiting for the bag that never comes. If you arrive in Shenzhen and realize that your bag is gone forever, the baggage coverage included in your travel insurance for China may reimburse you for the cost to replace your lost belongings.
When you get a quote, you can check the policy wording in your international travel insurance policy to get the specific details on depreciation and policy limits.
Travel insurance for pickpockets in China
With such a large population, it can be hard dealing with the crowds while travelling in China. Unfortunately, where there are crowds, there can also be pickpockets.
We’ve heard claims of theft happening at transportation stations and on trains. It’s also not uncommon to hear reports of pickpocketing around major attractions located in some of the larger cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian and Guiyang.
Before you leave Canada, make sure to review our tips for protecting yourself from petty crime in China. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid putting anything valuable in your back pockets. You may also want to carry handbags across your body, and even wear backpacks on your front.
If you’re robbed, make sure you file a police report. You’ll need that if you make a claim.
Travel insurance for cancelled, interrupted, or delayed trips to China
What happens if you get sick a few days before leaving for China? If your doctor tells you not to leave Canada at that time, you could be forced to cancel your trip. Your travel insurance plan for China includes cancellation coverage and could reimburse you for those non-refundable flights, hotels, and activities you paid for in advance.
Sometimes situations happen that can disrupt your plans once you’re already in China. If there’s an unexpected landslide and the Canadian Government issues a travel advisory against travel to that region of China, it could definitely prevent you from continuing on with your planned activities.
If you have travel insurance for China, and something unexpected happens that causes you to cancel, delay, or interrupt your trip, you may be able to recover your unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses.
China Travel Tips
Before you leave Canada, we encourage you to check out the Canadian government’s safety warnings for China to review their up-to-date warnings on any advisories. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list their up-to-date warnings on any advisories that may exist at that time.
Watch out for some of the scams in China- like counterfeit Chinese money. Try to carry smaller denominations or only pay with exact change to avoid getting fake money in return.
If you purchase travel insurance for China, it’s always a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your policy number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.
Try to learn how to speak a few Mandarin phrases before you go. In certain areas of China, you won’t find people that know how to speak English or French.
You may also want to download our China Travel Safety Guide.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are 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?
Contact the team
