Travel Insurance when visiting Thailand
Turquoise waters, vibrant culture, lush jungles and Tuk Tuks
- As featured in:
As featured in:
With its beautiful beaches, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage, it’s easy to see why New Zealanders want to visit Thailand. However, unexpected issues can arise during any trip.
Here’s why you should consider travel insurance for your Thailand adventure.
- What’s covered in Thailand
- Why should I consider travel insurance for Thailand?
- What to look out for when travelling around Thailand
- What’s not covered
- FAQs for travel to Thailand
What’s covered in Thailand
Our policies can offer cover (up to policy limits) for benefits including:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- More than 150 activities, sports, and experiences
- Trip cancellation and delay
- Baggage and personal belongings
- Cover for families
- Cover for extended stays and if you’re working
For over 20 years, World Nomads has helped adventurous travellers like you with travel insurance tailored for your journey. With our policies, you can enjoy emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, trip cancellation benefits, baggage protection, cover for over 150 sports and activities, and many more benefits.
World Nomads offers two plans – Standard and Explorer. Each offers different levels of coverage and benefits. It is up to you to choose what plan has the right level of coverage to meet your travel needs.
Why should I consider travel insurance for Thailand?
With affordable accommodation, delicious food and adventures from scuba diving in Phuket to hiking Khao Luang - Thailand is a traveller’s dream. Our policies may cover you if your passport is stolen whilst browsing the Pattaya floating market or if your trip is cancelled due to extreme weather.
Our policies also offer cover for families looking for a relaxing break and digital nomads remote working in Chiang Mai.
What to look out for when travelling around Thailand
Beware of theft and pickpockets
While Thailand is a relatively safe place to travel, pickpockets are active in tourist areas. World Nomads travel insurance plans have some coverage if your bags and valuables are stolen or damaged.
Traveller tip 1: Make copies of all key documents such as passport, ID, travel insurance, receipts, vouchers and transportation tickets so you’ll have proof of purchase for any claims.
Keep an eye on your gear 24/7
It’s very important that you NEVER let your valuables out of sight. Exercise caution in crowded areas and on public transport.
Traveller tip 2: if you’re a victim of theft, get a Property Irregularity Report or other incident report so you can submit it with your claim, as well as a police report.
Surviving traveller's diarrhea
If you eat something that doesn’t agree with you and need medical assistance our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team is here to help. The multi-lingual team can help you find a doctor or a, 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.
Stay healthy and avoid gastro with these tips:
- Always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
- 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
Our policies may cover you (up to policy limits) if you ride a motorbike or scooter in Thailand for:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Evacuation to suitable medical facility if required
- Repatriation if you’re seriously ill or injured
To be covered for motorbike, scooter or moped use you must:
- select the activity when you purchase your policy. Activities cannot be added after policy purchase.
- have a valid driver’s license for the same class of vehicle in New Zealand, and as required in Thailand.
- comply with local laws and safety practices (wear a helmet, obey speed limits, and don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs).
What do I do if I’m sick or injured and need assistance?
If you need emergency medical help, contact the 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible. They will contact suitable assistance and arrange medical care.
If you have general questions about your policy, you can contact us.
What’s not covered
There are some things we can’t cover, including, but not limited to:
- Participation in any activities where you don’t purchase the appropriate level upgrade, or where it is specifically excluded
- Existing medical conditions
- Traveling to, planning to travel to, or choosing to remain in a country or region that is subject to a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning issued by the New Zealand Government (see SafeTravel)
- Unsupervised baggage or personal items
- Being intoxicated by alcohol or drugs or acting illegally.
Always check the terms, conditions limits and exclusions of your policy. If you’re not sure about something or have any questions, contact us.
Are you looking for more travel inspiration for Thailand?
World Nomads has various articles that cover a range of fun topics on Bali, such as:
- Planning a Trip to Thailand: What to Know Before You Go
- Bangkok, Thailand: Insider Tips for Planning Your Trip
- 5 Ways to Get Off the Beaten Path in Thailand
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 Document 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.
FAQs for travel to Thailand
Here are our most frequently asked questions about Thailand and travel insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask our customer service team.
-
Do I need a Visa for Thailand?
From 2025 travellers from 93 visa-exempt countries including New Zealand will have to apply for a mandatory electronic travel authorisation (ETA) permit. A pilot phase is due to begin in December 2024, with a full roll-out by June 2025.
Travellers will need to apply for the free ETA online before arriving for tourist visits up to 60 days.
For more information visit the Thailand e-visa website.
-
I’m in Thailand right now – can I buy, change or upgrade my policy?
You can purchase a World Nomads policy online while you’re travelling, although a 72-hour waiting period may apply. You can also make some changes to your existing policy online via your World Nomads membership, or by contacting us. You can also extend your policy if you want to keep travelling. Be aware there are some policy changes you can’t make.
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 in a flash
- 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
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?
From New Zealand & Overseas:
+61 2 8263 0470 or
+61 2 8292 1470
(reverse charges via an operator from anywhere in the world)
Within Australia (Free call): 1800 611 210
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.