I used to think travel insurance was a “maybe.” Thailand changed my mind. I got sick in Chiang Mai, slid a scooter in Pai, and lost a bag in Phuket. Not all in one day, thankfully. But close enough that I kept every receipt in a Ziploc bag. You know what? I’m glad I did (I later pulled together a more data-packed version of this story in this deep-dive).
What I bought (and why)
For my first 3-week trip, I bought the World Nomads Standard Plan. I picked it because it covered medical, trip delay, and some adventure stuff. World Nomads also has a handy plan comparison chart that made the differences crystal clear to me.
I had first compared a handful of options on ValidTravel, whose side-by-side charts sliced through the fine print and helped me pick the right policy with way less guesswork.
On a later trip to Phuket and Koh Phi Phi, I used Allianz for a single trip—specifically their AllTrips Basic policy. I also tested SafetyWing for a month-long stay around Koh Tao. That one felt simple and cheap, but claims took longer for me.
Small note: all three worked. None were perfect.
Real things that happened to me (and what got paid)
1) Food poisoning in Chiang Mai
Day three. Pad Thai at a night market, then a clinic visit at 2 a.m. I was shaky, sweaty, and kind of embarrassed. The nurse was kind. The tile floor felt cold under my feet. Total bill: 2,800 THB, plus meds.
- Paid upfront with my card
- Kept the receipt, doctor notes, and my passport photos
- Filed the claim online with World Nomads
- Reimbursed in 9 days to my bank (minus a tiny currency fee from my bank)
It wasn’t hard. I just answered calls fast and uploaded clear photos.
2) The scooter slide in Pai (the “uh-oh” one)
I rented a 125cc scooter. Light rain. Sharp turn. I slid. My knee met gravel. Selfie with a sad face? Sure. But here’s the key: I did not have a Thai motorbike license. Big mistake.
- Clinic visit: about 3,200 THB for cleaning and bandages
- Claim was denied under the motorbike rule
- They told me I needed a valid license for coverage on motorbikes
- I paid the whole thing myself
Lesson: if you plan to ride, get the proper license and wear a helmet. The rule isn’t a joke.
3) Lost bag for 36 hours in Phuket
AirAsia misplaced my bag. I had flip-flops, a hoodie, and hope. That was it. Allianz covered “baggage delay” after 24 hours.
- I filed a PIR at the airport (that little form at the luggage desk)
- Bought a cheap shirt, shorts, and toiletries (kept all receipts)
- They paid me $150 for the delay allowance
- Money came in about two weeks
It didn’t make me love airports, but it helped.
4) Ear infection after snorkeling on Koh Tao
This was during my SafetyWing month. My ear felt like a seashell stuffed with bees. I used their telehealth first. Then I went to a clinic.
- Clinic + meds: around 450 THB
- Submitted photos of the receipt and a short doctor note
- Reimbursed, but it took about 3 weeks
- Not fast, but it did land
5) Storm delay on Koh Phi Phi
A monsoon squall shut down the ferry. I could hear the wind shake the shutters. Allianz covered a “trip delay.” I stayed two extra nights near Tonsai Pier.
- Kept the ferry notice and hotel receipts
- Covered up to $200 per night for lodging and meals
- Reimbursed after I sent proof of the weather and the canceled ferry
I ate mango sticky rice and watched the rain. It felt cozy, which surprised me. Those unexpected hotel days also gave me time to experiment with a few little room tweaks—like turning a mug into a phone speaker—that I later cataloged in this hotel-hack roundup.
The stuff no one tells you
- Many clinics in Thailand want you to pay first. Big hospitals sometimes do direct billing. Bumrungrad in Bangkok often does this with certain insurers like AXA. Ask at the desk. They’ll tell you straight.
- “Excess” is just another word for deductible. It’s the part you pay before insurance kicks in.
- Pre-existing conditions? Usually not covered. I tried to get an inhaler refill covered. No luck.
- Alcohol and accidents don’t mix with claims. They can deny it if you were drinking.
- Keep copies of your passport, boarding passes, and policy number. I stored mine in my phone and in that Ziploc bag.
What I liked
- World Nomads had a clean portal. Clear steps. Claim paid fast.
- Allianz had a good phone line. A human picked up. That helped when I was stuck.
- SafetyWing’s telehealth was handy. I talked to someone without leaving my guesthouse.
- Medical evacuation limits on the plans were high. I didn’t need it (thank goodness), but it gave me peace. Boat-to-helipad kind of peace.
What annoyed me
- Small print. The scooter rule got me. I knew it, but I thought, “I’ll be careful.” That’s not how this works.
- Scanning every receipt felt silly, but it matters. Blurry photo = slow claim.
- Currency stuff. My bank took a small fee when my claim money hit. Not huge, just annoying.
- Gear limits are not huge. My GoPro was only partly covered on one plan. Read that bit if you carry cameras.
My quick tips if you’re going to Thailand
- Buy your policy before you fly.
- Screenshot your policy card and the 24/7 number.
- Ask the hospital about “direct billing” right away.
- Keep every receipt, even small ones.
- If your bag is lost, get a PIR at the airport.
- Ride a scooter only if you have the right license. Helmet on. Always.
- Call the insurer early. Start the paper trail.
- Need a mental reset mid-trip? A short prayer for safe travel can calm the nerves when receipts and delays pile up.
- Thinking of using personal-ad sites to find a travel buddy or a casual date while you’re in country? Check out this traveler-focused rundown of Doublelist Doublelist cheat-sheet so you can spot red flags, stay safe, and decide if meeting up through classifieds is right for you.
- Passing through Western New York on a mileage run or visiting friends before hopping across the Pacific? For a U.S.-based example of how vetting and safety protocols look on escort-style classifieds, skim this AdultLook Buffalo walk-through which breaks down screening steps, pricing norms, and common red flags to keep you informed wherever you log in.
The bottom line from me
Travel insurance felt like a seatbelt. Most days, you don’t think about it. Then the road gets slick.
Thailand is a joy. Street food, tuk-tuks, late sunsets over Koh Lanta. But stuff happens. I had two clean reimbursements, one slow one, and one denial I earned by being careless on a scooter. Would I travel there without insurance now? No way.
Pick a plan that covers what you’ll actually do. If you’ll snorkel or scuba, add that. If you ride scooters, get your license sorted. Keep your docs tidy. Then relax. Eat the mango sticky rice. Watch the longtail boats. And let the insurance sit quietly in your pocket, doing its job.
— Kayla Sox