What insurance do you need to drive to Thailand

Some visitor are confuse with the insurance needed in order to drive to Thailand, the information is available in the FAQ section as well.

There are 2 insurance here. The first one is the Insurance that you purchase at the border. That  insurance cover 3rd party in Thailand but not your own vehicle. The insurance cost about RM15 for about a week coverage. This is compulsory.

In order to cover your own vehicle, you need to purchase from your local insurance company to cover your stay at Thailand.

However, this is optional if you do not think it is necessary.

You can purchase an extension from your existing insurance company. That means if you car is currently insured under MSIG, then you can only buy the extension from MSIG, not from any other insurance company.

For Kurnia Insurance, the insurance premium is 20% of the 1st party insurance that you pay in Malaysia for 30 days coverage. For example, if your car 1st party premium is RM1,000.00, then you need to pay additional RM200.oo for 30days coverage in Thailand. You need to inform the insurance company before you go and when you return. Multiple entry is permitted.

For MSIG insurance, coverage for less then a week is 20% of your existing premium x 1/8. Less then 1 month is 20% of your existing premium x 1/4.  That means if your premium is RM1,000.00, the coverage for less then 1 week is RM25.00, less then 1 month is RMRM50.00

Please find the following addition policy that you will get for the coverage extension.

Some may ask if i purchase the extension 1st party insurance from my local insurance to cover in Thailand, do i still need to purchase the insurance in the border to cover 3rd party in Thailand?

I am not able to verify due to language barrier with Thai Authority.

The different is the one that you extending insurance coverage is a Malaysia company, the insurance that you purchase at the border is a Thai Insurance company. The best person to answer your question is the insurance office in Malaysia.

Of course our common understanding is that 1st party insurance cover 3rd party as well, why need to double insured. But what I can imagine is should something happen and if you are covered under a Thai Insurance Company, they will take care of everything since the insurance policy is made in Thailand or simply say they speak the same language.

If you cover under a Malaysia insurance, you may ( just my guess ) have more claim procedure and hassle. ( For the 3rd Party ) since dealing with foreign company – their legal department may have a long battle and we customers are the one who suffer.

BUT since it merely cost less then RM20, I will just pay and have it insured 3rd party under Thai Insurance Company to avoid any problem if it happen.

Just my personal opinion. Please call your insurance company to find out more.