Neil Aronson I’m sure everyone has thought to themselves when planning a trip if they need to get any type of Travel Insurance. Who wants more costs when traveling? Or you might be concerned about medical issues from a major accident to getting an ear infection.
You could encounter trip cancelations and airline delays, which happen for may reasons these days. Watching the news it seems something from wars to storms, Covid-19, are causing flight interruptions and cancelations. Or you could get robbed, or worse.
I could fall into this river!
Or… You can watch this fun video of me on YouTube, making a video while on the back of my friends scoter, at night, through Chiang Mai. Easy to injure yourself doing this!
Sorry for being grim but it happens. Oh yah, also in Thailand many tourist are caught looking the wrong way when crossing the street (like me my first trip). You may get smacked in the side of the head from a Tuk Tuk.
August 2rd, 2024, Tourist dies at Chiang Mai zipline site. © Bangkok Post PCL.
Just walking the sidewalks for Chiang Mai are hazardous, especially after a few beers. There are holes, street work, and all kinds of hazards like this.
Don’t let discouraging news or thoughts detract you from traveling and experiencing something adventurous. Just be prepared, which includes purchasing travel insurance.
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially near national parks. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a waterfall tour to scuba diving, jungle trekking to cooking classes. Do the Chiang Mai Golf Challenge from Viator.
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
Travel Inhibitions
Most people don’t get travel insurance because they feel like not spending the few extra bucks on it, and would rather take a chance.
We also tend to to things we don’t normal do at home. Running around the streets, driving places you have never driven before. And mostly, doing outdoor activities like windsurfing, skiing, zip line, and many more fun things. However these can easy lead to even small medical issues that will ruin your trip.
Here is another video on YouTube, I took of a tourist almost getting his head burned off during the lantern festival. If could happen.
I was down in Cabo San Lucas Mexico one trip with a friend out late at the bars. (We were young, I’m married now). In a moment of drunk stupidity, he managed to break his hand.
The emergency room cost hundreds of dollars just to be told it was broken. So after getting a few laughs from the hospital staff, we had to drive 20 hours back to California to get medical assistance through home insurance. Of course we had no travel insurance and hardly any money. Lesson learned, trip ruined.
Just look at these dumb tourists playing with fire! Lot’s of fun by the way.
Do Your Research
These days travel insurance is much more affordable and easy to get on the go. You can even get covered after you are already there. Companies are also catering to specific types of travelers, time frames, locations. The end result is that travel insurance is not that expensive, convenient to get, and most importantly gives you piece of mind.
Check your credit card company. Some travel cards offer limited trip coverage. We usually use our CapitalOne Venture card. They also offer free limited travel insurance when you use their card to purchase your trip. Check your banks. I’m not affiliated with CapitalOne Venture Card, I just use it.
Our Top Travel Insurance Choices
Safety Wing
Safety Wing is our top choice when it come to International Travel Insurance. They offer what they call Nomad Insurance, or Travel Medical Insurance for Nomads. They have progressive flexible coverage.
It works like a subscription and they offer multiple services for different sort of nomads, travelers and remote workers. So it’s not only great for your regular trips, but for digital nomads such as travel bloggers working overseas for long periods of time.
Highlights of SafetyWing:
- Available for purchase in 180 countries and can be purchased while already traveling.
- Affordable! They are competitive in each category. For example, Travel medical coverage starts from $45.08/4 weeks. This is 1/3rd of the price of the biggest competitor for similar coverage. That’s only $1.61 per day.
- Policies Include:
- Travel medical — Access a qualified global network of hospitals and doctors for unexpected medical problems and accidents. Includes coverage for: Doctors, Hospitals, Emergency medical evacuation.
- Travel — Includes coverage for: Travel delay, Lost checked luggage, Emergency response & natural disasters, Personal liability.
They can provide adventure sports coverage. This includes medical expenses resulting from injuries sustained during activities such as hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and scuba diving. As well as search and rescue expenses in case of emergencies.
Some activities like high altitude hiking or deep diving may require additional coverage. So make sure you review the policy’s terms and conditions before engaging in any high-risk activities
Click ad below for a healthy peace of mind.
AXA Travel Insurance
We have used AXA Travel Insurance on a few trips to Thailand during Covid-19, and were happy with the process. So has to be one of our top recommended companies to purchase travel insurance. Their coverage is excellent, and it is a very reputable company. They have easy to understand policies with solid coverage. We have provided a fact sheet you can download.
What is included in your coverage with AXA Travel Insurance:
- Trip Protection includes Trip Cancelation, Trip Interruptions, Missed Connections, Trip Delay.
- Emergency Travel Protection includes Emergency Medical Evacuations, Repatriation of Remains, Emergency Evacuation due to Catastrophe, Security or Political Evacuation.
- Accident and Health Protection includes Medical Expenses and Accidental Death.
- Baggage Protection for damage, loss, theft, delay of luggage.
- Additional Options Available.
SquareMouth
With SquareMouth you can choose from over 30 respected companies. Each has different specialties and options so please read up on each of your options.
Travel Insurance Benefit Types:
- Cancellation: The cancellation benefits of travel insurance can reimburse travelers for their unused trip expenses if they need to cancel their trip altogether, or return home early, for a covered reason
- Medical & Evacuation: Travel medical insurance benefits can cover travelers for the cost of treating an illness or injury that occurs during their trip
- Delay: Travel delay benefits are designed to protect travelers from a financial loss in the event their trip is delayed or they miss their connection
- Luggage: Travel insurance can provide benefits for travelers to purchase essentials while their luggage is delayed, and can refund the cost of lost or damage items
- Accidental Death: Travel insurance policies can provide a lump sum payment in the event a traveler dies or loses a limb during their trip
- Sports: Some trip insurance policies can include benefits that extend to adventurous travelers who are participating in activities that may otherwise be excluded from coverage
- Additional Benefits: Most policies are comprehensive, and offer a variety of additional benefits
Whatever your decision, give yourself piece of mind by getting insurance for a few bucks per day, and stop thinking about potential issues.
Thanks and enjoy your trip!
