Annual Multi Trip insurance from the UK
I just got an email from a travel insurance company. I don't need to renew yet but might as well get a quote and save it as there are so many exclusions now. Soon gave up as I saw some thing that I have never seen before.
It said:
Worldwide
Including: USA, Canada, Bermuda & Caribbean, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Mexico
or
Worldwide (Excluding)
Excluding: USA, Canada, Bermuda & Caribbean, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Mexico
Now I have only ever seem WW incl US and Canada and WW excl US and Canada.
A bit alarmed that Thailand, Singapore China, HK (Isn't HK China now) are being lumped in with the US. I hope this isn't the start of a trend.
Has anybody else seen this?
That is very alarming.
I noticed that a few years ago they included all of Caribbean in top rate, presumably because you could get taken to US in a severe case.
....but Thailand???
Some policies do have a higher premium for Thailand., yes l have seen this on quotes.
I looked at this again and it wasn't from an insurance company but a comparison web site. I went to get a quote annual multitrip aged over 65. WW incl US and Thailand £153.25 to £1536.37 and WW excl US and Thailand £139.33 to 1536.37. Funny that the highest quote for incl and excl US and Thailand were the same. Not sure I believe those lower quotes. I do usually go for 63 or 93 day maximum stay that are a bit more expensive. Yes usually I think Mexico and Carabbean are lumped in with the US. But why Thailand is lumped in with the US is very odd.
Did you put Thailand in places you want to go in your search?
Maybe that's why it was highlighted.
Thailand is regarded as high risk.
Australia has ranked it as the most dangerous country, for a number of years, for its citizens travelling abroad.
Quite popular with young people.
Road accident rate is high.
#4 No I didn't specify Thailand. There were four options. Didn't really pay attention to the first UK I assume second Europe, third WW excl US Canada Mexico Caribbean Singapore China HK Thailand may be one of two more that I have forgotton Fourth the whole World.
Thinking about what you said it may have been a targeted email based on data that I travel to Thailand.
#5 Thailand is high risk but not a single African county or Middle Eastern country is exempted. Thailand can't be that high a risk can it? Why then is Canada in the high risk category.
probbly down to the shear numbers of people and the resulting high number of claims coupled to the high cost of medical care.
It's worth looking at the amount of time you are allowed on each trip - some companies only allow 30 days per trip, which is a problem with Thailand's 60 day visa free and multiple re-entires
Thailand has one of the highest death rates on the roads. Quite a few people drown. Relatively high hospital admissions. People drink stuff they don't know what it is. Have you been to a full moon party?
There are a lot of young tourists going to Thailand and doing wild things.
Totally different from tourists go to Africa or Middle East.
Insurers will go by their claims experience.
It is not just the risks but the costs.
Lots of accidents, hospital, etc, but out of a massive cohort. The vast majority of tourists to Thailand have no problems and make no claims. Same could be said of many Mediterranean countries.
If Thailand is added to the high risk list then insurance for the over 70 longer stay tourists will be prohibitively expensive.
I'll see when I renew.
