What type of car insurance do I need?
The best car insurance for you is an affordable car insurance with the coverage you need. The cheapest option is not always the best car insurance for you.
Car insurance in Thailand can be classified into voluntary and compulsory insurance, which we often call Por Ror Bor.
You will need at least the Por Ror Bor. It's mandatory, and you can't legally drive without it. You will also need compulsory car insurance to extend your road tax sticker with the Department of Land Transport.
What are the different types of car insurance in Thailand?
It is legally required for all vehicles in Thailand.
What is voluntary car insurance in Thailand?
Voluntary car insurance in Thailand offers additional coverage beyond mandatory compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor). This optional vehicle insurance provides high sum insured protection for various scenarios, including:
- Damage to the insured vehicle (at fault or not)
- Third-party vehicle damage (when at fault)
- Injury liability from accidents
- Theft, fire, or natural disaster protection
- Bail Bond
What are the different types of car insurance I can buy in Thailand?
CheckDi offers five main types of Thailand Car Insurance:
Most Comprehensive car insurance in Thailand.
This coverage covers all collision damage and damages you cause to others. It also covers fire, theft, flood, and other natural perils.
What's usually covered
All policies differ, but, in general, a Type 1 car insurance policy will include coverage and compensation for:
- Damages from vehicle-to-vehicle collision
- Damages from other collision accidents, such as falling trees, rocks, property
- Fire and Theft
- Flooding
- liability damage caused
- Driver/passenger accident cover
- Bail Bonds
What's usually not covered
Your policy will also list exclusions for which you won't be covered. Some typical exclusions are:
- Negligence
- Wear and tear
- Invalid driving license
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drugs
Third-party, fire and theft plus vehicle-to-vehicle damage repairs
This coverage covers damages you cause to others, protection for your vehicle in case of collisions with other vehicles, and coverage for fire and theft.
What's usually covered
All policies differ, but, in general, a Type 2+ car insurance policy will include coverage and compensation for:
- Damages from vehicle-to-vehicle collision
- Fire and Theft
- liability damage caused
- Driver/passenger accident cover
- Bail Bonds
What's usually not covered
Your policy will also list exclusions for which you won't be covered. Some typical exclusions are:
- Damages from other collision accidents, such as falling trees, rocks, property
- Wear and tear
- Invalid driving license
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drugs
Third-party only, plus vehicle-to-vehicle damage repairs
This type of policy offers a balance between protection and affordability. It covers damages you cause to others and provides limited coverage for your vehicle in case of collisions.
What's usually covered
All policies differ, but, in general, a Type 3+ car insurance policy will include coverage and compensation for:
- Damages from vehicle-to-vehicle collision
- liability damage caused
- Driver/passenger accident cover
- Bail Bonds
What's usually not covered
Your policy will also list exclusions for which you won't be covered. Some typical exclusions are:
- Damages from other collision accidents, such as falling trees, rocks, property
- Fire and Theft
Third-party only
This basic coverage focuses on protecting others from damages you might cause. It's a more affordable option, but it does not offer protection for your own vehicle.
What's usually covered
All policies differ, but, in general, a Type 3 car insurance policy will include coverage and compensation for:
- Liability damage caused
- Driver/passenger accident cover
- Bail Bonds
What's usually not covered
Your policy will also list exclusions for which you won't be covered. Some typical exclusions are:
- Damages from vehicle-to-vehicle collision
- Damages from other collision accidents, such as falling trees, rocks, property
- Fire and Theft
Compulsory Car insurance is mandatory. It's the minimum legal requirement for all vehicles in Thailand. It provides essential protection for injuries to others and not for any vehicle damage.
What does compulsory insurances covered
Por Ror Bor car insurance will provide coverage in 2 main parts.
The first part will provide cover everyone involved in the accident with the following coverage:
- Medical Expenses for injury up to 30,000 Baht per person
- Compensation for loss of vital organ and permanent disability is up to 35,000 Baht per person
- Compensation for Death up to 35,000 Baht per person
The second part of the coverage is only for when you are not at fault for the accident:
- Medical Expenses up to 80,000 Baht per person
- Compensation for Death up to 500,000 Baht per person
- Compensation for loss of 2 vital organs up to 500,000 Baht/1 vital organs up to 250,000 Baht/finger or more up to 200,000 Baht
- Daily compensation for inpatient or emergency rooms is 200 baht per day up to the 20-day limit of 4,000 baht per year.
How much does Car insurance in Thailand Cost
The cost of your car insurance in Thailand is calculated from statistics depending on the type of car you are getting your car insurance for. Insurance companies can define cars into different Car Groups depending on their repair cost and their driver's segments to further differentiate their premiums for each car insurance.
To keep it simple we have accumulated a list of premiums you can expect to pay for each type of car insurance available in Thailand.
Type 1 Car insurance
- Expected Premium: 10,000 ++ (depending on Car Group)
- Starting at 5,000 with limit to mileage
Type 2+ Car Insurance
- Expected Premium: 6,000 ++
- Starting at 5,500
Type 3 + Car Insurance
- Expected Premium: 5,000 ++
- Starting at 4,500
Type 3 Car insurance
- Expected Premium: 2,500 ++
- Starting at 1,950
How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in Thailand
There are several ways to lower your car insurance premium without compromising on essential coverage:
- Choose a higher excess/deductible
- Consider garage repair plans instead of dealership repairs
- Limit your annual mileage
- Name only primary drivers on your policy
- Maintain a clean driving record
These are just a few strategies to help you save. For a comprehensive guide on lowering your car insurance premium, including advanced tips and detailed explanations, check out our complete guide to lowering car insurance premiums in Thailand.
Special Coverage and Additional Extras
To get the most out of your type 1 car insurance there are multiple additional coverage that some selected plan or provide might also give you.
24/7 Roadside Assistance cover
Things like Towing services, Battery jump-starts, Flat tire changes, Fuel delivery, and Lockout services can be included as well.
*Note that all Type 1 policies already have towing service coverage in case of accidents as basic coverage. The 24/7 Roadside Assistance cover is to give you coverage on other occasions.
Accidental Cover for damages to tires, battery, lubricant & coolant
Most insurance companies will not provide coverage for your car, which is prone to wear and tear at 100%, even when an accident happens. Some do so and look out for such plans.
Replacement Car Cover
If your car is out of action following a car accident, while most companies will provide compensation for your transportation, some even cover the cost of a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired.
Theft Cover for belongings
As Car insurance is an insurance to provide coverage for you and the driver, some plans extend there coverage to your belongings in your car as well.
Charging Equipment Cover
Specifically for EV and hybrids some plans will extend their coverage to also include your Charging Equipment. This could be things like the charging cable, electric vehicle charger at home and even third party liability from electric vehicle charging accidents in some cases.
Can I buy EV car insurance at CheckDi
Yes, you can buy electric vehicle (EV) insurance at CheckDi. In fact, CheckDi specializes in EV motor insurance, recognizing the unique needs of electric vehicle owners.
EV motor insurance can differ from traditional car insurance in several ways. The coverage often includes specific protections for EV components such as the battery pack, charging equipment, and electrical systems. These parts are typically more expensive to repair or replace than those in conventional vehicles.
Another key difference lies in the named drivers section. EV policies may offer less flexibility in adding drivers, considering that electric vehicles are often shared within households due to their eco-friendly nature and potentially lower running costs, but increasing the risk factor, EV policies are required to name only up to 5 drivers under their policy.
For more details on CheckDi's EV insurance offerings, visit EV Car Insurance.
Which car insurance company is the best?
When you're shopping for car insurance, it's smart to hunt for the best coverage you can get at a price that won't break the bank. Don't worry - all the insurance companies we list on our website are hand-picked and have proven themselves trustworthy over the years we've worked with them.
Now, here's a little insider tip: sometimes the bigger insurance providers can be a bit more generous when it comes to claims. They might have more wiggle room to work with.
So, to help you out, we've put together a list of the Top 5 car insurance companies in Thailand. These are the cream of the crop when it comes to any car insurance coverage.
- Viriyah Insurance Public Company Limited
- Tokio Marine Safety Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited
- Bangkok Insurance Public Company Limited
- Thanachart Insurance Public Company Limited
- Muang Thai Insurance Public Company Limited
Learn more about each company and many others in our car insurance company guilds here.