If you are planning a long-term stay in the Kingdom of Thailand and are also looking to drive, this article was written with you in mind. As in all countries, Thailand has road laws and regulations that all road users must obey, so make sure that your IDP is valid and apply for a Thai driving licence if you plan on staying any length of time. Your vehicle needs insurance, of course, and here is a list of typical vehicle insurance types in Thailand.
- Class 1 Car Insurance – Known in Thai as, ประกนัภยัชนั้ 1, Class 1 is fully comprehensive and this is the recommended package for any foreigner. It is often the case where a foreigner’s car is damaged by a street vendor’s cart, who has no licence or insurance, so Class 1 insurance is strongly advised. Finding comprehensive auto insurance in Thailand is easy with online solutions and in a few minutes, you have comprehensive cover.
- Class 2 Car Insurance – ประกันชั้น2 in Thai. This would be in many ways similar to Class 1, although with a Class 2 insurance, in the event you are at fault, the policy would not cover damage to your vehicle. The standard procedure in the event of a car accident in Thailand is to phone the emergency number of the windscreen sticker and they will send a representative to your location. This person would take images and statements and an agreement would be made and the vehicles booked in for repair.
- Third Party Fire & Theft – Similar to your country, it is possible to take out insurance that only covers damage to a third-party vehicle, with fire and theft included. This is not recommended, rather search online for auto insurance in Thailand and arrange everything online.
Por Or Bor
This is a health insurance that is combined with the vehicle road tax and this covers personal injury to you and others. You should take note that if your road tax disc expires, so does your insurance, plus you should also take out Class 1 insurance from the online broker. The por or bor is compulsory and if your vehicle had road tax, you have personal insurance. Learn about health insurance prices (ประกันสุขภาพ ราคา) in Thailand, among other things, before signing up for one.
The Bigger Vehicle is at Fault
This has always been the way it is in Thailand, yet CCTV and dash cams have challenged this and if the footage shows you are not at fault, you will not be held liable. When you have an accident with a local, there will likely be a language barrier and if you have class 1 insurance, you do not need to worry. If the police are called to mediate, this is what they will do and you might need an interpreter and usually, the matter is closed there and then.
Of course, when driving in Thailand, you must be extremely alert and observant. Always carry your documents and vehicle insurance papers. If you are stopped at a checkpoint, the police would only want to see your ID.
