Even if this guy had travel insurance it probably wouldn't have covered a motorbike crash. All travel insurance offers moped riding as an option but if you read the fine print it says you need a valid current license. What it doesn't make clear is do they mean a Thai license or if a car license is ok etc. What about an international driving permit? They leave themselves many excuses not to pay. Most also have a limit of how many cc's a bike can be.

Posted by Arun Muruga on July 8, 2015 23:03

$ 6000 a day?

Posted by Kurt on July 8, 2015 23:10

Can anyone explain the Insurance you get, when you have a motorbike?

I've always wondered why you have to get insurance from the Road Tax people, but what does it actually cover?

Posted by Tbs on July 8, 2015 23:24

"Paul was wearing a helmet but had no holiday insurance." Unbelievably sad, unbelievable risk to take but thousands do it! Do they leave all vestiges of common sense at home? Being wise before the event is better than being seriously injured (or worse) after it! Insurance should be made compulsory as part of the bike hire, whether by the hire company or the hirer but I doubt it ever will sadly.

Posted by Alan on July 8, 2015 23:29

I do not want to sound harsh but why oh why do people travel without insurance.

Posted by Arthur on July 9, 2015 00:56

Insurance. Bike must be smaller than 250cc. Rider must have current international drivers liscence. Rider must be wearing helmet. No pillion passenger.

Posted by shadowcat on July 9, 2015 06:27

@Tbs - it covers you for up to 15K Baht for medical expenses if in an accident, nothing for damage to bike or anyone else's vehicle, property. That info is a couple years old but I think still the same.

Posted by Stuart on July 9, 2015 07:29

most insurance covers want a valid international drivers licence , endorsed with a current motorbike stamp as well , NOT just car license , and in the fine print it states the cc of the bike must be 125cc max, so many people get caught with this, I've seen it happen so often . It hoaxed to me and i had it so was covered . But insurance companies want you to pay the Hospital and say they will reimburse when you return. DONT fall for this , they resist paying you out. Get them to pay the Hospital direct .

Posted by DEan on July 9, 2015 07:32

Insurance companies do vary. SCTI in Aust for instance have a limit of 200cc. They also require a helmet and valid licence for that country.
In my opinion if you can afford to travel you can afford insurance. I hop this guy gets the help he needs and gets home ok.

Posted by pete59 on July 9, 2015 08:36

Kurt,

the best TH hospitals have US prices, i.e. emergency room ca.5,000USD/hr, intensive care ca.3,000USD/hr, so it seems for 6,000USD/day is not that expensive, although it's not exactly intensive care,
In Germany it costs in a very good private hospital appr.100,000-150,000EUR per month while recovering from coma - if is just spending time there while in coma, the figure is from real life, not hypothetical one.

Posted by Sue on July 9, 2015 09:22

Only two licences are valid in Thailand for insurance purposes; a Thai licence and an International Permit that confirms the existance of the drivers current foreign licence. All foreign licences carried by tourists in Thailand are not worth the paper they're printed on.

Posted by seht1912 on July 9, 2015 09:56

"What it doesn't make clear is do they mean a Thai license or if a car license is ok etc."
In Thailand a motorbike license is required, so a car license is not 'a valid license' here.

"in the fine print it states the cc of the bike must be 125cc max,"
This may be the case with some, but 'most' is not correct.

Posted by stevenl on July 9, 2015 10:01

I live here and I checked with my medical insurance (Bupa Global around USD500 per month) they do cover me license or not for any medical expenses if involved in any accident including a motorbike. In addition to lower quality roads here in Phuket than most developed countries, the lower standard of driving, the drunk drivers at night, the effect of extreme heat if you are not coming from 32C and humidity, coupled with the fact Thailand is one of the highest deaths per capita in the world insurance is essential not just for an accident but for general medical issues. I hope Paul recovers I write this article as we see quite a few situations like this for future visitors insurance should be taken out and the terms checked for your activities. Hopefully there will be less uninsured drivers in the future.

Posted by Phuket Man. on July 9, 2015 12:10

It's a real mine field this insurance caper. They let you ride here with no license, or a car license, but your riding around with no insurance, unless you have a valid bike license which a lot of people don't have as they don't ride at home. With the woeful public transport on Phuket a bike is often the only option if you want to get around. I'd happily pay a bit more for my ticket or visa if it included full insurance. I hope this kid is ok.

In Nakhon Si you can go anywhere in the greater city area by songthaew for 10 baht. You can go by mini bus to Khanom for 80 baht which takes 1 hour. Compare that to Patong with those bandit tuk tuks wanting 200 baht for a 500 metre trip. Last time I was in Patong I saw a tuk tuk driver clip a family 500 baht to go from Bangla to Graceland!!

Posted by Arun Muruga on July 9, 2015 13:29

@ Stuart I was told the "tax" for bikes the 15,000B max payout is for medical expenses for the person or people you hit not yourself. The insurance is needed to tax the bike I did mine this month, but the question are people covered if they do not have a license like many that drive here. I had a lady slam into me on a motorbike and she was taken away in an ambulance and the Police impounded both bikes. A few days later they called and we met at the Police station and she agreed to pay. Next thing her mobile no was dead never to come back on. Dishonest rubbish is what she is. I toughen up all the time here, get anyone to pay there and then (Thai or foreign they both think they can get away with not paying for different reasons) if possible - I was trying to be fair and get a quote so the price was correct. Many times in Thailand I tried to be fair and kind and every time it costs me money so now I am as hard as nails especially with Thais. No lending money etc. Not racist just my experience over the last 8 years.

Posted by Phuket Man. on July 9, 2015 17:22

$6k a day hospital costs or ransom ?

Posted by mike on July 10, 2015 22:30

Before my last trip to Thailand i rung my insurance company and they said they cover me if i followed all the Thai laws which after checking i was told to legally ride a scooter in thailand you must.
1) Have a valid motorcycle licence at home.
2) Have an International drivers permit.
3) Follow all thai road rules.
Even though it seems there aren't any looking at the people leaving Bars drunk and hoping on scooters but after researching there a lot the same as Australia.

Posted by Damien on July 19, 2015 10:16