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Can I switch health insurance while on an LTR visa in Thailand, and what are the implications?

LTR visa health insurance Thailand visa rules insurance cancellation insurance refund immigration matters

Jul 11, 2025

a month ago

James *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

About switching a health insurance while being on a visa that requires a health insurance at least for the initial  qualification and issuance stages. More specifically LTR visa. My existing insurance has a huge deductible, I will never benefit from it, it helped me qualify for the LTR. I like to get a much better insurance. I am curious if Thai insurance firms make a refund in case of an early termination. Do they have to notify any government entity in case of cancellation. Did anyone cancel their healthy insurance after getting the visa ?  There is no mechanism or enforcement in place to monitor  insurance coverage of a LTR holder once they get their visa. They just have to get a coverage during the second 5 yr qualification stage.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion covers concerns about switching health insurance after obtaining a Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa in Thailand. The original insurance helped qualify for the LTR but has a high deductible. Key points include the lack of enforcement on insurance checks post-visa approval, potential for refunds upon cancellation of insurance policies, and advice on alternative insurance options for flexibility.

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Marty *********

No one has reached five years yet. They may look at all the first 5 years to check that you met the requirements.

a month ago

James *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Marty ********

that is a good point

a month ago

Reply to

James *******

Shane ********

You can compare health insurance options in Thailand here

*****************************************

comparison site from

@Insurance **************

a month ago

Francois ********

Look into

LMG Thai health insurance

a month ago

Todd *********

For LTR it seemed more prudent to simply show $100k in a bank and allow yourself the flexibility to choose whatever insurance you wish

a month ago

James *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Todd ********

most of us had well over $100k but in a brokerage account, BOI did not accept it even if it was $1M in cash

a month ago

Todd *********

@James ******

I’m sure pretty much everyone who qualifies has $100k lying around somewhere.

Mine was brokerage account. No issues with acceptance

a month ago

James *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Todd ********

I had tons of uninvested cash in Fidelity and BofA brokerage, not accepted a few months ago. I know a few others who had same issue, possibly BOI recently changed the policy on this requirement.

a month ago

Reply to

James *******

Keith *******

Insurance companies will generally give a refund on each remaining full month plus a cancellation fee, which might be equal to one month's amount. You would need to look at the T&C of your policy under "cancellation"

a month ago

Tony **********

Good luck getting a refund for a policy that has been in force!

a month ago

Brandon ************

There's no checks on your insurance for LTR. And no one has applied for the second 5 years yet so no one knows how that will go.

a month ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

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