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

Jul 11, 2025
23 days 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.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Marty *********
No one has reached five years yet. They may look at all the first 5 years to check that you met the requirements.
James *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marty ********
that is a good point
Shane ********
You can compare health insurance options in Thailand here
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comparison site from
@Insurance **************
Francois ********
Look into

LMG Thai health insurance
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
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
Todd *********
@James ******
I’m sure pretty much everyone who qualifies has $100k lying around somewhere.

Mine was brokerage account. No issues with acceptance
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.
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"
Tony **********
Good luck getting a refund for a policy that has been in force!
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.
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