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What health insurance options are available for expats on DTV in Thailand?
DTV visahealth insuranceexpat living in ThailandSafetyWingCigna Globaltravel insurancehealthcare in Thailand
Dec 7, 2025
5 months ago
Tomas ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi. Those who have their DTV and staying 5–> months in Thailand a year, which health insurance you have
TLDR : Answer Summary
Expats in Thailand on a DTV visa discuss their health insurance options. Some mentioned that health insurance is not required and that many use services like SafetyWing and Cigna Global. Others mentioned travel insurance, particularly for short stays, and shared tips such as obtaining free travel insurance through credit cards. There was a consensus that not all insurance would apply to DTV holders, as it is a tourist visa.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Tim ******
If you book your return ticket on an American express explorer card, or similar, they will give you 180 days free travel insurance.
Graham *******
@Tim *****
Yeah right, and a Nobel Peace Prize!Reply to
Graham *******
Reply
Sophie *********
Luma
Graham *******
Don't need, they won't pay, your not a permanent resident!
Sylvia ********
@Graham ******
you can get 6 months cover, many DTV are staying for 5 yrs other than the odd week out of the countrySylvia ********
@Graham ******
ypu have evidence of non payment? my cover even covers me outside Thailand, depends on the policy.Ian *******
@Sylvia *******
yes I know people, including myself, where Thai insurance companies do not pay and cancel your policies if you try to claim. In my case they said I had not told them about my previous history. I pointed out they did not ask me for my history when we met and signed the policy. I think they asked my girlfriend in Thai how is my health, she responded that I am good, which was true. They did not ask her for my previous history, which she would have answered truthfully. But they should have asked me, not her.Sylvia ********
@Ian ******
unfortunately that is a language issue, I travelled to Bangkok head office and asked for a meeting with an English speaking advisor before signing up. Have a friend whom cover was cancelled when he reached 70, they had said theyd cover til death, well they do continue the life insurance but not the health insurance! His policy had 2 parts, again language problem as signed up with an agent. My advise would be:- Either self insure if you have sufficient funds or pay high premium with international companyGraham *******
@Sylvia *******
Interesting thing you say about cancelling when aged 70. I wonder what the LTR retiree's think of that as they need health insurance as part of their visa requirements. This means if they try to renew after 5 years and are over 70 then it might be refused. Also, if their health insurance gets cancelled during the first 5 years then they could be deported.Reply to
Graham *******
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Mark ********
You should be able to get travel insurance on DTV as it's a tourist visa
Sara *******
I have Cigna Global for major medical (emergencies, cancer, etc) and pay cash for outpatient visits
John **********
@Sara ******
Cancer is outpatient for chemo and such .. the only part of that would be in patient would be surgery but chemo is extremely expensive, something to considerSara *******
@Jo**
- my plan specifically says cancer treatment is covered. But I'll double check the fine print. Thanks for the heads upReply to
Sara *******
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Rich ****
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Sly *******
@Rich ***
I second this. I have made multiple claims under $1500 with the Genki Traveller plan and they’ve always paid out with no issues.Reply to
Sly *******
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Steve *******
I use Safetywing with worldwide coverage:
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Melissa ********
I too would love to know. Researching it myself.
Peter ************
@Melissa *******
can I please ask, who is your insurance provider for 12 months I’m interested in a similar cover.Wayne *********
@Melissa *******
I use axa easycare for my visa requirements, policy seems ok, But i also have a yearly travel policyMelissa ********
Thank you I’ll look into them. We’ll be traveling all over the world all next year so I’m in the research stage.
Reply to
Melissa ********
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Jeremy ********
All the YT creators plug safetywing
Jason ********
I'm not a YT creator but I have Safetywing Essential Plan. I came down with Covid and they paid everything within a week. Claim process was so easy. Anyone getting denied, it's probably user error. I had to go back to the hospital to get the doctor's report, but that was the most difficult part. They paid hospital fees, medications, etc.
Rich ****
@Jeremy *******
Safetywing has a reputation of not paying claims.Jeremy ********
All I said is that YT creators plug it
Use NOW health
Use NOW health
Reply to
Jeremy ********
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Jeff *******
None. Not required.
Martin *********
@Jeff ******
lol. If course not that is until your sick or have a accidentKlaus ***********
@Jeff ******
Then you will risk being the guy in the picture in the hospital bed where friend try to raise money for the return to your home country for needed treatmentJeff *******
@Klaus **********
No. I won't be "that guy". Like I said, everyone's situation is different. And if someone can't afford to return to their home country, they shouldn't be here n the first place.Lincoln *******
@Klaus **********
there's not much they can't do in Thai hospitals, what is something you would need to go home for?Klaus ***********
@Lincoln ******
If you can handle a bill in the multiple million bath class, then it no problem to be self-insuredReply to
Klaus ***********
Reply
Jim ********
@Jeff ******
think it was a general question because although not required it would be daft to not have insuranceJeff *******
@Jim *******
Depends on everyone's individual situation. Most Thai insurance is poor value. It depends on what type of insurance you can get in your home country.Tomas ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jim *******
yes in general. Not requiered, but i would like to have it😅Wayne *********
@Tomas **********
look at axa easycare policiesJim ********
@Tomas **********
defo mateReply to
Jim ********
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Rick *********
@Jim *******
if you’re 70 or over it’s very expensive. If you’re that age and well off, better to pay for expenses yourself. If you’re that age and not well off, daft to live in Thailand.
Reply to
Rick *********
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