Press enter to see results or esc to cancel.

How To Choose An Insurance Broker In Thailand

Use an insurance broker instead of purchasing a health insurance policy directly from the insurance company to find the best deals. Reputable insurance brokers in Thailand don’t charge a fee for their services, and they can help expats obtain and compare policies from multiple insurance companies.

Discover the world's top health insurers.
Compare quotes with a click of the button.

Are you moving to Thailand from another country? Are you trying to square away a health insurance plan so you can afford medical care at Thailand’s top international hospitals?

Keep reading to find out the benefits of using an insurance broker and how to choose one that you can trust! 

In this article, we’ll help you find an insurance broker that works with multiple insurers in Thailand to provide you with the best service. That way, you can get and compare quotes for policies in one place without costing you more of your hard-earned money.

If you’re ready to compare quotes for insurance in Thailand immediately, you can access free quotes here. You may also find this tutorial video for insurance quotes helpful.

If you don’t know what insurance you need in Thailand, consult this guide.

For additional information about Thailand’s healthcare system, see Pacific Prime’s page about Thailand.

Why Work With An Insurance Broker In Thailand?

International Health Insurance brokers represent the client, not the insurance companies. Instead, an insurance broker partners with insurance companies to sell policies from multiple companies. Expats and travelers will more easily compare quotes and ask questions with the help of a broker.

There are many insurance companies in Thailand, so using a broker will help you choose a policy that meets your specific needs and budget. 

Even if you have coverage through Thailand’s Social Security Scheme for universal health coverage, a private health insurance plan will give you access to international hospitals with shorter wait times and fewer language barriers than public hospitals in Thailand.

Sathorn, Bangkok, Thailand

Insurance Brokers Handle Administrative Tasks

One of the benefits of working with an insurance broker to secure private health insurance in Thailand is that there is less paperwork and other administrative tasks for the client. Travelers and expats will have an easier time because the broker handles a lot of tasks on your behalf.

Insurance Brokers Offer Continuous Support

You remain a client of your selected insurance broker after you secure the policy. The broker will continue to assist you in renewing your plan, updating it, and filing claims. You’ll be able to reach out with questions and receive support from your insurance broker in Thailand.

Insurance Brokers Offer Personalized Options and Market Insights

Insurance brokers are experts on policy options and market trends. You’ll be able to customize plans based on your budget and needs because an Insurance broker will help you secure the best fit. A broker in Thailand will understand the insurance and healthcare landscape of the country.

Insurance Brokers Advocate and Mediate on Behalf of Policyholders

Your relationship with your broker means that the broker will support you and work to keep your loyalty. They also understand the terminology of insurance and can help mediate with insurance companies. You’ll have much more security with an advocate in your corner.

What Makes A Good Insurance Broker In Thailand?

Good insurance brokers in Thailand should have both local expertise and international presence. These qualities require experience. It’s also important for expats and travelers to note that reputable insurance brokers make commissions from their insurance partners and do not charge you any fees.

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Mueang Chiang Mai District

We’ll go into greater detail to help you know what each one of these qualities means and why it matters.

Find an Insurance Broker with Experience

You want a health insurance broker with experience. That experience means stronger partnerships with both clients and insurance companies. The insurance broker can use those strong relationships in the market to secure you, their client, the best deals.

Experience also means that the insurance broker will be familiar with your situation because they’re more likely to have encountered it before. They can use their vast experience to answer your questions and overcome obstacles.

Pacific Prime is a great example of this. We have over 20 years of experience in the international insurance industry, so we have helped expats and travelers far and wide obtain an insurance plan that meets their needs.

Work with a Broker with Local Expertise

A broker familiar with your destination country will be able to make recommendations for plans that suit the area. They’ll also have business relationships with more insurance companies for the region, so you’ll get more options for coverage.

Expats headed to Thailand will enjoy working with Pacific Prime. We have relationships with many high-quality insurance companies with policies applicable to Thailand. To find out more about these insurance companies, you can read this list of Pacific Prime’s Partners.

Good Brokers have International Presence

Insurance brokers that have offices in multiple regions of the world demonstrate their reliability and strong ties to multiple areas. That means you’ll be working with a broker that has people familiar with your destination because they physically do business in the area.

Pacific Prime has offices around the world, so our clients can rest easy that we have experience working in a global insurance marketplace. We understand the ins and outs of regions worldwide.  

This perspective will help you land the best insurance deal in Thailand!

An Outstanding Broker Makes the Claims Process Easier

If you’re looking for an insurance broker that stands out from the rest of the pack, select an insurance broker that makes the claims process as easy as possible for their clients. Investigate how the insurance broker will help you with insurance claims.

Pacific Prime is unique in the fact that we have a dedicated claims team. Having a team dedicated to simplifying the claims process for our clients means that our clients will experience less headache and hassle when filing insurance claims.

Reputable Brokers Don’t Charge Fees

Most insurance brokers don’t charge their clients fees. The insurance company pays the broker a commission, and that doesn’t cost you a single penny. If an insurance broker charges you a fee for their services, you can find many brokers that don’t cost you extra.

Pacific Prime does not charge their clients any fees for the services that they provide. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to ask one of our insurance experts.

Bangkok City Heavy Traffic

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth it to use an insurance broker in Thailand?

Working with an insurance broker in Thailand means you can compare plans from multiple insurance companies and seek customized plans that meet your budget and coverage needs. A broker is familiar with the market in Thailand and can also make personalized recommendations.

Can foreigners in Thailand buy insurance?

Foreigners visiting or living in Thailand can buy insurance policies that cover medical expenses. Visitors will want to find a travel insurance policy that meets their needs, and expats in Thailand will want a longer-term international health insurance policy.

What are the disadvantages of working with health insurance brokers?

The disadvantage of working with an insurance broker applies if you select a broker that charges a fee for services. Most insurance brokers do not charge clients for their services, so you can always find one that doesn’t.

What do insurance brokers do in the healthcare setting?

Insurance brokers work with multiple insurance companies to help their clients compare and purchase health insurance policies. There are domestic insurance brokers as well as international health insurance brokers for expats and tourists.

How do insurance brokers get paid?

Insurance brokers are paid a commission by the insurance company when one of their clients purchases a policy. Reputable insurance brokers don’t need to charge fees for their services, and their relationship with multiple insurance companies can leverage you the best deal.

Will I pay more for using a broker?

You will not pay more for using an insurance broker. Reputable brokers don’t charge fees to their clients. Also, because a broker sells insurance policies from multiple companies, you can compare rates more easily. A good broker will negotiate a better insurance rate than you can on your own.

What is the difference between insurance brokers and agents?

Insurance agents represent a specific insurance company. Their recommendations will be limited to the company they represent. On the other hand, independent insurance agents and insurance brokers work with multiple companies to compare quotes and give personalized recommendations.

Who regulates insurance in Thailand?

The Office of Insurance Commission has regulated insurance in Thailand since 2007. Their job is to build stability and competitiveness in the insurance market in Thailand. The OIC also supports public trust and access to insurance.

Do I have to have health insurance to retire in Thailand?

Health insurance is required for foreigners retiring in Thailand. Health insurance policies may be purchased through international companies or local Thai companies. To retire in Thailand as an expat, you’ll also have to meet basic income requirements.

Do you need health insurance in Thailand as an expat?

Thailand requires residents and visa holders to have health insurance. Some expats will be eligible for public healthcare if their wages are taxed appropriately. Others will need or may choose to purchase a private insurance plan.

Kickstart Your Search for the Perfect Insurer

Compare over
50,000 Plans
from Top Insurers

Conclusion

Your vacation or move to Thailand will be much smoother if you work with an insurance broker like Pacific Prime. Pacific Prime has more than twenty years of experience, international presence across the globe, and expertise in regions worldwide. 

If you have questions about how to buy insurance in Thailand, read this article.

With Pacific Prime’s dedicated claims team, you’ll also have the ongoing support you need to feel comfortable abroad. Contact an insurance expert with Pacific Prime today or use our free online quotation tool.

Additional Resources from Pacific Prime for Expats

Pacific Prime has additional blog posts to help guide your international adventures. You will love exploring places to live in Thailand with our top picks of locations to live in Thailand for expats. For a broader perspective, check out the Best Places to Live in Asia for Expats.

Don’t miss our Guide to Living abroad in Thailand for information about the cost of living and visas for Americans in Thailand. You can also compare the cost of living in Thailand to other countries in Asia in our Guide to Living Abroad in Asia.

We can also recommend the Best Places for Expats to Live in Europe, and we have a Guide to Living Abroad in Europe.

Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime
Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
Jantra Jacobs
Latest posts by Jantra Jacobs (see all)