RIDING INTO THAILAND? THE REAL INSURANCE GUIDE THEY NEVER TELL YOU – UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE

By Amarjeet Singh @ AJ

When the floods swept across Southern Thailand recently, many Malaysians — riders and drivers — were caught unprepared. Hotels turned into islands, highways disappeared, bikes floated, cars drowned, and yet the biggest damage did not come from the floodwater. It came from something far more painful:

Not understanding the insurance you bought. Or worse, thinking you were covered when you weren’t.

People talk about “border insurance” as if it’s a magic shield, but the truth is simple: The insurance you buy at the border does NOT protect your car or bike from floods, accidents, theft, or natural disasters.

And every year, people learn this lesson only after their vehicle is already underwater.

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THE HARSH TRUTH: WHAT YOU BUY AT THE BORDER IS NOT “FULL INSURANCE”

Most Malaysians only buy the compulsory/basic Thai insurance at the border because it’s “cheap” and “mandatory”. But here’s the reality:

Border Insurance = THIRD PARTY ONLY

- Covers injuries to others.
- Covers nothing for your own vehicle.
- Covers nothing for floods, theft, or damage.
- It is only a legal requirement to enter Thailand.

Many riders only discover this when their motorcycle is stuck in a parking lot in Hat Yai, submerged up to the tank — and suddenly, no one wants to cover the repair.

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THE TRUTH ABOUT EXTENSION 101 (MALAYSIAN VEHICLES)

Extension 101 is the lifeline Malaysians desperately need — but even this has limitations people don’t know about.

Based on real experience:
Extension 101 does NOT include towing services inside Thailand.
You must arrange your own tow truck all the way to the Malaysia–Thai border.

Only once your damaged vehicle reaches Malaysian soil will the Malaysian insurer take over, including towing and repairs.

All repairs MUST be done in Malaysia.

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THE 4 TYPES OF INSURANCE YOU MUST HAVE FOR THAILAND

1. COMPULSORY INSURANCE (CI / Por Ror Bor)

Mandatory by Thai law. Covers medical expenses only:

- 80,000 THB (not your fault)
- 30,000 THB (your fault)

Does NOT cover your vehicle, towing, natural disasters, hospital upgrades, or passengers’ full costs.

2. VOLUNTARY INSURANCE (Thailand Comprehensive)

Often misunderstood. Covers third-party property and injury. Does NOT always cover your vehicle.

Foreign vehicles qualify only for:
- Class 3+ – collision-based damage to your own vehicle
- Class 2+ – excludes self-accidents
- Class 3 – basic third-party only

Class 1 is NOT available for foreign vehicles.

3. ENDORSEMENT 101 (Malaysian Vehicles Only)

This extends your Malaysian comprehensive insurance into Thailand. Covers your own vehicle damage.

Limitations:
- No towing inside Thailand
- Repairs must be in Malaysia
- Coverage only for your vehicle, NOT medical
- Requires Malaysian comprehensive policy

4. PERSONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE

This covers:
- medical bills
- ambulance fees
- private hospital choices
- evacuation
- medication

A rider in Koh Samui recently paid 8,250 THB out of pocket because he did not have travel insurance. If he had, everything would have been covered.

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COST GUIDE – IT’S NOT EXPENSIVE

- Compulsory + Voluntary (3 months): RM245
- Extension 101 (3–7 days): RM30–50
- Travel Insurance (1 week): RM30–90

Total protection: RM300–RM380 only.

Yet people still say:
“Ala, aku pi Dannok je… makan tomyam… tak payah insurance.”

In Thailand, that mindset will destroy you financially.

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AFTER THE FLOODS: AUTHORITIES ARE WATCHING

With so many Malaysian vehicles damaged in Thailand, border authorities are now more alert. They are:

- Recording number plates
- Photographing vehicles
- Logging returning flood-damaged bikes and cars
- Working with insurers to detect fraud

Anyone claiming “the car was damaged in Malaysia” will be easily caught.

Be honest. Fraud brings permanent consequences.

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BE HONEST WITH YOUR LOVED ONES TOO

When you ride into Thailand, tell your family the truth. Your route, your destination, your group, your duration.

Many victims told their families they were “going to Penang”, but ended up crossing the border. When the floods hit, panic erupted at home.

Truth is not control. It is protection.

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IF YOUR VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STUCK IN THAILAND

Here’s what you MUST do:

1. Take photos and videos
2. Record GPS location
3. Get written confirmation from hotel/locals
4. Contact Malaysian insurer
5. Contact Thai compulsory/voluntary agent
6. Arrange towing to the Thai–Malaysia border
7. Let Malaysian insurer take over from there

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WHERE TO BUY THE RIGHT INSURANCE?

Agents like GoThai are commonly used because they: prepare forms, provide compulsory + voluntary insurance, offer support, and even have a drive-thru pick-up lane.

There are also reliable agents in KL who prepare all forms, insurance, and documents for a small fee.

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THE FINAL WORD: DON’T GAMBLE WITH THAILAND

Foreign insurance is not a luxury — it is survival. Medical bills abroad are expensive. Vehicle repairs abroad are worse.

Before travelling:

- Get compulsory insurance
- Get voluntary insurance
- Get Extension 101
- Get travel insurance
- Add special perils to your Malaysian comprehensive coverage

Thailand is beautiful. The food is amazing. The memories are priceless.

Just don’t let one accident or one flood ruin everything.

By Amarjeet Singh @ AJ