Bangkok Insurance is one of Thailand’s three biggest non-life insurers, best known for car insurance with a strong claims record. For expats, it also sells a health plan built for foreigners on retirement visas that you can renew up to age 100.
If you search for car insurance in Thailand, Bangkok Insurance will be one of the first names you see. You will also see that its car premiums are among the highest, and Thai drivers keep paying them because claims tend to go smoothly.
The health side gets less attention, but it matters more to many expats. Bangkok Insurance’s Health Care Insurance for Foreigners covers up to THB3.5 million a year in hospital, is sold for the O-A, O-X and STV visas, and takes new applicants up to 75.
Below I go through Bangkok Insurance’s car, accident and health plans: what each covers, what it costs, and who it suits. If you only want health cover and don’t need it for a visa, an international plan usually gives you more for the money, and I cover those options near the end.
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Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Bangkok Insurance at a Glance
- What Is Bangkok Insurance?
- Car Insurance
- How Much Does Bangkok Insurance Car Insurance Cost?
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Other Products
- How Foreigners Buy Bangkok Insurance
- Disadvantages
- Should I Get It?
- Alternatives
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Bangkok Insurance the same company as Bangkok Life Assurance?
- When was Bangkok Insurance founded?
- Is Bangkok Insurance regulated in Thailand?
- Can foreigners buy Bangkok Insurance without a Thai work permit?
- Does Bangkok Insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
- Does Bangkok Insurance sell motorcycle or EV insurance?
- How do I contact Bangkok Insurance?
- What can I do if I have an unresolved dispute with a Thai insurer?
- Disclaimer
- Sources Cited
Key Takeaways
- Bangkok Insurance is one of Thailand’s top three non-life insurers, with about 10% of the market in 2025.
- Car insurance is its main product. It sells compulsory cover plus Type 1, 2+, 3+ and 3 policies, from THB2,300 a year.
- Its car premiums are higher than Muang Thai’s or Dhipaya’s for the same cover, but lower than Viriyah’s.
- Claims are its strong point. You report a car accident 24 hours a day on 1620.
- Its health plan for foreigners pays THB400,000 to THB3.5 million a year in hospital, takes new applicants up to 75 and renews to 100.
- PA Holiday accident cover costs THB910 to THB2,490 a year and doubles the payout for accidents on Thai public holidays.
- There is no dedicated motorbike or EV policy.
Bangkok Insurance at a Glance
Bangkok Insurance suits drivers who want Type 1 car cover from a big insurer with a good claims record, and retirees who need a visa-ready health plan they can keep until 100.
Bangkok Insurance
Thai car, accident and health insurer since 1947
- Car insurance
- Compulsory, Type 1, 2+, 3+ and 3
- Car cover from
- THB2,300 a year (Type 3)
- Health plan for foreigners
- THB400,000 to THB3.5 million a year in hospital
- Health plan ages
- Join up to 75, renew to 100
- Accident cover
- PA Holiday, THB910 to THB2,490 a year
- Accident hotline
- 1620, 24 hours
- Motorbike and EV
- No dedicated policy
- Founded
- 1947
Need health cover instead? Compare health insurance plans
Verified October 2026.
What Is Bangkok Insurance?
Bangkok Insurance is a Thai non-life insurer founded in 1947 by Chin Sophonpanich, the same founder behind Bangkok Bank. The two are separate companies but still work closely, which is why Bangkok Bank branches sell Bangkok Insurance products.
S&P Global Ratings puts Bangkok Insurance in the top three of Thailand’s non-life insurers, with about 10% of the market as of June 2025. Car insurance is its biggest line, at 46% of its premiums in the first half of 2025. (Verified October 2026.)
It is also financially solid. According to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the group had assets of over THB61,895 million in mid-2025. (Verified September 2026.)
Since June 2024, Bangkok Insurance’s shares have traded on the Stock Exchange of Thailand under a holding company, BKI Holdings (ticker BKIH). The insurance business itself runs as before under the Bangkok Insurance name.
Bangkok Insurance vs. Bangkok Life Assurance
Bangkok Insurance and Bangkok Life Assurance are two separate companies that happen to share a name.
- Bangkok Insurance (BKI): a non-life insurer. It sells car, health, personal accident and property cover, and no life insurance.
- Bangkok Life Assurance: a separately run, separately listed life insurance company.
Check which company a policy or agent actually represents before you buy. To weigh Bangkok Insurance against the wider market, see our guide to other insurance companies in Thailand.
Car Insurance
Bangkok Insurance sells compulsory car insurance and every main voluntary type from Type 1 down to Type 3, with prices starting at THB2,300 a year for Type 3. (Verified October 2026.)
Compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor) is required by law and only pays for people hurt in an accident. Voluntary cover sits on top of it and pays for damage to your car and to other people’s property:
| Plan | What it covers | Starting price |
| Type 1 | Your car and the other party, including crashes with no other vehicle, theft, fire and flood | Quote only; one plan lets you pick THB100,000 to THB300,000 of cover |
| Type 2+ Special Package | Crashes with another vehicle, theft, fire and natural disasters, THB50,000 to THB300,000 of cover, no deductible | THB6,600 a year |
| Type 3+ Super Special | Crashes with another vehicle up to THB100,000, plus flood and rollover, no deductible | THB6,180 a year |
| Type 3+ Special | Crashes with another vehicle up to THB100,000, no deductible, no inspection | THB5,890 a year |
| Type 3 Super Save | Damage and injuries you cause to others only | THB2,300 a year |
Many new cars in Thailand come with a year of Bangkok Insurance Type 1 cover, because the company partners with car brands to offer it as a free add-on for a new car.
Type 1 Plans and Deductibles
Bangkok Insurance’s Type 1 range covers cars up to 15 years old, with a few versions aimed at specific drivers:
- Motor by Region: priced by where you live, for cars up to 15 years old, with dealer or partner-garage repairs.
- Used Car Special: for cars aged 6 to 12 years, with up to THB750,000 of cover.
- Choose your own cover: THB100,000 to THB300,000 of cover for cars aged 2 to 10, partner-garage repairs and a THB3,000 deductible.
- Senior drivers: a plan for drivers aged 55 to 75 that adds nursing care at home after an accident.
- Best Value Protection: a cheaper plan for careful drivers with a THB5,000 deductible.
A deductible is the amount you pay yourself on each claim. Bangkok Insurance’s deductibles run from zero on its 2+ and 3+ plans to THB5,000 on Best Value Protection. (Verified October 2026.)
Bangkok Insurance gives you more choice on cover limits than most insurers. For a 2024 Honda City, I could pick a Type 1 coverage limit anywhere from THB100,000 to THB300,000.
Bangkok Insurance has no dedicated EV or motorbike policy on its website. (Checked October 2026.)
Car Insurance Claims
Bangkok Insurance’s 24-hour car accident hotline is 1620, and you can also report a car claim online through its i-Claim service. (Verified October 2026.)
- Car accident: 1620, 24 hours. The line had an English option (press 9) when we last called.
- Roadside help for Type 1 policies (breakdowns, not accidents): 0 2305 8588.
- Roadside help for Type 2+ and 3+ policies: 0 2114 7417.
- Accident and health claims: 1620, then press 2 and 1.
The claims process is Bangkok Insurance’s biggest strength. Its finances are strong, and it has a reputation for approving claims quickly and without fuss.
Viriyah Insurance and Bangkok Insurance are the only two companies I have seen with consistently positive reviews in Thai online communities. That good claims record is why Bangkok Insurance’s Type 1 cover is so popular: you can claim easily even for a crash with no other vehicle involved.
Bangkok Insurance is also one of the few Thai car insurers with a usable English website.
Partner Garages
Bangkok Insurance has partner garages across Thailand, with the most in big cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen and Phuket. Unless you live in a smaller province like Ranong, Yala or Loei, you should find one nearby.
Check with the garage you plan to use that it accepts Bangkok Insurance before you book the repair.
Should I Buy Car Insurance from Bangkok Insurance?
Bangkok Insurance is a good choice if you don’t mind paying a little more than other insurers in return for good service and easy claims, especially for Type 1 cover.
How Much Does Bangkok Insurance Car Insurance Cost?
Bangkok Insurance car insurance starts at THB2,300 a year for Type 3, THB5,890 for Type 3+ and THB6,600 for Type 2+. Type 1 has no set price, so you need a quote for your car. (Verified October 2026.)
Overall, you should expect to pay more than you would with most other Thai insurers, especially for Type 1. This is how those starting prices compare with what other Thai insurers quoted for a 2023 Toyota Yaris Ativ registered in Bangkok:
Swipe sideways to see every plan →
| Type of cover | Bangkok Insurance (from) | Cheapest other insurer | Typical other insurer |
| Type 2+ | THB6,600 | THB5,101 | THB6,699 |
| Type 3+ | THB5,890 | THB4,600 | THB6,000 |
| Type 3 | THB2,300 | THB1,800 | THB2,301 |
Its Type 2+ and Type 3 start close to the typical price, but its Type 3+ costs THB1,290 more than the cheapest plan.
While Bangkok Insurance car insurance tends to be more expensive than other providers, many Thai drivers are happy to pay it for the good support and easier claims.
Please note that your own price depends on your car’s model, age, value and province. Get a quote from Bangkok Insurance or an insurance broker that sells its policies, and compare it with one or two other insurers before you buy.
Personal Accident Insurance
Bangkok Insurance’s PA Holiday accident plan costs THB910, THB1,430 or THB2,490 a year and pays THB300,000, THB500,000 or THB1 million if an accident kills or permanently disables you. (Verified October 2026.)
PA Holiday is open to locals and expats aged 1 to 65 and covers you worldwide. If you open an account with Bangkok Bank, a bank officer may offer it to you as an add-on.
Swipe sideways to see every plan →
| PA Holiday benefit | Plan 1 | Plan 2 | Plan 3 |
| Death or permanent disability from an accident | THB300,000 | THB500,000 | THB1,000,000 |
| From murder, assault, or riding a motorbike | THB150,000 | THB250,000 | THB500,000 |
| From an accident on a Thai public holiday | THB600,000 | THB1,000,000 | THB2,000,000 |
| Medical costs per accident | THB10,000 | THB20,000 | THB30,000 |
| Cash if in hospital 14 days or more | THB20,000 | THB40,000 | THB60,000 |
| Price per year (any age 1 to 65) | THB910 | THB1,430 | THB2,490 |
The payout doubles for accidents on Thai public holidays such as New Year and Songkran, but halves for murder, assault and motorcycle accidents. Jobs with a high accident risk, such as couriers, motorbike taxi riders, construction workers and drivers, can’t apply.
Should I Buy Personal Accident Insurance from Bangkok Insurance?
Personal accident insurance makes sense if you travel, ride a motorbike, or spend a lot of time on Thai roads.
The medical cover is small, but the premiums are cheap and the policy covers you anywhere in the world. If you already have a good health plan that covers accidents, you may not need it.
Health Insurance
Bangkok Insurance’s main health plan for expats is Health Care Insurance for Foreigners, which pays THB400,000 to THB3.5 million a year for hospital care and is sold for the O-A, O-X and STV visas. (Verified October 2026.)
Bangkok Insurance also sells smaller plans for specific illnesses, such as cancer, office syndrome (THB1,990 a year) and 11 critical illnesses, plus a Thai-language health plan with up to THB1 million a year of cover. For expats, the foreigners’ plan is the one that matters, especially if you need health insurance for a retirement visa.
Health Care Insurance for Foreigners
Health Care Insurance for Foreigners comes in five plans, from THB400,000 to THB3.5 million of hospital cover a year, and every plan includes outpatient visits of up to THB1,500 to THB3,500 each, 30 times a year. (Verified October 2026.)
Swipe sideways to see every plan →
| Benefit | Plan 1 | Plan 2 | Plan 3 | Plan 4 | Plan 5 |
| Hospital limit per year | THB400,000 | THB600,000 | THB1,000,000 | THB2,000,000 | THB3,500,000 |
| Room per night (up to 45 nights) | THB2,000 | THB2,500 | THB3,000 | THB4,000 | THB5,000 |
| ICU per night (up to 15 nights) | THB4,000 | THB5,000 | THB6,000 | THB8,000 | THB10,000 |
| General hospital costs | THB100,000 | THB200,000 | THB300,000 | THB400,000 | THB500,000 |
| Surgery | THB100,000 | THB200,000 | THB300,000 | THB400,000 | THB500,000 |
| Emergency accident care (first 24 hours) | THB5,000 | THB7,000 | THB10,000 | THB15,000 | THB20,000 |
| Outpatient limit per year | THB45,000 | THB60,000 | THB75,000 | THB90,000 | THB105,000 |
| Outpatient per visit (30 visits a year) | THB1,500 | THB2,000 | THB2,500 | THB3,000 | THB3,500 |
| Price per year, age 56 to 60 | THB38,090 | THB45,470 | THB47,740 | THB53,050 | THB67,110 |
| Price per year, age 66 to 70 | THB62,390 | THB75,110 | THB78,870 | THB92,000 | THB120,920 |
| Price per year, age 71 to 75 | THB83,640 | THB100,620 | THB105,640 | THB121,000 | THB161,990 |
Each plan caps the room rate, the general hospital bill and surgery separately, so the yearly limit is a ceiling rather than what one stay will actually pay. On Plan 5, a stay can pay up to THB500,000 for hospital costs and THB500,000 for surgery, plus up to THB5,000 a night for the room.
The prices above have no deductible. You can lower them by choosing a deductible of THB50,000, THB100,000 or THB300,000 per treatment, which few visa plans offer.
- Ages: new applicants from 14 days to 75 years old, renewable to 100.
- O-X visa: open only to the nationalities that can get that visa, such as UK, US, Canadian, Australian, German and French citizens. The O-A and STV versions are open to all nationalities.
- Pre-existing conditions: not covered.
- Waiting periods: 30 days for any illness, and 120 days for tumours and cancer, hernias, cataracts, haemorrhoids, stones and a few other conditions.
- Outside Thailand: only sudden, unexpected illness or injury that needs a hospital stay.
- Direct billing: no need to pay upfront at Bangkok Insurance’s network hospitals.
Bangkok Insurance is on the Thai General Insurance Association’s list of insurers that can issue the O-A visa health insurance certificate. You apply with a signed health form and a copy of your passport.
Should You Buy Health Insurance from Bangkok Insurance?
If you don’t need health insurance for a Thai visa, you’ll usually get a better deal from expat health insurance such as Cigna Global.
Cigna Global gives you a much higher coverage limit, at US$1,000,000 a year on its Silver plan. It also covers you internationally and pays hospital stays, cancer and surgery in full up to that limit.
If you need health insurance for a retirement visa, compare it with AXA EasyCare Visa, another local plan built for the O-A and O-X certificate.
Bangkok Insurance’s biggest advantage is age. Few plans let you renew until 100, and that matters if you plan to retire in Thailand for good.
Find out more: Health Insurance in Thailand: What You Need to Know as an Expat
Other Products
Bangkok Insurance sells other insurance products too, mainly aimed at Thai customers and businesses:
- Travel insurance
- Home and property insurance
- Business insurance
- Marine cargo and aviation insurance
How Foreigners Buy Bangkok Insurance
Foreigners don’t need a Thai agent to buy Bangkok Insurance:
- Direct through the insurer’s English-language website.
- Through a licensed insurance broker in Thailand or a comparison site, which can compare Bangkok Insurance with other insurers in one place.
- As a personal accident add-on when you open a Bangkok Bank account.
For any product, bring your passport and confirm the exact document list with the agent or broker before you apply. Car cover is only one line in the total cost of owning a car in Thailand.
If you can’t settle a claim or complaint with the insurer directly, Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) runs a consumer hotline on 1186 (general line 0 2515 3999). It handles disputes with any licensed insurer.
Disadvantages
Bangkok Insurance’s main drawbacks are price on the car side and room caps on the health side:
- Its car insurance costs more than Muang Thai or Dhipaya for the same cover.
- It has no dedicated motorbike or EV policy.
- The health plan for foreigners caps the room rate at THB2,000 to THB5,000 a night, which may not cover a room at a top private hospital in Bangkok.
- That plan excludes pre-existing conditions and makes you wait 120 days for cancer and several common operations.
- Several product pages are only in Thai, and the English policy terms are a translation of the Thai wording, which is the version that counts.
- PA Holiday accident cover stops at 65.
Should I Get It?
Bangkok Insurance is a good pick for Type 1 car insurance if you value easy claims and an English website more than the lowest price. It is one of the safest names in Thai car insurance.
For health, it suits retirees in Thailand who need an O-A or O-X certificate for a Thailand retirement visa and want a plan they can renew to 100. If you don’t need a visa certificate, an international plan gives you much more cover for a similar price at younger ages.
Alternatives
For car insurance, the other big Thai insurers are worth a quote:
- Dhipaya Insurance: a large Thai insurer that is often cheaper than Bangkok Insurance for the same car cover. See our Dhipaya Insurance review.
- Muang Thai Insurance: one of the cheapest Type 3+ plans in our CheckDi quotes. See our Muang Thai Insurance review.
- Viriyah Insurance: a large Thai car insurer with a similar claims reputation and higher prices. See our Viriyah Insurance review.
Our guide to car insurance in Thailand explains the policy types and how to compare quotes.
For health insurance, these plans fill the gaps Bangkok Insurance leaves:
- AXA EasyCare Visa: a low-cost Thai plan that comes with the O-A and O-X visa certificate. See our AXA EasyCare Visa review.
- Luma Health: a Thai health plan built for expats and priced in baht. See our Luma Health review.
- Cigna Healthcare: international cover with no upper age limit to join. See our Cigna Healthcare Thailand review.
To compare health plans side by side, use our expat health insurance comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bangkok Insurance sells car, accident and health cover to foreigners, either directly, through brokers, or at Bangkok Bank branches.
Is Bangkok Insurance the same company as Bangkok Life Assurance?
No. Bangkok Insurance (BKI) is a non-life insurer selling car, health and personal accident cover. Bangkok Life Assurance is a separate, separately listed life insurance company.
When was Bangkok Insurance founded?
Bangkok Insurance was incorporated on 15 April 1947 as Asia Insurance Company Limited and renamed Bangkok Insurance in 1964.
Is Bangkok Insurance regulated in Thailand?
Yes. Like every non-life insurer in Thailand, it’s licensed and supervised by the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC).
Can foreigners buy Bangkok Insurance without a Thai work permit?
Car and personal accident policies are generally open to foreign residents, and the health plan for foreigners is built for people on O-A, O-X and STV visas. Confirm eligibility and documents with an agent, broker or the insurer before you apply.
Does Bangkok Insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No. Health Care Insurance for Foreigners doesn’t cover any illness or injury you had symptoms of, or were treated for, before the policy started.
Does Bangkok Insurance sell motorcycle or EV insurance?
Not as a dedicated policy. Its website lists no motorbike or EV plans as of October 2026.
How do I contact Bangkok Insurance?
Call 1620, 24 hours, to report a car accident; for accident and health claims, call 1620 and press 2, then 1. You can also file car claims online through i-Claim.
What can I do if I have an unresolved dispute with a Thai insurer?
Call Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) hotline on 1186 to escalate an insurance dispute you can’t settle with the insurer.
Disclaimer
*While we try our best to provide you with up-to-date and accurate information, the volatile nature of the insurance business means some of the information above may be subject to change. Please use it only as a guideline, and if you have any doubts, it’s best to check directly with Bangkok Insurance or an insurance broker.
We are not an insurance broker and can’t offer individualized advice. We can only connect you with people who we would consult in your situation, and who we found to be professional, knowledgeable, and ethical in their dealings with clients.
These providers sometimes provide us with financial incentive to refer new clients to them. This happens at no cost to you and helps us cover some of the expenses of running this website.
Please be aware that while we do our best to select the most suitable providers, we’re unable to provide any guarantees or accept any liability resulting from your interactions and transactions with our partners.
Sources Cited
- Bangkok Insurance, company history: founder, 1947 incorporation as Asia Insurance, 1964 rename, BKI Holdings listing in June 2024.
- Bangkok Insurance, motor insurance: car insurance types, Type 1 plans, deductibles and starting prices.
- Bangkok Insurance, health insurance: health plan line-up, office syndrome price.
- Bangkok Insurance, Health Care Insurance for Foreigners: schedule of benefits, premium table, deductibles, ages, visa eligibility, waiting periods and exclusions.
- Bangkok Insurance, PA Holiday: accident plan benefits, prices, ages and excluded jobs.
- Bangkok Insurance, claims and emergency numbers: 1620 hotline, i-Claim, roadside numbers.
- S&P Global Ratings, Bangkok Insurance PCL (November 2025): top-three market position, 10% market share, motor share of premiums.
- Stock Exchange of Thailand, BKIH company highlights: total assets.
- Thai General Insurance Association, O-A participating companies: insurers that can issue the O-A health insurance certificate.
- Office of Insurance Commission (OIC), consumer contact: 1186 hotline.
- CheckDi live car and motorbike insurance quotes, pulled 6 and 14 October 2026: 2023 Toyota Yaris Ativ 1.2 and 2018 Honda City 1.5, registered in Bangkok; 2024 Honda Click 125i and Honda CB500F
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