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When you are looking to buy car insurance, sooner or later, you should find Dhipaya Insurance in your search.
You will also quickly be attracted by their insurance premiums, which are lower than many providers but still offer similar coverage.
But should you really buy it?
In this review article, I’m going to show you everything you need to know about Dhipaya Insurance, including what kind of insurance they offer, their plans, market positions, claim procedures, partnered garages, and more.
At the end of this review, it will help you make an informed decision about whether you want to get Dhipaya Insurance or not.
Contents
- Key Takeaways
- A Bit About Dhipaya Insurance
- Credibility
- Products
- Car Insurance
- Health Insurance
- How to Buy and Contact Dhipaya Insurance
- Dhipaya vs. Dhipaya Group Holdings (TIPH): What Changed in 2021
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Dhipaya Insurance the same company as Dhipaya Group Holdings (TIPH)?
- When was Dhipaya Insurance founded, and who owns it?
- Is Dhipaya Insurance regulated in Thailand?
- Does Dhipaya Insurance offer English-language customer service?
- Can I buy or manage a Dhipaya policy online?
- What is Tip Lady insurance?
- What can I do if I have an unresolved dispute with Dhipaya Insurance?
- My Personal Review of Dhipaya Insurance
Key Takeaways
- Dhipaya Insurance is known for having affordable car insurance plans.
- They are among the biggest companies in Thailand, offering various types of insurance products.
- They also provide affordable health insurance and personal accident insurance; however, coverage can be limited.
- While the company is legitimate, their claim procedure can be quite strict.
- Many locals consider them a semi-government insurance company since a majority of the company shares belong to the Thai government.
A Bit About Dhipaya Insurance
Dhipaya Insurance has been in the insurance market for more than 70 years since it was founded in 1951.
According to the AM Best, Dhipaya Insurance is the second biggest non-life insurance company in Thailand.
Their main products include car insurance, personal accident insurance, fire insurance, and marine insurance.
In fact, some people consider Dhipaya Insurance as a semi-public insurance company since a majority of Dhipaya Insurance shares are held by many public organizations such as PTT (more than half of PTT shares belong to the Thailand Ministry of Finance), Government Savings Bank, and Krungthai Bank.
Credibility
Dhipaya Insurance is credible. The company has been in the market for more than seven decades.
Since a majority of Dhipaya Insurance shares are held by government organizations, it’s expected that they will still be in the market in the foreseeable future.
In addition to that, while Dhipaya can be quite strict when it comes to making a claim, they still do pay as long as you follow all of the procedures correctly.
Products
Dhipaya Insurance is among the biggest insurance providers when it comes to fire insurance, marine hull insurance, and personal accident insurance.
However, when it comes to products for expats in Thailand, only car insurance is interesting.
For other types of insurance provided by Dhipaya Insurance, they are mainly for corporations or Thai citizens.
Car Insurance
Dhipaya Insurance provides various types of car insurance plans, from type 3 to type 1.
In addition, they also have specific insurance plans for those who drive less than 5,000 km or 10,000 km a year, as well as a plan for female drivers only called Tip Lady.
The coverage limits of all plans are very similar, including the coverage for own damage, fire, flood, medical expenses, and so on.
However, there are normally 2-3 options for their type 1 insurance. Key differences lie in the coverage limit on third-party liability and medical coverage.
Car Insurance Coverage
Even with the highest plan, Dhipaya coverage is basically the same as other providers.
Since car insurance in Thailand is competitive and heavily regulated by the Thai General Insurance Association, coverage for all car insurance providers in Thailand tends to be the same.
Car Insurance Premium
Car insurance provided by Dhipaya Insurance is known for its affordability.
Their plans tend to be cheaper than other providers, especially for those who rarely drive their cars.
For example, if you drive less than 5,000 kilometers per year, their Type 1 insurance plan can be 50% cheaper than other providers.
Partnered Garages
Another big benefit of Dhipaya Insurance is that their partnered garages can be found all over Thailand.
Based on my observations, the number of their partner garages is on par with Viriyah Insurance and Bangkok Insurance.
This means, no matter where you live, you should be able to find Dhipaya Insurance partnered garages nearby.
Car Insurance Claim Procedure
The claim procedure is the biggest con of Dhipaya Insurance.
They are known to be very strict in approving claims and try their best not to pay.
For example, my father-in-law once accidentally hit a parked motorcycle out of his carelessness in a private hospital. Then, he called a Dhipaya Insurance representative to the scene.
However, the representative tried to negotiate the situation, saying that the motorcycle’s rider was careless too since he parked in a restricted area (which was allowed by a security guard).
The Dhipaya representative did this because he didn’t want the company to fix the damage of the motorcycle.
After that, my father-in-law still needed to go back and forth to a local police station and a private hospital together with the Dhipaya Insurance representative and the motorcycle rider.
In the end, it was still my father-in-law’s fault and Dhipaya Insurance still needed to pay everything, but everyone involved wasted the entire half day of that day.
Car Insurance from Dhipaya vs. Other Providers
One of the great things about Dhipaya Insurance is that they tend to be cheaper than other providers while providing the exact same coverage.
Here’s a comparison table comparing premium and coverage between Dhipaya Insurance and other providers in the market. It’s for Type 1 insurance, Toyota Yaris, garage repair only.
| Insurance | Dhipaya | Viriyah | Muang Thai | Nawakit |
| Coverage Limit | 390,000 | 390,000 | 390,000 | 390,000 |
| Fire and Flood | 390,000 | 390,000 | 390,000 | 390,000 |
| Theft | 390,000 | 390,000 | 390,000 | 390,000 |
| Third Party’s Property Liability | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 |
| Third Party’s Liability for Injuries/Death | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Personal Accident | 200,000 | 200,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Medical Expenses | 200,000 | 200,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Deductible | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Price/Year | 14,613 | 15,102 | 15,547 | 16,834 |
Should I Buy Car Insurance from Dhipaya Insurance?
If price is your main factor, Dhipaya Insurance is a good option. They tend to be more affordable than other providers, and the company is also credible.
In case you drive less than 10,000 km a year, Dhipaya Insurance becomes much more interesting since their plans can be at least 20% cheaper than other providers.
In addition, it’s also easy to find their partnered garages, no matter where you live in Thailand.
However, if you are insured with Dhipaya Insurance, your claim procedure might not be as smooth as other providers like Viriyah Insurance or Muang Thai Insurance.
Always have your dashcam and take pictures of everything.
Health Insurance
Dhipaya Insurance has various health insurance plans for both Thais and expats in Thailand.
Their plans are quite affordable but also have limited coverage as well.
For example, it costs only 15,000 baht a year to buy their TIP Smart Healthcare Comfort plan for those who are in the age range of 61 years old to 70 years old. But you get coverage limits of only 50,000 baht per sickness.
Dhipaya Insurance also has plans for retirees who need insurance for their retirement visa, coming with a coverage limit of 3,500,000 baht per year. It costs 69,000 baht per year for those who are 61-70 years old, without any deductible.
However, it doesn’t mean that you can get the 3,500,000 baht limit. Instead, each procedure has specific limits as follows:
- General treatment fee: 150,000 baht
- Doctor’s fee: 2,000 baht per day
- Surgery fee: 250,000 baht
- Room and board: 10,000 baht per day
- ICU: 20,000 baht per day
Still, it’s an affordable plan with limited coverage.
Personal Accident Insurance
Dhipaya Insurance has many affordable personal accident insurance plans. Similar to their health insurance plans, they are affordable yet come with limited coverage.
For example, their highest personal accident plan costs only 2,850 baht a year, coming with a coverage limit of 700,000 baht for death and dismemberment and 30,000 baht for medical treatment after an accident.
Other
Dhipaya also sells travel insurance and fire and property insurance, alongside the car, health, and personal accident lines covered in this review. These are worth a look if you need one policy provider for more than just your car, though we haven’t reviewed them in the same depth here; see our Thailand travel insurance guide for how Dhipaya’s travel plans stack up against dedicated travel insurers.
How to Buy and Contact Dhipaya Insurance
You can buy most Dhipaya policies directly through the company’s English-language website, or through the TIP Insure mobile app (available on the App Store and Google Play), which also handles claims and policy renewals.
If you would rather compare Dhipaya against other insurers before deciding, a licensed insurance broker in Thailand can do that for you in one place.
Dhipaya’s call center is 1736. If a claim or complaint cannot be resolved with the company directly, Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) handles complaints and mediation for any licensed insurer, including Dhipaya. This is a general regulatory backstop, not a comment on Dhipaya’s own claims handling.
Dhipaya vs. Dhipaya Group Holdings (TIPH): What Changed in 2021
Dhipaya Insurance Public Company Limited (TIP) has been listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand since 1996. In 2021, the company restructured: a new holding company, Dhipaya Group Holdings Public Company Limited (TIPH), began trading on the SET in its place, and Dhipaya Insurance became TIPH’s core insurance subsidiary. TIPH also owns a handful of related businesses, including an insurance broker and a survey and loss-adjusting firm.
For you as a policyholder, nothing about buying or claiming changes. Your policy is still issued by Dhipaya Insurance PCL, under the same OIC license it has always held. TIPH is simply the listed parent company on top. If you are weighing Dhipaya against the rest of the market, see our roundup of other insurance companies in Thailand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dhipaya Insurance the same company as Dhipaya Group Holdings (TIPH)?
No, though they’re closely related. Dhipaya Insurance PCL (TIP) is the operating insurance company. Dhipaya Group Holdings PCL (TIPH) is the listed parent company created in 2021, when TIPH shares replaced TIP shares on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Your policy is still with Dhipaya Insurance.
When was Dhipaya Insurance founded, and who owns it?
Dhipaya Insurance was founded on November 9, 1951, by Field Marshal Sarit Dhanarajata. Its major shareholders have long included Thai state and state-linked entities such as the Ministry of Finance, Krung Thai Bank, the Government Savings Bank, and PTT, which is why many Thais consider it a semi-government company.
Is Dhipaya Insurance regulated in Thailand?
Yes. Like every non-life insurer operating in Thailand, Dhipaya Insurance is licensed and supervised by the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC).
Does Dhipaya Insurance offer English-language customer service?
Yes. Dhipaya’s website runs in English at dhipaya.co.th/en, and the company’s call center is 1736. Confirm English support for your specific product when you buy, since availability can vary by department.
Can I buy or manage a Dhipaya policy online?
Yes. Dhipaya sells policies through its English-language website and through its TIP Insure app, which also lets you file claims and manage renewals. You can also go through a licensed broker if you want to compare Dhipaya against other insurers first.
What is Tip Lady insurance?
Tip Lady is Dhipaya’s car insurance plan designed specifically for female drivers. Coverage limits are broadly similar to Dhipaya’s standard plans; check current pricing and terms directly with Dhipaya or a broker.
What can I do if I have an unresolved dispute with Dhipaya Insurance?
You can escalate an unresolved complaint to Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC), which handles complaints and mediation for any licensed insurer in the country, not just Dhipaya.
My Personal Review of Dhipaya Insurance
In conclusion, Dhipaya Insurance is a legit insurance company in Thailand. Their insurance plans, including car insurance, health insurance, personal accident insurance, and more, tend to be cheaper than other providers in the market.
However, the coverage is more limited. Dhipaya Insurance can also be strict when it comes to claiming.
All in all, if you are on a budget and need affordable insurance from a reputable company, Dhipaya Insurance can be a good option.
On the other hand, if you want a comprehensive plan with great customer support and smooth claim procedures, it’s better to check out other providers.
You can use CheckDi.com to compare all local insurance plans in Thailand easily within a few clicks.
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