Is MSIG a Good Choice for Overseas Travel Insurance?

Is MSIG a Good Choice for Overseas Travel Insurance?

People often ask Rin about overseas health insurance, how to buy travel insurance for trips abroad, and how to compare overseas travel insurance. Which one is good? Rin recommends MSIG insurance. Its parent company is in Japan, and they provide great care.

About MSIG

MSIG Asia Pte. Ltd. ("MSIG Asia") is based in Singapore. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance and a member of the MS&AD Insurance Group, which combines global and local corporate management. It oversees MSIG's affiliated companies across the ASEAN region, as well as Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand, providing general insurance services for more than 100 years. MSIG is a leading insurance brand in Asia, with diverse business channels and strong commercial partners to offer insurance solutions that meet the needs of both individual and commercial customers.

MSIG Insurance (Thailand) became a public limited company in October 2555 (Buddhist Era, equivalent to 2012 CE) and is a member of the MS&AD insurance group. With premiums growing steadily to more than three billion baht per year, the company has now operated in Thailand for more than 100 years."

MSIG Insurance aims to be a leading foreign general insurer in Thailand, offering a wide range of general insurance, such as motor insurance, property insurance, personal accident insurance, land, air and marine cargo insurance, third-party liability insurance and more. It has expertise in serving individual and corporate customers, both Thai and foreign, through diverse channels such as insurance brokers, insurance agents, partner banks, and customers who buy insurance directly from the company.

MSIG Insurance has its head office in Bangkok and 14 claims service centers across the country. The company is committed to continuously improving its services and products to better meet customers' needs.


Travel insurance claim process

1. Contact us when you need help abroad

1. Contact the MSIG Assist emergency service (24 hours). Tel: +66 2039 5704
2. MSIG Assist provides the following services:

Travel assistance services
* Information on visas and required vaccinations for countries worldwide
* Assistance in case of a lost passport
* Embassy information
* Information on weather conditions and exchange rates worldwide
* Emergency notification to your family in case of an emergency

Medical assistance services
* Guarantee of hospital medical expenses
* Information on standard medical facilities worldwide
* Emergency medical service for transferring patients when medically necessary
* Emergency medical service for transferring patients back to their home country
* Arrangements for returning remains or ashes to Thailand


2. Gather the documents needed for your claim

- Gather any additional documents the company requests for submitting your claim.

- For the additional documents needed for each type of coverage, see the details under each section below.

Documents required for a claim

Medical expenses, outpatient (OPD) or inpatient (IPD)
* The claim form specified by the company
* A medical report from the doctor, or the doctor's section of the overseas travel insurance claim form, fully and completely filled in as a medical certificate
* Original medical expense receipts
* A copy of the insured person's passport
* A copy of the bank book front page (if you would like the payment transferred to your account)
* Any other documents the company requests as necessary

Flight delay
* The claim form specified by the company
* A copy of the flight ticket and boarding pass
* A letter from the party responsible for the journey confirming the delay
* A copy of the insured person's passport
* A copy of the bank book front page (if you would like the payment transferred to your account)
* Any other documents the company requests as necessary

Missed connecting flight
* The claim form specified by the company
* A letter issued by the carrier confirming the missed connection and stating the cause
* A copy of the flight ticket and boarding pass
* A copy of the insured person's passport
* A copy of the bank book front page (if you would like the payment transferred to your account)
* Any other documents the company requests as necessary

Loss of or damage to luggage and/or personal belongings inside the luggage
* The claim form specified by the company
* A letter confirming the loss or damage (Property Irregularity Report) issued by the carrier, operator or hotel, giving details of the loss or damage, where the loss or damage occurred while the items were under the control of hotel staff or the carrier
* A police report or a daily log entry from the police officers of the area where the incident happened, in cases of theft with signs of forced entry into the hotel room where the insured person was registered as a guest, or where the insured person was held up, threatened or subjected to violence in order to steal the luggage and/or personal belongings inside the luggage and/or golf equipment
* Photos of the damage to the luggage and/or personal belongings inside the luggage
* Details of the lost or damaged luggage, such as brand, model, year of manufacture, year of purchase and price
* Documents confirming payment for the flight ticket or hotel accommodation (where the loss or damage was caused by the carrier or the hotel)
* A copy of the insured person's passport
* A copy of the bank book front page (if you would like the payment transferred to your account)
* Any other documents the company requests as necessary

Delayed luggage
* The claim form specified by the company
* A letter confirming the loss or damage (Property Irregularity Report) issued by the carrier
* A copy of the flight ticket and flight details
* A copy of the insured person's passport
* A copy of the bank book front page (if you would like the payment transferred to your account)
* Any other documents the company requests as necessary

Trip cancellation or postponement
* The claim form specified by the company
* Receipts from the tour company or airline, and for accommodation and meals, showing the amounts charged
* A medical certificate (in case of serious injury or severe illness of the insured person or a family member)
* A copy of the death certificate (in case of death of the insured person or a family member)
* A copy of the insured person's passport
* A copy of the bank book front page (if you would like the payment transferred to your account)
* Any other documents the company requests as necessary

Other cases
* The claim form specified by the company
* A copy of the flight ticket and boarding pass
* A copy of the insured person's passport or ID card
* A copy of the bank book front page (if you would like the payment transferred to your account)

If you have questions about any other additional documents while you are travelling abroad, contact MSIG Assist on 020395704


3. Fill in the form and send it to the company with your other documents

1. Fill in the form and send it with all the documents by post. You can fill in the form here: https://www.msig-thai.com/sites/msig_th/files/downloads/Travel%20Insurance%20Claim%20FormQP-AHC-001FM003.pdf

Accident and Health Claims Department

MSIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, 1908 MSIG Building, New Phetchaburi Road, Bang Kapi Subdistrict, Huai Khwang District, Bangkok 10310

2. Or you can scan the documents and send them by e-mail or fax, using the details below:
* E-mail: click here
* Fax: +66 2718 1502

Note: Please send the original documents if the company requests them for the claim assessment.


Claim assessment and payment procedure under the OIC announcement (effective from 4 September 2559 B.E. / 2016)

Once the company has received all documents complete and correct, the claim assessment takes no more than 30 days.

Claim payment is made within 15 days from the date the claimant accepts the company's offer.

If there is reasonable doubt that the claim under the insurance policy mentioned above is not covered by the terms of the policy, the time limits may be extended as necessary, but not beyond 90 days from the date the company received all the documents.

Note: The claim guidelines and procedures above are only general initial practices for the insured and the company. The company's assessment of a claim depends on the coverage conditions of each type of insurance policy, and the company may request additional information and/or other relevant documents if necessary, for the benefit of the claim assessment.



Contact
Emergency assistance while travelling?MSIG Assist (24 hours): 020395704
Report an accident?MSIG Claims Hotline (24 hours): 1259, press 2
Submit claim documents

(Please send the original documents if the company requests them for the claim assessment.)
Report an incident, 24 hours
1259

Emergency assistance abroad
020395704


Examples of MSIG travel insurance plans

Overseas travel insurance (Travel Easy)

The Travel Easy travel insurance plan protects you and your family 24 hours a day, worldwide, against unexpected events. Enjoy peace of mind and safety throughout your time abroad.

Key features

• Coverage 24 hours a day, worldwide, including injury, disability and death from accidents, as well as emergency evacuation expenses
• Medical expense coverage of up to 5,000,000 THB
• Premiums start at just 190 THB, with a sum insured of up to 1,500,000 million THB
• Travelling to the Schengen area? Premiums start at just 255 THB
• 100% refund if your visa application is refused

Coverage plan highlights

• Medical expense coverage for both accidents and illness, up to 5,000,000 THB
• Coverage for emergency medical evacuation or repatriation to Thailand, up to 2,000,000 THB
• In case of death from an accident, coverage for repatriation of remains, up to 2,000,000 THB
• You can claim trip cancellation or postponement expenses of up to 500,000 THB
• Flight delay: coverage of up to 35,000 THB
• Coverage for loss of or damage to luggage and/or personal belongings and/or golf equipment, up to 60,000 THB
• Delayed luggage: coverage of up to 35,000 THB

See the premiums here
https://www.msig-thai.com/th/personal-insurance/travel-easy-worldwide

See the annual premiums here
https://www.msig-thai.com/th/personal-insurance/travel-easy-worldwide


Underwriting conditions (read the full version here)
1. The applicant must be a resident of Thailand.
2. Single-trip plans cover ages 1-80 (full years); annual plans cover ages 15-65 (full years)?Annual plans cover trips of up to 120 days per trip, with an unlimited number of trips per year.
3. The applicant may hold only 1 policy of this type at any one time.
4. The applicant's trip must start in Thailand and end in Thailand only.
5. The applicant must be healthy and in good condition, with no physical disability of any part of the body.
6. The applicant agrees to and authorizes medical facilities, including hospitals and clinics, insurance company staff?or related organizations, to disclose information to MSIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited when information about the applicant is requested.


Key exclusions
1. The insured person commits suicide, attempts suicide or intentionally harms themselves.
2. Pre-existing conditions
3. The insured person is under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other illegal substances.
4. War, invasion, hostile acts of foreign enemies or war-like hostile acts, civil war, revolution, riots, strikes, disturbances or acts against the government, declaration of martial law, terrorism
5. While the insured person is working as a pilot, cabin crew member, soldier, police officer or volunteer, and is taking part in war operations or suppression operations
6. While the insured person is rock climbing that requires equipment, or climbing mountains at an altitude of not less than 3,000 metres above sea level
7. While the insured person is taking part in, training for or competing in professional sports
8. While the insured person is working in high-risk places, such as tall buildings, oil or natural gas drilling rigs, underground mines, or doing manual labor such as fishing, construction work, fruit picking or work with large machinery

This insurance policy does not cover people travelling to, or travelling within, the following countries:
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Cuba, Iraq, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Nepal (only for rock climbing or mountain climbing)

**Notes:

Item 5: Trip cancellation. If the insured person's trip is cancelled or postponed because of
1. Death, serious injury or severe illness of the insured person
2. Death, serious injury or severe illness of a family member
3. Damage to the insured person's home from fire, lightning, cooking gas explosion or natural disasters

Item 7: Flight delay. If the aircraft is delayed beyond its normal scheduled departure because of
1. Bad weather
2. Malfunction of the aircraft's flight equipment
3. A strike or protest by employees of a commercial airline or airport that makes travel impossible?the company will pay compensation in one of the following cases?7.1 If the airline does not announce a flight cancellation, or the airline arranges a replacement flight, payment is made for every 6 hours of delay?7.2 If the airline announces a flight cancellation and does not arrange a replacement flight after the aircraft is delayed for more than 6 hours, payment is made per incident

Item 8: Coverage is not more than 5,000 THB per item or pair, with a deductible of 1,000 THB??Item 13: Deductible of 1,000 THB??Item 18: Deductible of 2,000 THB??Item 21: Automatic extension of coverage. If the return trip is delayed because of unforeseeable events, meaning bad weather, natural disasters, aircraft engine failure or damage, a strike or other action by employees of a commercial airline or airport that makes travel impossible, the company will extend the period of insurance to cover the postponed period. However, coverage under items 7,9,11,12,15 is excluded.


Important things to know before buying travel insurance

1. Not all insurance plans offer the same coverage

Price is an important factor that travelers often use to decide which plan to choose, but the cheapest plan is not always the best. The coverage, exclusions and sum insured offered in each plan vary and differ. So study this information before you press the "Buy" button, to make sure you get a travel insurance plan that not only fits your budget but also gives coverage that matches the purpose of your trip.

Type of trip: If you are planning an adventurous trip, check your coverage plan first, because the coverage conditions of most travel insurance policies do not cover dangerous activities or risky sports, such as white-water rafting or mountain climbing. Make sure the activities you are going to do are not among the excluded activities.

Destination: Some plans do not cover travel to high-risk areas. So if this trip takes you to a country with a risk of terrorism or war, look for a plan that fully covers terrorism, including chemical, nuclear and biological threats.

Personal health: Some people suffer from common conditions such as asthma and leprosy, but did you know these conditions are among the exclusions of travel insurance policies? If you have a pre-existing condition that needs close medical care, check carefully whether your plan excludes your condition, so that you don't have to worry about unexpected extra costs or pay any expenses yourself while ill abroad.

Trip duration: If you plan a vacation with an indie, slow-life style, going whenever you like and coming back whenever you like, look for a travel insurance plan with no limit on travel days. For example, an annual travel insurance plan covers trips of up to 120 days per trip, with an unlimited number of trips per year.

2. The earlier, the better

Travel insurance may not be the first thing you think about, but unexpected events often happen before you leave for your trip abroad, and in some cases travel insurance gives coverage before departure. For this reason, you should buy travel insurance in advance if you can.

Flight delays, postponed trips and cancelled trips are normal events that can happen to any of us. Having travel insurance gives you confidence that the money you have already paid will be compensated, even if your holiday does not go as planned.

After you have planned and paid for everything, all that is left is to wait for the day of departure. Or even worse, you are already on your trip and only then decide to buy travel insurance. In fact, premiums are not expensive, and buying online is easy, convenient and quick. But if you buy after you have already left, you will not be covered for anything at all. So if you have the time, buy it beforehand for peace of mind.

3. Should you buy an annual or a single-trip travel insurance plan?

A single-trip travel insurance plan is suitable for short trips, such as festival holidays or annual leave. Or when there is a budget flight promotion, you may end up travelling more.

But if you travel more than 3 times a year, even if only for short weekend trips, for example to Singapore or Hong Kong, you may want to consider an annual travel insurance plan instead.

It is more convenient, because you don't have to worry about buying insurance and choosing a new plan every time. Most importantly, it can save you even more money.

4. Choose a reputable and trustworthy insurance company

Buying a plan from a reputable and trustworthy insurance company is just as important as choosing a travel insurance plan that suits your trip. Some people may think it doesn't matter and that any company will do, because travel insurance plans are all the same. But that is not true. When you have to make a claim and need advice or help from staff, you will be glad to deal with an insurance company that offers 24-hour assistance worldwide, gives timely help and coordination, and pays claims quickly without long delays. Wouldn't you agree?

5. Travel insurance is not the same as health insurance

Although travel insurance plans include medical treatment for accidents or illness, the coverage is not as comprehensive as health insurance. So you should make sure your health insurance plan covers expenses both in Thailand and abroad.

If you are looking for a plan that covers emergency medical evacuation and repatriation to Thailand, that is a good thing. In reality, evacuation costs from abroad can be very high, up to several hundred thousand baht, depending on how difficult it is to reach the place you are travelling to. So it is much better to look for an insurance plan that includes this coverage.

Buy insurance online here