Insurance for Cars and other vehicles

This article begins with the usual disclaimer that laws in Thailand can change on a day to day basis and like every thing else here, depends where you go, who you see and what day of the week. The information provided is based on a consensus of personal experience.

Windscreen Stickers (Tax and Government Insurance):

All cars must display two stickers on the windscreen, the first is the annual compulsory government insurance sticker (top), this is the minimum requirement insurance and covers basic medical expenses for injured parties, the government insurance sticker is approximately 900 Baht per year.

The other sticker is your annual tax sticker (bottom). The price of your annual tax is based on engine size, but is usually no more than 2,000 Baht for an average 1.6L-2.2L car, 3.0L-4.0L engines can be
higher at around 5-6,000 Baht per year. All cars we sell come with valid tax and government insurance stickers usually for at least 6 months. We also offer a renewal service when the time arises.

The local police will be looking out for these stickers at expressway toll booths and stops on the highways of Thailand so keep them up to date to avoid possible fines.

Comprehensive Insurance:

Expat Motors work with several insurance companies to provide comprehensive coverage for all our clients. we work with either Liberty Insurance, Kunia Insurance or Viriyah Insurance. Policy costs
are usually calculated on the value of your car, and is usually around 4-5% of the approximate value of your car. The insurance we provide is fixed with the car so any driver can drive the vehicle with a valid driver's license and the owners permission, and make a claim if an accident occurs. Expat Motors provides full insurance with all the cars we sell as well as renewla services once the time arises. Contact us with any questions.

To make an insurance claim in Thailand, and drive legally you must possess either a valid Thai or international license. A driver's license is the only item Expat Motors can't assist you with except
giving advise on how to obtain a Thai license which is a simple process.

Cars with red plates:

Brand new vehicles come with red registration plates issued either by us or the main dealer where the car came from. A red plate is temporary until the car has been registered into your name. This
process can take from 2 weeks to 3 months (or more), depending on the source of the car. Once the car has been registered you will receive white permanent plates, your annual tax sticker, and the blue title
document in your name. Expat Motors supply new cars and handle all registration procedures into your name. There is no restriction driving a car in Thailand with red registration plates, but a few
spare hundred Baht notes come in handy every now and then to keep the local boys in brown happy!!!

Car insurance is mandatory. Expired car insurance entails a very large fine if the police catch you. Liability has no limit if you're in an accident without car insurance.

There are car insurance vendors all over, including on the side of the road under a tent. It's suggested you bring along an educated Thai person to judge them.

A few of the private sector vendors have a deal with the government so that you can get your compulsory car insurance via mail. More information is on the web site of the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT), which oversees the Post and Telegraph Department (PTD), specifically at www.cat.or.th/new/agent.htm

If you have updated information or anything you would like to add to this article, please contact Cars4Thais.com and thanks for helping us provide the best information available on the web!