What does a Life Insurance Policy cover in Thailand?
In Thailand, life insurance policies typically cover the insured person’s death, providing a lump sum payment (death benefit) to the designated beneficiaries. This payout can be used to cover funeral expenses, outstanding debts, and provide financial support to the deceased’s family. Life insurance policies in Thailand may also include additional benefits or riders, such as critical illness coverage, which pays out a benefit if the insured is diagnosed with a specified critical illness.
Moreover, some life insurance policies in Thailand may offer investment components, allowing policyholders to accumulate cash value over time. This cash value can be accessed or borrowed against during the policyholder’s lifetime, providing a degree of financial flexibility.
It’s important to carefully review the terms and conditions of a life insurance policy in Thailand, as coverage and benefits can vary among different insurance providers. Policyholders should be aware of exclusions, limitations, and any conditions that may affect the payout. Additionally, factors such as age, health status, and lifestyle can influence the cost and terms of life insurance policies in Thailand.
What to consider when deciding on your Life Insurance policy?
Life insurance aims to protect your family in the event of your demise. As a general rule, you should aim to have enough cover to pay all large debts and provide your family or other dependents with a lump sum that can be invested to earn an income to replace your lost earnings.
The policy may be arranged as:
- Death only
- Death & Disability.
For different periods:
- Term Life i.e. a policy for a shorter, renewable period of 1 year, 5 years, 10 years etc; or
- Whole of Life i.e. a single insured period of 25+ years or more, until the policyholder’s death.
The insured amount (Sum Insured) can be arranged two ways:
- Lump Sum payout only, or
- Lump Sum with a small investment return at a certain age if the policyholder lives longer (these policies are often known as ‘Savings Plans’. The investment return is often poor).
Other benefits may include an option for Accelerated pay-out which will pay the Death Benefit during the life of the insured if they are declared terminally ill.
Generally, the sum insured and premiums are adjusted each year in line with inflation to keep the policy value current at the time of any pay-out. The premium may be adjusted each year due to increasing age of the policyholder.
Depending on the insurer, Critical Illness Insurance or Income Protection Insurance, may also be available as part of the Life policy.
Critical Illness Insurance helps the insured focus on getting better by paying the costs arising from unexpected major illnesses and medical procedures and provides the money needed to make up for lost wages, lost work time, medical bills, travel and other necessary costs. It is normally paid as a lump sum amount and is also known as Dread Disease Insurance. Critical Illness insurance can help with the cost of experimental treatments that standard health insurance policies won’t pay for.
Income Protection Insurance (loss of income) pays a regular income if you suffer an illness or accidental injury and are unable to work leading to a loss of your usual earnings. For an employed person, the insured earnings are capped at 75% and defined as your annual gross salary including contractual bonuses before the deduction of income tax. Contractual bonuses mean bonuses that are paid to you that are part of your employment contract. This does not include any benefits in kind such as a car, living accommodation, or non contractual, discretionary bonuses, or over-time. Like Critical Illness insurance, it allows the insured to focus on getting better.
Thailand Insurance Services will provide you with the right Life Insurance from the leading insurance providers in Thailand for you and your family. We are the leading insurance broker in Thailand for Life Insurance coverage.