Insurance is what stands between a minor mishap and a major expense. In Thailand—where traffic is busy, roads can flood in rainy season, and motorbikes are everywhere—knowing your rental coverage is essential.
The building blocks of coverage
- Compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor): Government-mandated medical coverage for injuries/death from an accident. It does not cover vehicle damage (yours or third parties’ property).
- Third-Party Liability (TPL): Covers bodily injury/death and property damage you cause to others. Limits vary by policy; it doesn’t cover your rental car.
- First-class/Type 1 (often called CDW/LDW): Covers your rental vehicle for collision, theft, and usually fire, plus third-party liability. Typically includes an excess (deductible).
- Add-ons you may see:
- SCDW (Super CDW) to reduce excess to zero or near-zero
- TP (Theft Protection)
- PAI (Personal Accident Insurance) for driver/passengers
- Glass/Tire package and Roadside Assistance
What “full coverage” usually includes—and what it doesn’t
- Excess vs deposit: The excess is the maximum you pay if there’s a covered claim; the deposit is a refundable hold to secure that risk. They are not the same.
- Zero-excess packages often still exclude certain parts or situations (see below).
- Driver rules matter: Unnamed drivers, expired licenses, or no IDP (when required) can void coverage—even if you bought “full.”
Common exclusions and pitfalls
- Parts often excluded: Tires, rims, windshield/glass, mirrors, undercarriage, roof, interior, lost keys.
- Situations often excluded: DUI, reckless or off-road driving, water damage/hydrolock from driving through floods, using the wrong fuel, leaving the scene, late reporting to police/insurer.
- Geographic/use limits: Ferries/off‑road use may be restricted; confirm where you can drive and any curfews or parking rules with your rental.
- Admin and downtime fees: Even with coverage, you might pay claim administration, towing, or “loss of use” fees unless explicitly waived.
How to sanity-check your policy in 3 minutes
- What is my excess? Can I buy SCDW to reduce it?
- Are glass/tires/undercarriage included? If not, can I add a package?
- Who is allowed to drive? Add additional drivers to the contract.
- What to do in an accident? Save the hotline and know if a police report is required.
- License validity: Carry your national license plus an IDP (and the correct motorcycle category if riding).
This guide is general—always read the specific policy schedule and rental agreement.
Renting in Phuket? Check SunnyCars
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- Child safety seats available; we’ll help you choose the right coverage and reduce your excess.
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