Travel Insurance and Scooters in Thailand

Do not assume your travel insurance covers you on a scooter in Thailand. Most policies exclude it, partially or entirely. Here is what you actually need to know before you ride.

What to check before you ride

Policy question	Why it matters
Does my policy cover motorcycle riding in Thailand?	Most exclude it
Is there an engine size limit?	Many cap at 125cc or 150cc
Does it cover the bike I’m renting?	Medical cover and bike damage are different things
Do I need a motorcycle licence?	Riding without one voids most claims
Is an IDP required?	Usually tied to legal riding status
Is passenger injury covered?	Two-up riding adds complexity
What is the excess/deductible?	You pay the first portion of any claim
Does it cover a police report and legal fees?	Required if you are in an accident

The three layers of insurance in Thailand

Layer 1: Por Ror Bor — Compulsory Motor Insurance

Every registered vehicle in Thailand carries this by law. It covers the other party in an accident — not you.

What it covers	Amount
Medical expenses per injured person	Up to ฿80,000
Death or total permanent disability	฿500,000 per person

This is why a tourist who causes an accident in Thailand is still covered for the other party’s medical costs up to ฿80,000 — through the rental shop’s Por Ror Bor. It does not cover damage to the scooter you are riding, and it does not cover your own injuries.

Source: Motorist Thailand (motorist.co.th, accessed 2026-04-27); Roojai (roojai.com, accessed 2026-04-27)

Layer 2: Basic rental shop “insurance”

This is what most budget rental shops call “insurance included.” In practice:

• ✅ Covers damage you cause to other people or vehicles (third-party liability)
• ❌ Does not cover damage to the scooter you are riding
• ❌ Does not cover your medical bills
• ❌ Does not cover your passenger’s injuries
• ❌ Does not cover theft

If you drop the bike and scratch the panel, you pay for it yourself. If you crash into someone, the basic policy covers the other party — not you.

Layer 3: Comprehensive rental insurance (e.g., Bikago)

Premium operators like Bikago offer a higher tier of coverage:

• ✅ Covers damage to the rental scooter — repair costs
• ✅ Covers theft
• ✅ Covers repatriation in serious accidents
• ❌ Excess applies — you pay the first portion

Operator model	Excess	Cash deposit
Bikago (Chiang Mai)	USD $95 per incident	None required

With Bikago’s model, the maximum you pay per incident is $95 — regardless of how much the repair actually costs. The insurer covers the rest. This is the clearest, most predictable model available at the Chiang Mai premium end of the market.

Source: Bikago Chiang Mai FAQ (bikago.com, accessed 2026-04-27)

What travel insurance actually covers

Short answer: very little for motorcycle riders in Thailand.

Most travel insurance policies sold internationally explicitly exclude motorcycle riding in Thailand. Many apply an engine size limit — typically 125cc or 150cc — and exclude anything above that. Since most Chiang Mai rentals (ADV 160, PCX 160, NMAX) are above 125cc, the majority of riders are uninsured under their travel policies.

Common exclusions:

• Riding without a valid motorcycle licence (IDP + home licence) voids the claim entirely
• Riding above the specified engine size void the claim
• “Adventure activities” or “motorsports” exclusions are often applied to any scooter over 125cc
• Most credit card rental cover programmes exclude Thailand entirely

What to do:

1. Read your policy’s “exclusions” section before you ride
2. Call your insurer if the wording is unclear — get a written confirmation of coverage
3. If your policy excludes motorcycles above 125cc, budget for comprehensive rental insurance instead
4. Do not rely on credit card rental cover — verify in writing that Thailand is covered

What to ask at the rental shop

Before signing anything, ask these questions directly:

1. What does your insurance actually cover?
2. What is the excess/deductible amount?
3. Is damage to the scooter itself covered?
4. Is my passenger covered?
5. Do I need to pay a deposit?
6. What happens if I cannot pay the excess at the time of return?
7. What documentation do I get?

If the staff cannot answer these questions clearly, walk away. A shop that cannot explain its insurance is a shop that will not help you when something goes wrong.

If you have an accident — what happens next

See the full guide: /riding-tips/scooter-accident-what-to-do-chiang-mai/

The short version for insurance purposes:

1. File a police report — required for any claim to be valid. Call 1155 (Tourist Police). Request 3–4 certified copies.
2. Photograph everything — damage to both bikes, the scene, number plates, your injuries
3. Contact your insurer — within 24 hours
4. Do not pay on the road — no matter how much pressure you face. Paying cash without a police report voids your claim.
5. Get a lawyer if anyone is injured — this is not optional if there are serious injuries

What if I cannot pay?

If you are at fault and have no comprehensive insurance, you are personally liable for the other party’s costs. These can escalate quickly:

• Minor scratches: ฿500–3,000 (shop quotes vs actual repair ฿800–1,300)
• Panel damage: ฿2,000–10,000
• Serious injury: uncapped — Por Ror Bor covers the first ฿80,000 of medical costs, you pay above that

The other party can pursue you through Thailand’s civil courts under Section 420 of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code. Thailand courts have awarded compensation to injured parties against foreigners who left the country without settling.

Sources

• Bikago Chiang Mai FAQ (bikago.com, accessed 2026-04-27)
• Motorist Thailand, “What is Compulsory Motor Insurance (Por Ror Bor)?” (motorist.co.th, accessed 2026-04-27)
• Roojai, “Compulsory Motor Insurance Thailand” (roojai.com, accessed 2026-04-27)
• Siam Legal International, “Personal Injury Claims in Thailand” (siam-legal.com, accessed 2026-04-27)
• Thailand Civil and Commercial Code Sections 420, 437