Expat Life Insurance in Thailand: What You Need to Know

Life has changed a lot since I moved to Thailand. I got married, became a dad, and entered a new phase of life, one that comes with greater responsibility.

And with that responsibility comes the big question: What would happen to my family if I suddenly passed away?

That’s when I started looking into life insurance for expats in Thailand, a topic that's surprisingly under-discussed, especially for those of us without access to high-end corporate advisors or wealth managers.

If you're living in Thailand and have a spouse, partner, or children who rely on you financially, this guide is for you.

At the end of this post, you’ll find details on how to contact my trusted life insurance advisor to get personalized quotes and advice tailored to your situation.

Why Expats in Thailand Should Consider Life Insurance

If you have financial dependents – whether that’s a partner, child, or elderly parent – life insurance is a key pillar of your financial planning. It’s not just about funeral costs. It’s about:

• Paying off mortgages or personal loans
• Providing income for your family
• Covering future expenses like school or university fees
• Even if you don’t have much saved, a small monthly premium can secure your loved ones’ future.

Not everyone needs life insurance.

If I was still living out of a rucksack, just me and my Mac going from country to country, I wouldn’t bother. And perhaps if I’d married the daughter of a billionaire, I wouldn’t either.

But if you’ve got a spouse or a child, or both, or even a long-term partner, for a small premium each month, you can ensure a pot of money is paid out upon your death to help your loved one(s) get by.

You should also consider that if you have a mortgage, or personal loan(s), these things will be paid from your estate (the assets you leave behind when you die).

This means that although you house, car and bank accounts might amount to a pretty net worth, these assets will have to pay off any money you owe when you die, which could leave your loved ones short of a bob or two.

A life insurance policy will enable you to stipulate what you want to be paid to your loved ones when you die, allowing you to account for things like the mortgage, money for your child’s university fees, and money for your partner to support the family.

To decide whether or not you need life insurance, ask yourself this simple question:

Are there people in my life I care about that will need financial support when I’m gone?

Key Questions Expats Ask About Life Insurance in Thailand

1. Can I Take Out Life Insurance from My Home Country?

In most cases, no. UK, US, and EU-based insurers won’t cover you while living permanently overseas. You’ll need a policy based in Thailand or the wider SE Asia region, but ideally from an international provider with a global presence.

2. Can I Trust Thai Insurance Companies?

Some local firms are decent, but many sell through commission-based reps, not licensed financial advisors. This means they often push expensive, unsuitable policies without proper guidance. I personally avoided local-only firms like AIA for this reason.

Also consider that you may not be able to transfer the Thai policy back home, should you return.

3. Will My Family Actually Receive the Payout?

It depends on how well the policy is set up and how reputable the provider is. This is why it’s essential to:

• Use an English-speaking, licensed financial advisor
• Choose a provider that operates in both Thailand and your home country
• Avoid vague, bundled policies (e.g., health + life)

The first step to ensuring that your policy is valid under all the conditions you expect it to be is to ensure you are properly advised. You need to make sure you discuss all the details and possibilities with an English-speaking advisor.

It’s absolutely pointless taking out a policy with a local company that you don’t fully understand and have potentially been poorly advised on.

Also consider that if, like mine, your partner is a non-native English speaker, you will want a policy with a reputable company that won’t become evasive in the event that you pass away.
By this I mean giving he/she the runaround over the money, passing her from rep to rep, branch to branch, and bamboozling her/him with hidden clauses that require a lawyer to decipher.

I don’t know about you, but should something happen to me, I want the process to be smooth and handled with sensitivity by a company who respects my wife’s position. I’ve read far too many horror stories about local companies to take any risks.

4. Types of Life Insurance Available

There are two main types:

• Term Life Insurance: Cheaper, fixed-term coverage (e.g., 10 or 20 years). No payout if you outlive the term.
• Whole Life Insurance: More expensive, but includes an investment component and pays out upon death, whenever that occurs (1).

You can also add options like critical illness, accident cover, or income protection.

5. Isn’t Life Insurance Covered Under Health Insurance?

Life insurance is not covered by health insurance. Health insurance pays your medical bills while you’re alive and doesn’t pay anything to your loved ones when you die.

You may also have heard the term ‘life assurance’. This is the same thing as life insurance, and the two terms are often used interchangeably.

Here’s a tip: Avoid taking out health insurance that offers combined life insurance cover. This is commonplace in Thailand with companies like AIA, which we’ll get onto in a minute or two.

Take out separate policies that allow for maximum flexibility and offer complete transparency.

6. What’s the Cost?

You can get decent coverage starting from around 3,000–4,000 Baht/month. Your premium will depend on:

• Age and health
• Smoking status
• Policy type and payout amount

Even on a teacher’s salary, there’s usually an affordable option.

The table below shows an example of what a policy might look like:

Use this as a starting point in your discussions with an advisor.

7. What Documents Do I Need?

Not many. Just:

• A completed application form
• Medical history (a basic questionnaire)
• Passport copy
• Proof of address

You might be asked to take a medical exam, but many policies don’t require it unless you're over a certain age or applying for a high payout.

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Combining policies: Avoid bundling life insurance into health insurance policies. Keep them separate.
• Buying from sales reps: Only deal with licensed financial advisors.
• Not involving your partner: If your spouse doesn’t speak English, make sure the provider has bilingual support.
• Where to Get Reliable Advice

Finding a trustworthy, qualified, English-speaking IFA (Independent Financial Advisor) was the hardest part for me.

9. Is expat life insurance in Thailand valid if I move to another country?

That depends on your policy. Some insurers offer regional or global coverage, which means your policy could remain active if you move elsewhere in Southeast Asia or even further afield. Others may limit coverage to Thailand only. It’s worth confirming this before you sign.

10. Can foreigners over 60 get life insurance in Thailand?

Yes, but it becomes more expensive. As you age, premiums rise and options narrow. That said, some providers offer term policies up to a certain age (like 70 or even 75), especially if you're in good health. The key is to shop around early before you're priced out.

11. Can I get expat life insurance in Thailand without a work permit?

Yes. You don’t need to be employed or have a work permit to take out life insurance in Thailand. Many policies are open to retirees, digital nomads, and dependents — as long as you're legally residing in the country with a visa and can provide basic documents like your passport and proof of address.

12. Is life insurance taxable in Thailand?

No, generally not. Payouts made to beneficiaries are usually not subject to Thai income tax. However, large sums could be subject to estate tax if you're considered a Thai tax resident and your estate exceeds certain thresholds. A good financial advisor can explain your specific situation.

13. What happens to my Thai life insurance if I cancel early?

If you cancel a term policy, you’ll usually get nothing back — you’re just ending the cover. But if you cancel a whole life policy, you may be entitled to a surrender value (a portion of the policy’s cash value). This varies depending on how long you’ve held the policy and the provider’s terms.

14. Can You Give Me Contact Details of Your IFA?

Yes, but please only contact his if you have a serious enquiry. I don't want him to be bombarded with questions with no serious intent of taking out a policy.

You can do one of two things:

1. Fill out this quote request form I set up using Google forms. This will be sent to him directly and then he'll get in touch with you: + Click here to access the form.
2. Contact me using this contact form and I’ll email you back with his details and CC you in (might take a couple of days).

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