PIAM: Cross-Border Insurance Vital Before Driving Into Thailand

Malaysians heading to southern Thailand by car are encouraged to review their insurance coverage, especially after recent floods in Hat Yai left hundreds of vehicles stuck and damaged.

According to the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM), drivers should check whether their motor policy includes coverage outside of Malaysia. Most standard comprehensive plans do not automatically protect motorists once they cross into Thailand.

To stay covered, policyholders can request Endorsement 101, which allows their insurance protection to extend into Thailand for short trips of up to a month. This includes coverage for vehicle damage and up to RM100,000 for third-party property loss.

PIAM CEO Chua Kim Soon said flood-related risks should also be considered, urging motorists to add Endorsement 57. This extension includes claims from natural disasters, such as flash floods — a risk highlighted by the sudden inundation in Hat Yai.

Both endorsements are described as relatively low-cost, at about 0.2% of a vehicle’s insured value, and can be arranged through agents or insurance providers.

Chua also reminded travellers that Thailand requires Compulsory Motor Insurance (CMI) for all foreign vehicles. CMI can be bought from Thai insurers at the border or online through a regional platform before entry.

He said many Malaysians affected by the Hat Yai floods are now facing difficulties retrieving their cars, as vehicles damaged abroad without the correct coverage are typically not eligible for claims. Owners may end up paying significant amounts to transport and repair the vehicles themselves.

For anyone whose car is caught in a flood, the advice is not to restart the engine. Instead, owners should document the condition with photos or videos and contact their insurer or the Digital Roadside Assistance (DRA) app for help with towing.

A police report in Thailand might be needed to support a claim, unless insurers relax the requirement due to a widespread disaster. Drivers will also have to submit their insurance documents, road tax information and any required customs forms. Claim progress can be monitored through the DRA app.

Malaysian insurers are now coordinating with Thai workshops, tow operators and local authorities to assist those affected. More than 500 Malaysian vehicles were reported stranded during the severe flooding, which followed days of heavy rainfall across Songkhla province.

Source: The STAR Pic: Jaya Saravanan