Scooter and Motorcycle Insurance in Thailand: Complete Guide

Introduction

Thailand has one of the highest road fatality rates in the world, and motorcycles account for over 70% of road fatalities according to the World Health Organization. For anyone riding a scooter or motorcycle in the country, proper insurance is not optional. It is essential.

Yet many riders in Thailand are dangerously underinsured. Some carry only the compulsory minimum (80,000 THB maximum medical payout). Others ride rental scooters with no idea what covers them. And a large number ride without a valid motorcycle license, which means even the insurance they have will not pay out.

This guide covers what is legally required, what voluntary options exist, which insurers to consider, and the critical link between your license and your ability to claim. For comprehensive coverage beyond vehicle insurance, see our health insurance advisory service.

Compulsory Insurance: Por Ror Bor (พ.ร.บ.)

What Is Por Ror Bor?

Por Ror Bor (พ.ร.บ.), formally known as the Compulsory Motor Insurance Act (พระราชบัญญัติคุ้มครองผู้ประสบภัยจากรถ), is Thailand's mandatory vehicle insurance. Every registered motor vehicle in Thailand, from a 110cc scooter to a tour bus, must carry this insurance. It has been a legal requirement since 1992.

The purpose of Por Ror Bor is to guarantee that accident victims receive at least a basic level of medical coverage, regardless of fault. It is funded by vehicle owners and administered through the Road Accident Victims Protection Company under the supervision of the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC).

How Much Does It Cost?

Por Ror Bor is remarkably affordable. For motorcycles and scooters:

These premiums are standardized across all insurers. You pay the same amount regardless of which company issues the policy.

What Does Por Ror Bor Cover?

Por Ror Bor provides the following maximum payouts per accident:

Why Por Ror Bor Is Not Enough

Let us put these numbers in context. A single night in a private hospital ICU in Bangkok costs 30,000-80,000 THB. A broken femur requiring surgery can cost 200,000-500,000 THB. A serious head injury with neurosurgery can exceed 1,000,000 THB.

The maximum medical payout under Por Ror Bor is 80,000 THB. This is enough to cover a minor fracture or a few stitches. It is nowhere near enough for a serious accident, which is exactly the scenario where you need insurance most.

Furthermore, Por Ror Bor does not cover:

• Damage to your motorcycle
• Damage to third-party vehicles or property
• Loss or theft of your motorcycle
• Injuries to the rider who is at fault (only the victim is covered)

Por Ror Bor is the legal minimum. It is not adequate protection. Every rider in Thailand needs voluntary insurance on top of it.

Voluntary Motorcycle Insurance: Coverage Classes Explained

Thailand's voluntary motor insurance system is organized into classes, ranging from the most comprehensive (Class 1) to basic third-party liability (Class 3 and 3+). Here is what each class covers.

Class 1: Comprehensive Coverage

Class 1 is the most complete protection available. It covers damage to your own vehicle from any cause (collision, single-vehicle accident, vandalism), theft, fire, and third-party liability. It also includes personal accident coverage for the rider and passengers, and medical expense coverage.

Who should get Class 1? Owners of newer or higher-value motorcycles (big bikes, adventure bikes, or any motorcycle worth over 100,000 THB). The peace of mind of full comprehensive coverage justifies the premium.

Class 2: Fire and Theft Plus Third-Party

Class 2 covers third-party liability, fire, theft, and personal accident, but does not cover damage to your own vehicle from collisions or single-vehicle accidents. It is essentially Class 1 minus own-damage coverage.

Who should get Class 2? Riders who are less concerned about repairing their own bike (perhaps an older model) but want protection against theft, fire, and liability to others, plus personal injury coverage.

Class 3: Third-Party Only

Class 3 is pure third-party liability insurance. It covers damage and injury you cause to other people and their property. It does not cover your own vehicle, your own injuries, or theft.

Who should get Class 3? Budget-conscious riders of older, low-value scooters who want basic liability protection. However, the lack of personal injury coverage is a significant gap.

Class 3+: Third-Party Plus Limited Own-Vehicle

Class 3+ is a relatively recent addition to the Thai insurance market. It provides third-party liability coverage plus limited own-vehicle damage coverage, but only in collisions where the other vehicle is identified. If you have a single-vehicle accident (hitting a pothole, sliding on gravel, crashing into a wall), your own vehicle is not covered.

Who should get Class 3+? Riders of modest-value scooters who want slightly more protection than pure third-party coverage without paying for full comprehensive. It is the most popular choice for everyday scooter riders.

Which Insurance Class Should You Choose?

The right class depends on your bike's value, your budget, and your risk tolerance. For a new Honda PCX or Yamaha NMAX (80,000-120,000 THB), Class 1 is worth the investment. For a used Honda Wave or Click (20,000-40,000 THB), Class 3+ offers a reasonable balance. For a big bike over 400cc, Class 1 is strongly recommended due to high repair costs.

Regardless of which class you choose, always ensure you also have adequate health insurance. Even Class 1 vehicle insurance medical caps may not cover the full cost of serious injuries. A dedicated health insurance plan fills this gap.

Recommended Insurers for Motorcycle Insurance in Thailand

Not all Thai insurance companies are equally reliable when it comes to motorcycle claims. Based on reputation, claims processing speed, and network coverage, these are the most commonly recommended insurers for motorcycle and scooter insurance in Thailand.

Viriyah Insurance (วิริยะประกันภัย) is Thailand's largest non-life insurer by premium volume, known for its wide repair garage network and competitive motorcycle pricing. English support is limited outside Bangkok.

Bangkok Insurance (กรุงเทพประกันภัย), part of the Bangkok Bank group, has a reputation for reliable claims settlement and strong financial backing. Premiums can be slightly higher, but payout reliability is excellent.

Dhipaya Insurance (ทิพยประกันภัย) is a government-linked insurer offering competitive premiums and straightforward products. Claims processing can be slower than private-sector competitors.

You can purchase voluntary motorcycle insurance through insurance agents, company branches, motorcycle dealerships, or online platforms such as Roojai and Frank that offer English-language quotes and policy purchase with competitive rates from multiple underwriters.

The License-Insurance Connection: No License Means No Payout

This is the most critical point in this entire guide, and it cannot be stressed enough.

If you ride a motorcycle or scooter in Thailand without a valid motorcycle license, your insurance will not pay out. This applies to both compulsory Por Ror Bor insurance and all classes of voluntary insurance. It also applies to credit card travel insurance and most international travel insurance policies. For a detailed breakdown of credit card coverage limitations, see our guide on credit card travel insurance in Thailand.

What Counts as a Valid License?

To be considered validly licensed for insurance purposes in Thailand, you need one of the following:

1. A Thai motorcycle license (the gold standard, removes all ambiguity)
2. An International Driving Permit (IDP) with the motorcycle category, issued by a country that is a signatory to the Geneva or Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
3. A foreign motorcycle license from a country with a bilateral agreement with Thailand (limited applicability)

What Does NOT Count

• A car license (Thai or foreign) does not authorize you to ride a motorcycle
• An expired license of any kind
• A provisional or learner's permit
• No license at all

The Practical Consequences

Consider this scenario: you are riding a rented scooter in Chiang Mai, wearing a helmet, obeying traffic laws, and another vehicle runs a red light and hits you. You suffer a broken leg requiring surgery costing 300,000 THB. You have a Gold Visa card with 150,000 EUR in travel insurance. But you do not hold a motorcycle license.

Result: Your credit card insurer denies the claim. The rental scooter's Por Ror Bor insurance pays a maximum of 80,000 THB. You are personally liable for the remaining 220,000 THB (approximately 5,800 EUR), plus any ongoing rehabilitation costs.

This happens regularly to tourists in Thailand. The solution is straightforward: get a motorcycle license before you ride. Our guide on obtaining a motorcycle license in Thailand walks you through the process, which takes one day at a Thai Department of Land Transport office.

Helmet Laws and Insurance

Thailand's helmet law requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets. Riding without a helmet is not only a traffic offense (fine of 500 THB) but can also give insurers grounds to reduce or deny a claim, particularly for head injuries. Always wear a proper helmet, not a thin novelty helmet that provides no real protection.

Insurance for Rental Scooters: A Checklist

Millions of tourists rent scooters in Thailand every year, often with little understanding of what insurance coverage they have. If you are renting a scooter, go through this checklist before you ride.

Before You Rent

1. Verify you have a valid motorcycle license. Non-negotiable. Without one, no insurance will cover you.
2. Ask the rental shop about insurance. Specifically: "Does this scooter have Por Ror Bor? Voluntary insurance? What class?" Many shops carry only the compulsory minimum.
3. Inspect the insurance documents. The Por Ror Bor sticker should be on the bike and current. If the shop cannot produce valid documents, rent elsewhere.
4. Check your own travel insurance. Most travel and credit card insurance policies exclude motorcycles over 50cc.
5. Document the bike's condition. Take photos and video from all angles before riding away to avoid disputes over pre-existing damage.

Rental Insurance Coverage Checklist

What If the Rental Has No Voluntary Insurance?

Your options are: rent from a different shop with properly insured vehicles (recommended), purchase short-term motorcycle insurance yourself through an online platform, or accept the financial risk. Reputable rental companies in tourist areas increasingly offer Class 3+ or higher insurance as standard.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Thailand, the critical steps are: ensure safety, call 1669 (emergency) or 191 (police), do not admit fault, document everything with photos, file a police report, notify your insurer within 24 hours, and seek medical treatment even if injuries seem minor. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and immediate medical records are valuable for insurance claims.

For a detailed guide on navigating the aftermath of a road accident, including legal considerations and hospital procedures, see our article on road accidents in Thailand.

How Much Does a Motorcycle Accident Cost Without Insurance?

To understand why adequate insurance matters, consider representative costs at Thai private hospitals: minor abrasions and stitches run 5,000-15,000 THB, a simple fracture with casting costs 30,000-80,000 THB, complex fractures requiring surgery reach 150,000-400,000 THB, and traumatic brain injuries requiring neurosurgery can exceed 2,000,000 THB. Medical evacuation by air ambulance to a home country starts at 1,500,000 THB.

With Por Ror Bor paying a maximum of 80,000 THB, even a moderately serious fracture leaves you with hundreds of thousands of baht in out-of-pocket costs.

How Siam Visa Services Can Help

Motorcycle and scooter insurance involves navigating Thai regulations, understanding policy terms that may only be available in Thai, and ensuring your license status supports valid coverage. Our team can:

• Help you obtain a valid Thai motorcycle license
• Compare voluntary insurance quotes from multiple Thai insurers
• Ensure your vehicle registration and insurance are compliant
• Assist with insurance claims and hospital coordination after an accident
• Advise on the right combination of vehicle insurance and health insurance for full protection

Whether you own a motorcycle or are planning extended scooter use during your time in Thailand, having the right insurance in place before you ride is one of the most important decisions you can make.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I insure a motorcycle that is not registered in my name?

The motorcycle insurance policy is tied to the vehicle, not the owner. However, some insurers require the policyholder to be the registered owner. If you are riding a friend's motorcycle, their insurance covers the vehicle, but claims may require the registered owner's involvement. For rented motorcycles, the rental company should hold the insurance.

Does motorcycle insurance cover a passenger on the back?

Class 1 and Class 2 voluntary insurance typically include passenger coverage. Por Ror Bor compulsory insurance covers all accident victims, including passengers. However, coverage limits still apply. Ensure your passenger is wearing a helmet, as the absence of a helmet can affect the claim.

What happens if I have an accident with an uninsured Thai rider?

Unfortunately, this is common. If the other party is uninsured and at fault, your own voluntary insurance (if you have it) covers your vehicle damage and injuries. You can also pursue the other party through Thai civil courts, but recovery can be slow and uncertain. This is another reason why carrying your own comprehensive insurance is important.

Is motorcycle insurance more expensive for foreigners?

Thai insurance companies generally do not charge different rates based on nationality. Premiums are based on the motorcycle's make, model, engine size, age, and value, plus the rider's claims history. However, some insurers may apply a loading (surcharge) for riders without a Thai driving history.

Can I get motorcycle insurance for a big bike (over 400cc)?

Yes, all major Thai insurers offer coverage for large motorcycles. Premiums are higher due to the increased vehicle value and higher risk profile. Class 1 comprehensive coverage for a big bike can range from 25,000 to 60,000 THB per year depending on the make and model. Specialist big bike dealers often have partnerships with insurers and can arrange coverage at the point of sale.