So let’s say that you’ve already decided on a policy to buy, but you are not sure about the AIA application process. Look no further and have a look below.
The AIA application process is quite straightforward, but there are definitely some important factors that you should be aware of.
I will explain step-by-step what happens at each phase of the policy application.
Meet and Apply with an AIA agent
Alright, so you’ve already been in contact with your AIA agent, and you want to take the first step in the application process.
While you might be used to buying insurance online, such as travel insurance (short-term), but for health insurance in Thailand (1 year and longer), AIA uses only agents.
Therefore, when you are ready to apply, you can arrange to meet your agent in person.
Where can you meet your agent? AIA offices are all over Thailand, but there are a few things that you should know.
- The very large AIA buildings found in the cities are usually only administrative offices, and you can’t find an agent or buy insurance there. AIA agents work at independent branches that you’ll find in the smaller offices or at home offices.
- Unfortunately, not all agents will be able to assist you because not every agent can speak English. Medical terminology can be difficult. So I advise that you call the agent that you are in contact with and judge yourself if you feel comfortable communicating.
- Meet your agent at a location that is convenient for you. This can be near your workplace or home, at a local café or mall.
Before your meeting, it is good to review the insurance brochure of the policy that you want to buy, so that during the meeting you are prepared to ask any additional questions.
During this meeting, the AIA agent will:
- Answer additional questions and discuss application questions.
- Explain policy coverage and policy exclusions.
- Submit your application.
Answer questions and discuss application questions
Now is your time to ask the agent about the AIA application process and about any other questions that you may have.
Health insurance in Thailand can be confusing, so feel free to take your time and ask as many questions as you want.
Your general health will also be discussed and noted in the application. It’s important to mention any
- pre-existing conditions,
- previous or current medical treatment,
- medication,
It is always good to be honest in the application because if the insurer finds out that there is a history of concealed treatment, the insurance provider has the right to cancel the insurance.
If the underwriter is AIA Thailand and the policy is canceled, they will refund you all the premiums paid so far.
Generally, you would not need to advance payment at a hospital. However, in special situations you may have to pay first if the insurance underwriter suspects that you are claiming for a condition, treatment, or disease that you didn’t previously disclose.
Generally, you would not need to advance payment at a hospital. However, in special situations you may have to pay first if the insurance underwriter suspects that you are claiming for a condition, treatment, or disease that you didn’t previously disclose.Explain AIA policy coverage and policy exclusions
Every insurance policy will have its own coverage and exclusions that need to be explained.
It is also good to learn more about how insurance policies in Thailand work by reading more about the AIA policy wording and benefits.
Policy coverage refers to the insurance policy benefit and the amount that is provided for the medical expense.
Policy exclusions, or partial exclusions, refer to the medical treatment that is not covered by the policy. All policies will have specific medical treatments that are completely excluded, such as pregnancy-related treatment, cosmetic surgery, and congenital abnormalities.
Submit your application
After you’ve made your decision about the policy that you want to purchase, you can submit your application with the AIA agent.
These days, all AIA insurance applications are done through software on a tablet.
So when you meet the agent, please bring all the required documents. Your documents will be scanned and submitted directly to AIA during the application.
Before the meeting, the agent will send you a list of all the required documents. There is no need to make photocopies.
This step should take around 15 to 20 minutes, but please prepare some additional time for questions and an explanation of the policy.
AIA Application sent to the approval department
If all the documents are in order, then your application will be sent and assessed by the AIA approval department.
From experience this step takes on average 2 to 3 days, however, every case is unique.
Whether you mentioned that you have pre-conditions or not will influence the time it takes for approval.
Applying with no pre-existing conditions or medical history
Pre-existing conditions can be a disease, illness, or condition (such as high blood pressure).
It can also be a previous treatment that you’ve received at a hospital for something that you no longer have.
If you have stated on the application form that you have no pre-existing conditions or previous medical history of concern, then the application can be approved very quickly.
Applying with pre-existing conditions or a history of treatment
Firstly, don’t stress if you have or have had a medical condition. Many people do.
If the application is not approved, then the AIA approval department will send a memo to the agent.
AIA Memo
The approval department may issue a memo during the AIA application process that states if there are any additional requirements needed in order to approve the application or whether the application is rejected.
If the applicant mentioned in the application that they have a pre-existing or current medical condition, it is likely that the insurer will request either the previous medical history and/or have a health check-up.
Submit previous medical history
If you have a previous medical history of treatment at a hospital in Thailand, the policy application department may request those documents.
This can be a hassle for you, but as an AIA agent, and with your authorized signature, I can help you apply for those medical records on your behalf.
If you don’t have a previous medical history in Thailand, but in your home country, it is more likely that AIA Thailand will request a health check-up instead.
Going for a health check-up
It is actually very common these days for the insurer to request a health check-up.
The most basic of health check-ups can include a blood pressure test and maybe a urine sample. This, along with your medical history may be enough.
However, some applicants have more serious diseases and may be requested to get other parts of their health tested.
Your AIA agent can help you find an approved clinic to get a health check-up at. Also if you are in Chiang Mai, I am more than happy to go with you to the clinic.
The AIA application is approved
Congratulations! Your AIA application is approved, and the agent will inform you of the effective date which is the starting date of your policy.
Usually the starting date for your policy will be the same day that it was approved, and is referred to as the effective date of the policy.
However, if there was previously a memo requesting additional documentation, then one of the situations below will occur.
Application approved as-is
If the approval department is satisfied with your medical history and/or health check-up, then it’s likely that your application will be approved as is.
This means that your insurance policy will have no additional requirements or exclusions.
Application approved with conditions
If the approval department is concerned about your medical history and/or health check-up, they are likely to approve the application with conditions such as:
- Exclude the pre-condition or policy benefit
- Increase the premium
- Or both
The applicant then has the choice of whether they would still like to purchase the insurance with these conditions or not.
The application is rejected
Sometimes a serious pre-existing or current condition will cause the application to be rejected.
However, sometimes AIA just has a small concern so they may recommend that the applicant reapply again after a few months.
But even if the application is rejected for one type of insurance policy, you can still apply for another. For example, if you are unable to get health insurance, it may still be possible to get an accident insurance policy.
Health insurance waiting period.
All health insurance policies in Thailand have a waiting period at the beginning of a new policy.
The waiting period is the period of time during which the policyholder cannot claim specific policy-related benefits. The main purpose of a waiting period is to prevent insurance fraud, where people try to claim for a pre-existing condition.
While waiting periods are common practice, please ask your agent to explain the waiting period for the policy that you want to purchase.
What can be claimed immediately?
The waiting period does not include accidents. So if you have an accident, don’t worry, you’re covered immediately after AIA Thailand has approved the health policy.
Any death benefits that are included in your insurance policy can also be claimed or paid to your beneficiary.
Waiting period for common illnesses
Common illnesses have a standard waiting period of 30 days (from the policy approval date) before the policy benefits can be claimed. Illnesses such as;
- flu/cold
- Diarrhea and stomach aches
- Headache
- etc
Waiting period for critical illnesses
Critical illnesses are more serious, and insurers are always wary of pre-existing conditions. Because of this, the waiting period for critical illnesses is usually around 90 days.
- Cancer
- Tumor
- Operation
- etc.
If you’d like to learn more about critical illness coverage, have a look at my article on AIA CI Supercare.
Other medical condition waiting periods
There are also certain medical conditions that require a 120 days waiting period. For example, all types of hernias, tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy, pterygium or cataracts, and endometriosis.
Please note that there may be other medical conditions not mentioned above that may also require a waiting period because every health insurance policy in Thailand is unique and is subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any additional questions that are not answered below, please send me a message.
How do hospitals know that I have insurance?
After your application is approved, you will automatically be added to the hospital database. All you have to do is show identification, such as your passport or Thai driver’s license.
Do I need to pay first at the hospital?
This will depend on two things, your policy and the hospital that you go to.
If your policy fully covers certain benefits, then in most situations you won’t have to pay first. However, there are many different costs involved when you go to a hospital so it’s never 100% certain.
Sometimes the insurer may require pre-authorization (for example, a day operation). In this case you have get pre-approval before you go for the operation.
The hospital you go to also affects whether you need to pay first. Some hospitals may charge a small amount extra for additional expense. You may have to pay for these additional charges first and claim it back later.
What is the policy book and when do I get it?
In Thailand, insurers issue an official policy book for legal purposes. Because it’s a legal document, it will be mostly in Thai. On average your agent will receive it after about 2 weeks, and then the agent will deliver it to you.
Customers who buy an AIA accident insurance policy don’t get a policy book, but just a few confirmation documents.
How do I pay for the insurance policy?
You can discuss this with your agent, but there are multiple methods to pay.
A popular way to do it is to wait for the applications department to approve the insurance, and then the AIA agent can generate a QR code for you to scan.
Can I pay monthly?
In Thailand, people generally like to pay annually to get a small discount, which is why the premium on the pricing tables is always shown as per year.
But yes, you can definitely pay monthly! Some people even like to pay every 6 months.
- Please note that if you want to pay monthly, the first payment must be for 2 months. The second month that you pay for will be credited to your account and used for your second month of payment.
- Your premium payment is always at the end of the month. The specific day may vary a bit with weekends and public holidays.
- Monthly payers must create a direct debit order / auto-deduct at their bank so that AIA can receive payment. This can easily be set up within 5 minutes with your banking app. Alternatively, ask your AIA agent to assist.
What happens if AIA tries to deduct the premium from my bank account and there is no money?
AIA will try to deduct the premium from your account again the following week. Please make sure you have money in the account to keep your policy going.
Don’t worry, you will still be covered during this period.
What are the terms and conditions?
The general policy Ts & Cs apply:
- The applicant has the duty to provide true information in applying for insurance.
- Any concealment of truth or declaration of false statements may cause the insurance company to cancel the insurance contract or refuse to pay the claims under the insurance contract.
- The applicant is advised to study and make thorough understanding about the benefit illustrations before making a decision to purchase the insurance. After receiving the policy, please study the details and the terms and conditions as specified in the policy contract.
- Terms and conditions of coverage will be specified in the policy issued to the policyholder.
In conclusion
I hope that you understand the AIA application process a bit better now. Insurance is a lot to take in, I know!
If you have any questions, just send me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon.
