Premium data as of 20 October 2026 · compiled by Prakanthai.com
Company group insurance is fine for ordinary doctor visits, but if you ever need major surgery or cancer treatment, the limit you have may not be enough. Buying a full-limit health policy means paying twice for the part that group insurance already covers.
Is there a way to get a large extra limit without paying the full premium?
What is a deductible in health insurance?
Short answer: A deductible is the first part of the treatment cost that the insured bears personally, or claims from group insurance, before the new policy starts to pay. For example, if you choose a THB 200,000 deductible and the treatment costs THB 350,000, this policy considers paying THB 150,000, in return for a much lower premium. In the AXA SmartCare Essential example, Plan 1 at age 26–30, the premium falls from THB 17,400 to THB 2,611 per year (data as at 20 Oct 2026). It suits people who already have one group or other health insurance policy.
The deductible in health insurance works on the same principle as in car insurance. Read the basics in Excess vs Deductible: what is the difference?
How much lower is the premium with a deductible?
An example from AXA SmartCare Essential. The discount depends on age and the deductible chosen, and applies to inpatient benefits only.
| Age band (years) | Deductible THB 20,000 / 40,000 | Deductible THB 100,000 / 200,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–40 | Discount 45% / 55% | Discount 75% / 85% |
| 41–60 | Discount 30% / 40% | Discount 65% / 75% |
| 61 and over | Discount 10% / 15% | Discount 30% / 35% |
Annual premium, Plan 1 (limit THB 1 million per illness), age 31–35, including stamp duty. Data as of 20 October 2026
| Deductible chosen | Starting premium per year | Difference from no deductible |
|---|---|---|
| No deductible | THB 18,585 | – |
| THB 20,000 | THB 10,222 | THB 8,363 cheaper |
| THB 40,000 | THB 8,364 | THB 10,221 cheaper |
| THB 100,000 | THB 4,647 | THB 13,938 cheaper |
| THB 200,000 | THB 2,789 | THB 15,796 cheaper |
The actual premium depends on age, plan, additional cover and the insurer's underwriting decision.
How does the deductible work when you actually claim?
For each hospital stay, AXA SmartCare Essential lets you choose one of two ways to claim
| Option | What you get | Deductible applied? |
|---|---|---|
| Claim treatment costs | Treatment costs above the deductible, within the plan limit | Applied |
| Receive the daily cash benefit | THB 2,000–3,500 per day depending on the plan, up to 31 days per year | Not applied |
A worked example to illustrate
You choose Plan 1 with a THB 200,000 deductible and stay in hospital for 4 days. Eligible treatment costs total THB 350,000.
- If group insurance pays THB 200,000, AXA considers paying the remaining THB 150,000, and the insured pays almost nothing themselves, provided the room charge does not exceed the sub-limit.
- If group insurance can pay only THB 120,000, AXA still pays only the part above THB 200,000, which is THB 150,000, and the insured pays the THB 80,000 difference themselves.
- If treatment costs are under THB 200,000, you can choose the daily cash benefit instead, for example 4 days × THB 2,000 = THB 8,000, with no deductible applied.
This example is for illustration only. The amount actually paid depends on the insurer's claim assessment.
How much deductible should you choose?
A simple rule: choose a deductible no higher than what group insurance can actually pay for one hospital stay. If you choose too high, the gap in the middle becomes money you pay yourself.
- If group insurance has a low limit or you are not sure how much it pays, choose a deductible of THB 20,000–40,000.
- If group insurance has a high limit or you have another health policy, choose THB 100,000–200,000.
- If you are about to change jobs, resign or become a freelancer, group insurance disappears with your employee status, so consider a plan with no deductible or a low one.
What should you watch out for before buying a deductible plan?
- The deductible is applied per illness. If you are admitted for a new illness, the deductible starts counting again, but a repeat stay for the same illness within 90 days of the last discharge counts as one stay.
- The discount shrinks as you get older. Plan 1 with a THB 200,000 deductible costs THB 9,898 at age 56–60 but THB 32,267 at age 61–64.
- The deductible does not apply to OPD. If you add OPD, you claim OPD up to the limit you bought, with no deductible applied.
- The usual waiting periods and exclusions still apply. Illness in the first 30 days is not covered (except accidents), some conditions have a 120-day waiting period, and pre-existing conditions are not covered.
If you want an inpatient limit with no deductible and a simple structure, see Bangkok Insurance inpatient health insurance to compare.
Where can you buy a deductible health plan?
AXA SmartCare Essential from AXA Insurance lets you choose from 4 deductible levels (THB 20,000 / 40,000 / 100,000 / 200,000), with a limit of THB 1–10 million per illness. The Plan 1 premium with a THB 200,000 deductible starts at THB 2,447 per year (data as at 20 Oct 2026). See all the details at AXA SmartCare Essential health insurance.
Want to know what deductible suits your existing group insurance? Send a page summarising your group insurance benefits along with your date of birth, and our team will send back a quote comparing 2–3 levels within a business day. LINE Official: @prakanthai · Tel. +66 2 459 2223
Frequently asked questions
If you have no group insurance, can you still buy a deductible plan?
You can, but you pay the whole deductible yourself every time you are admitted to hospital. If you do not have savings set aside for this, a plan with no deductible is more suitable.
After claiming from group insurance, can you use the same documents to claim again?
Yes. If you need the original documents returned to claim with another insurer, state this on AXA's claim form.
If you are 61 or over and choose a deductible, is a health check really not required?
AXA requires applicants aged 61 or over to attach health check results, except those who choose the THB 200,000 deductible.
Notes
The premium information and conditions in this article are based on the product presentation and the health insurance premium calculator for SmartCare Essential from AXA Insurance Public Company Limited, checked on 20 October 2026. It is general information and not part of the insurance contract. Premiums and conditions may change as the insurer announces. Underwriting and claim payments are decided by the insurer. Prakanthai.com is a non-life insurance broker, not an insurer, licence no. 5104000004. Please read the policy and the quote in full before deciding.
