Premium data as of 20 October 2026 · compiled by Prakanthai.com
Your child starts nursery, catches a fever twice in one month, and the second time the doctor admits them to hospital. Many parents only start thinking about child health insurance at that point, and find that some insurers do not accept young children, or accept them but exclude the very illness the child has just had.
From what age can you buy child health insurance, how expensive is it, and when is the right time to do it?
From what age can you buy child health insurance?
Short answer: Some child health plans accept children from 15 days old, such as AXA SmartCare Essential from AXA Insurance, but a child under 18 must apply together with at least one parent on the same plan. Premiums for ages 0–5 are the highest in childhood: Plan 1 starts at THB 48,520 per year, ages 6–10 start at THB 24,965 and ages 11–15 at THB 16,310 (data as at 20 Oct 2026). The actual premium depends on age, plan and the additional cover chosen. Applying for several people at the same time earns a family discount of 5–10%.
Roughly how much is child health insurance?
Example annual premiums from AXA SmartCare Essential, inpatient plan only, including stamp duty. Data as of 20 October 2026
| Child's age band | Plan 1 / Plan 2 (limit THB 1 / 2 million per illness) | Adding OPD of THB 3,000 per visit, Plan 1 / Plan 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days–5 years | 48,520 / 57,610 | 70,450 / 79,540 |
| 6–10 years | 24,965 / 30,495 | 39,955 / 45,480 |
| 11–15 years | 16,310 / 19,940 | 28,415 / 32,045 |
Premiums for ages 0–5 are almost 3 times those of an adult aged 26–30 (Plan 1: THB 48,520 compared with THB 17,400), and fall by themselves as the child moves up an age band.
A worked example to illustrate
Father aged 35, mother aged 33 and a child aged 4, all on Plan 2
- Father 23,755 + mother 23,755 + child 57,610 = THB 105,120
- With 3 people you get a 5% family discount, leaving about THB 99,864 per year
- With a second child, making 4 people, the discount rises to 10%
This is an illustration only. The amount you actually pay is as shown on the quote.
How do you keep your child's health insurance premium from getting too heavy?
- Choose the plan by the room rate at the children's hospital you normally use. Plan 1 has a room rate of THB 3,000 per day and Plan 2 THB 5,000 per day. You do not have to choose the highest plan.
- Apply for the whole household together. You get a 5% discount when 2–3 people apply and 10% when 4 or more do.
- Consider a deductible if your child already has treatment cover elsewhere. For example, Plan 1 with a THB 20,000 deductible, ages 0–5, brings the premium down to THB 26,687.
- In a year with no claims you get a 5% discount at renewal.
What health histories lead to an application being declined?
AXA decides from the application form the parents fill in. There are 4 possible outcomes: accepted as standard, accepted with exclusions for specific conditions, accepted with exclusions and an adjusted premium, or declined. Examples that often involve children
| Your child's history | Outcome under the insurer's examples |
|---|---|
| RSV or HMPV, recovered less than 2 years ago | Not accepted |
| RSV or HMPV, recovered more than 2 years ago | Accepted, but respiratory diseases are excluded |
| Allergy or asthma | Accepted, but related conditions are excluded |
| G6PD enzyme deficiency | Accepted, with exclusions |
| Down syndrome, or a genetic disorder that causes physical abnormalities | Not accepted |
| Type 1 diabetes | Not accepted |
A simple rule: apply while your child has no history of treatment for a chronic illness, because there will be fewer exclusions, and answer every health question truthfully. If you conceal or misstate anything, the insurer has the right to rescind the contract under the law.
What documents do you need to apply for health insurance for your child?
- A copy of your child's birth certificate, signed by the guardian
- For a child under 1 year old, attach the discharge summary from the birth
- A copy of the ID card of the parent applying at the same time, signed as a true copy
- An application form with every health question answered for every person
What should parents check before buying?
- You cannot insure a child on their own. With AXA SmartCare Essential, at least one parent must apply for the same plan.
- 30-day waiting period: illness in the initial period after the policy takes effect cannot be claimed, except accidents.
- 120-day waiting period for some conditions, such as removal of the tonsils or adenoids, hernias of any kind, tumours and cysts.
- Rehabilitative physiotherapy after leaving hospital is not covered on any plan.
- The premium changes with age band. You can renew up to age 99, provided you renew continuously every year.
Read all the cover categories, the premiums for every age band and who this plan does not accept at AXA SmartCare Essential health insurance
Frequently asked questions
If the parents already have health insurance with another insurer, can the child still be insured with AXA?
The AXA SmartCare Essential plan requires at least one parent to apply for the same plan as the child. If the parents already have insurance, they can choose a plan with a deductible for themselves to keep the total premium down.
My child has just recovered from RSV. How long do I have to wait before applying?
Under AXA's example criteria, if the child recovered less than 2 years ago, the insurer does not accept the application. If it was more than 2 years ago, the child can be accepted but respiratory diseases are excluded. The actual outcome depends on the insurer's assessment.
Can a child aged 13 or over apply alone?
The Essential plan still requires applying together with a parent until the child is 18. AXA has other plans that accept children aged 13 and over applying alone, so ask our team to compare the conditions.
What do you need to send to find out the premium for the whole household?
Send everyone's date of birth, height and weight, and tell us your child's treatment history. Our team will send back a quote including the family discount within a business day. LINE Official: @prakanthai · Tel. +66 2 459 2223
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. The example outcomes are the insurer's guidelines, not the underwriting result for any individual case. It is general information and not part of the insurance contract. 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.
