Compulsory vs Voluntary Car Insurance in Thailand Explained
- Published: 17 October 2026
- Category: Insurance guides
Compulsory vs Voluntary Car Insurance in Thailand Explained
Updated: 17 October 2026
Compiled by PrakanThai.com
A friend from abroad buys a used car in Thailand and hears two things on the same day: "it already has Por Ror Bor" and "have you bought insurance yet?" He asks the obvious question: aren't those the same thing, and why pay twice?
They are not the same, and plenty of Thai drivers mix them up too. This guide explains the whole system in one place, for both cars and motorbikes.
What is the difference between compulsory and voluntary insurance in Thailand?
Short answer: Compulsory motor insurance (CMI, known locally as "Por Ror Bor") is required by law for every vehicle. It pays only for injury and death of people hurt by vehicles, and never pays to repair anyone's car. Voluntary insurance, such as Class 1, 2+, 3+ and 3, is optional. It pays for damage to the other party's property and, depending on the class, repairs to your own vehicle, theft and fire. The simple rule: CMI looks after people; voluntary insurance looks after vehicles and liability beyond CMI.
What does CMI pay?
CMI is insurance under the Protection for Motor Vehicle Accident Victims Act B.E. 2535 (1992). It covers drivers, passengers and pedestrians injured or killed by a vehicle, under the conditions set by law.
| Case | Amount (THB per person) |
|---|---|
| Initial payment, injury | Up to 30,000 |
| Initial payment, loss of limbs, permanent disability or death | 35,000 |
| Injury, after liability is established | Up to 80,000 |
| Death or total permanent disability | 500,000 |
| Inpatient stay | 200 per day, up to 20 days |
CMI does not pay for repairs to your vehicle, repairs to the other party's vehicle or property, theft, fire or flood. Using a vehicle without CMI carries a fine of up to THB 10,000, and you cannot pay your annual vehicle tax without it.
What changed in the CMI rules on 1 September 2026?
Under Registrar's Order No. 17/2569, from 1 September 2026 a CMI policy can run for less than or more than 1 year, up to 2 years in total, with the premium charged by the day. The standard period is still 1 year, and the coverage limits have not changed.
If you use the CMI to renew your vehicle tax, the cover must run at least until the tax expiry date in the following year. More detail in New CMI rules from 1 September 2026.
How do Class 1, 2+, 3+ and 3 differ?
| Class | Repairs to your vehicle | Theft / fire |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Widest cover under the policy terms, including accidents with no other party | Covered |
| 2+ | Only collisions with an identified land vehicle | Covered |
| 3+ | Only collisions with an identified land vehicle | Not covered |
| 3 | Not covered; third parties only | Not covered |
Every class covers your liability for third-party injury and property up to the policy limits. Anything above what CMI pays comes from your voluntary insurance.
Worked example: you rear-end another car
Say a passenger in the other car needs THB 45,000 of treatment, the other car has THB 60,000 of damage, and your car has THB 40,000 of damage. You are at fault.
- CMI only: the passenger's treatment is claimed from CMI within its limits, but you pay for both cars yourself: 60,000 + 40,000 = THB 100,000
- CMI + Class 3: the insurer pays THB 60,000 for the other car within the limit, and you pay THB 40,000 for your own car
- CMI + 3+ or 2+: the insurer pays for the other car and repairs your car up to the sum insured, because you collided with an identified vehicle. You pay only any excess
This example is for illustration only. Actual payment depends on liability, the sum insured and the policy terms.
Can foreigners buy voluntary insurance?
Yes. Foreigners who own a vehicle can buy CMI and voluntary insurance just like Thai owners. The vehicle registration book is the main document. Choose the class by the age of the vehicle and how you use it:
- New or expensive car, driven daily: Class 1
- Older car: 2+, 3+ or a Class 1 plan for older cars, such as Class 1 for cars aged 6–12 years (City, Vios, Yaris)
- Car used for a few months, or waiting to be sold: 3+ insurance with 90-day or 180-day cover
- Motorbike: ERGO motorbike 3+
Does your driving licence affect a claim?
It affects repairs to your own vehicle. Under the standard policy terms, if the driver has never held a licence, holds the wrong class of licence, or has been disqualified, and is at fault, the insurer may refuse to pay for damage to the insured vehicle. Cover for the other party and CMI does not all disappear. If you drive on your home-country licence or an International Driving Permit, check with the Department of Land Transport that it is valid in Thailand for your visa status.
What do you need to send for a CMI and car insurance quote?
Just 2 things
- A photo of the first page of the vehicle registration book
- Your current CMI or policy page (if you have one)
We line up your CMI and vehicle tax dates and send a written quote within one working day, in English or Thai. If one plan is better value, we say so. If the conditions differ, we explain before you pay.
LINE Official: @prakanthai · Tel. +66 2 459 2223
Frequently asked questions
I have Class 1 insurance. Can I skip CMI?
No. Voluntary insurance can't replace CMI, and you need valid CMI to pay your vehicle tax.
I bought a used car. Is the existing CMI still valid?
CMI is tied to the vehicle, so it still covers the car until it expires. Check the expiry date before buying a new one, so you don't pay for overlapping cover.
Can I claim CMI if the accident was my fault?
Yes, for the initial payment from the CMI of the vehicle you were driving. A driver at fault receives no more than the initial payment.
Can a foreigner injured by a vehicle claim on CMI?
Yes. CMI covers people hurt by vehicles under the conditions set by law, and a passport can be used as proof of identity.
Does voluntary insurance cover flood damage?
It depends on the class and the plan. Many Class 1 plans list flood in their schedule of cover. 3+ and Class 3 do not cover flood damage to your own vehicle.
Who approves claims: Prakanthai or the insurer?
The insurer decides whether to accept the policy and pays claims. Prakanthai, as a broker, coordinates and follows up for you.
Note
This article is based on the Protection for Motor Vehicle Accident Victims Act B.E. 2535, the policy wording published by the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC), Registrar's Order No. 17/2569 and the standard motor policy terms, as at 17 October 2026. It is general information, not part of any insurance contract, and not legal advice. Acceptance and claims payment are decided by the insurer. Prakanthai.com is a non-life insurance broker, not an insurer, licence no. 5104000004, serving customers since 2004. Read the policy and the quote in full before you decide.