Insurance firms to compensate school bus blaze victims

Insurance companies, in collaboration with the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC), are set to provide compensation to the families of the deceased and injured following the school bus blaze tragedy. Each person affected is entitled to an initial compensation of 660,000 baht (US$19,940).

The devastating incident, which occurred on October 1, claimed the lives of 23 students and teachers from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani. They were on an educational trip to Nonthaburi. Additionally, five individuals sustained injuries.

In a statement, the OIC confirmed it has examined the insurance details related to the incident and is ensuring fair compensation for the families affected.

The OIC’s investigation revealed that the bus had compulsory motor insurance with Viriyah Insurance. The policy, which began on April 30 and ends on June 30, 2025, covers death or permanent disability at 500,000 baht (US$15,105) per person. For injuries, the maximum medical expenses are capped at 80,000 baht (US$2,420) per person.

For loss of organs, the compensation ranges from 200,000 to 500,000 baht (US$6,040 to 15,105) per person. Permanent disability is compensated at 300,000 baht (US$9,060) per person, while inpatient treatment at a hospital attracts daily compensation of 200 baht (US$6) for up to 20 days.

The bus also had voluntary motor insurance, type 3, with Mittare Insurance Plc. This one-year policy, which started on June 30, provides coverage for third-party damage to life, body, or health up to 500,000 baht (US$15,105) per person, with a maximum of 10 million baht (US$302,040) per incident. Property liability is covered up to 600,000 baht (US$18,120) per incident.

Bus fire

Legal heirs of the deceased will receive compensation from the compulsory motor insurance, averaging no more than 10 million baht (US$302,040) per incident. The voluntary motor insurance, type 3, also offers an average payment of no more than 10 million baht (US$302,040).

Additionally, Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam School had group accident insurance with Viriyah Insurance. This one-year policy, which started on May 15, covers death at 80,000 baht (US$2,420) per person and medical expenses at 8,000 baht (US$240) per person per incident, said the OIC.

“Most of the deceased were from Uthai Thani, so the OIC office in Pathum Thani coordinated with the Uthai Thani office to facilitate insurance compensation. The office coordinated with the insurance company.”

For those injured and hospitalised, the OIC has contacted the insurance company to provide initial compensation for medical expenses under the compulsory motor insurance act, amounting to 30,000 baht (US$905) per person.

The OIC added that the commission is also liaising with the Thai Life Assurance Association and the Thai General Insurance Association to determine if the victims or deceased had any additional insurance coverage, reported Bangkok Post.

“If the passengers have other insurance, they will receive all rights according to the insurance contracts.”