Rented motorbikes top cause of Russian tourist injuries in Thailand, insurer says

Russians in Thailand are most often injured while riding rented motorbikes, according to Renaissance Insurance managing director Artem Iskra. He told RIA Novosti that anyone planning motorbike trips, mountain trekking or other active recreation should include active-recreation coverage in their policy, because skimping on that option often leads to refused compensation in costly cases.

Travellers should also consider country-specific risks, he said. In Asia, intestinal infections are common, so tourists are advised to drink bottled water, avoid random food outlets and be cautious with unfamiliar dishes, especially at street markets. For Nepal and other high-altitude countries, the insurer recommends accounting for altitude: trekking without proper fitness and acclimatization increases the risk of mountain sickness requiring emergency medical care.

Iskra cited common claim patterns: Thailand had high shares of injuries (43%) and gastroenteritis (19%); India led in gastrointestinal diseases (41%); Egypt in injuries (64%); and Serbia in skin diseases (67%). Russians holidaying in Georgia most often sought help for dental problems (26%), in Brazil for acute respiratory viral infections (35%), and in the UAE for injuries (39%) and colds (21%).