Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS) and Axa Insurance Plc have created what they term the country's first accident insurance protection for prepaid mobile customers free of charge.
Paris-based Axa is the insurer for the country's largest mobile operator.
Customers signing up for AIS's SIM Safe Save prepaid mobile system will get free accident insurance protection. They can make claims via a chat app on their phone.
Pratthana: Insuring low-income earners
Compensation for accidental death or disability will be 50,000 baht a case, while compensation payment for injuries will be 400 baht for a maximum seven days.
SIM Safe Save is available only to new prepaid users, and customers are required to refill call value up to 50 baht each month.
The insurance protection coverage covers customers aged 15–75.
"This development is aimed at building customer loyalty and differentiating our services," said Pratthana Leelapanang, AIS's executive vice-president for marketing.
He said the new service provided special privileges for both phone services and accident insurance protection.
Mr Pratthana estimates less than 5% of the existing 90 million mobile subscribers have insurance protection.
"We'll provide low-income earners with the opportunity to have insurance coverage," he said.
Some 1-2 million prepaid users now change their numbers frequently.
"This development is also part of AIS's policy of becoming a digital lifestyle service provider," Mr Pratthana said.
He said AIS would continue innovating and providing special privileges and incentives to its customers instead of competing with cheap tariff plans like before.
Axa chief executive Martin Ruegg said the development marked a new chapter in the local insurance industry, offering insurance and prepaid mobile services at no extra charge.
AIS shares (ADVANC) closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 234 baht, up two baht, in heavy trade worth 1.04 billion baht.