Should I purchase travel insurance in advance?

Strongly recommended. Regardless of the length of your trip or destination, purchasing travel insurance is an important measure to ensure your safety and financial security. Especially for foreign tourists, China’s medical system, language environment, and emergency handling may differ from those in your home country. Insurance can effectively mitigate the following risks: 1. Medical emergencies: Some remote areas in China may lack international-standard medical institutions, and emergency medical evacuation costs can be very high. 2. Itinerary changes: Flight delays, cancellations, or interruptions to your trip could result in additional expenses. 3. Loss of belongings: Lost luggage, theft, or replacing documents might affect your travel experience. 4. Legal liability: If you accidentally cause damage to someone else's property or personal injury, insurance can offer legal support.

Recommended Travel Insurance Coverage

When choosing insurance, make sure it covers the following key aspects and consider adding supplementary clauses based on your needs:

1. Medical coverage (highest priority)

• Hospitalization and outpatient fees: Covers treatment costs at public/private hospitals (recommended coverage amount not less than 500,000 RMB).
• Emergency medical evacuation: Includes helicopter rescue or international transfer to medical institutions in your home country.
• Dental emergencies: Such as urgent dental treatment caused by accidents.
• COVID-19 coverage: Some international tourists still need to pay attention to relevant terms.

2. Itinerary protection

• Trip cancellation/interruption: Due to illness, natural disasters, or political unrest leading to itinerary changes.
• Flight delays/cancellations: Typically requires a delay of more than 4 hours to claim compensation (recommended coverage amount covering daily accommodation and transportation costs).
• Luggage delays/losses: Compensation for necessary living supplies, recommended coverage amount not less than 5,000 RMB.

3. Personal belongings and liability

• Lost/stolen personal items: Including electronics, cash (note the upper limit for individual item compensation).
• Personal liability insurance: Compensation for accidental injuries or property damage to others (recommended coverage amount not less than 1,000,000 RMB).

4. High-risk activity add-on clauses (if applicable)

• If planning to participate in skiing, mountaineering, diving, etc., confirm if the insurance covers these related risks.

5. Other useful clauses

• Lost document assistance: Assistance in replacing passports or visas.
• Legal support: Provides emergency legal consultation or translation services.
• 24-hour multilingual customer service: Facilitates quick communication in emergencies.

Points to Consider When Choosing Insurance

1. Coverage area: Confirm that the insurance applies nationwide in China (some do not include special regions like Tibet).
2. Policy validity: Ensure the insurance start date covers your entire trip (including travel time from your departure country to China).
3. Deductibles and terms: Carefully read the exclusion clauses (accidents caused by intoxication, extreme sports, etc., may not be covered).
4. Direct payment hospital network: Prioritize insurance companies that cooperate with international hospitals in China (such as Beijing United Family Hospital, Shanghai Ruijin International Department) to avoid upfront payments.

Recommended Insurance Companies and Purchase Channels

1. International brands: Allianz, AXA, World Nomads (suitable for long-term travelers).
2. Local Chinese options: Ping An Insurance, China Life, purchasable directly through WeChat Mini Programs or Alipay.
3. Purchase channels:
4. Online platforms: Alipay (search "international travel insurance"), Ctrip Travel App.
5. Travel agencies or airlines: Some airlines offer optional insurance when purchasing tickets.

Special Tips

• Save electronic policy: Store the PDF version of the policy on your phone and print a paper backup.
• Emergency hotline: Record the global assistance hotline of the insurance company (e.g., AXA: +86 10 8532 9199).
• Visa requirements: Some types of Chinese visas may require proof of medical insurance, please confirm in advance.