China is safe and modern, so it’s tempting to skip travel insurance. Don’t. Public hospitals expect upfront payment, international clinics are expensive, and a single medical incident or cancelled flight can cost more than years of premiums. Here’s what to know.

Do you actually need it?

For most travellers, yes — and for a few reasons:

• Healthcare isn’t free for visitors. You pay for treatment, often before you’re seen, and international hospitals charge Western prices.
• Medical evacuation is costly. If you fall seriously ill somewhere remote, getting to a major hospital (or home) can run into tens of thousands.
• Trips get disrupted. Weather, illness, and missed connections happen — insurance covers the rebooking.

Some visa-free entry rules and tour bookings also recommend or expect proof of cover.

What to look for in a policy

• Medical cover of at least US$100,000, including hospital stays.
• Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation — this is the expensive part you can’t self-fund.
• Trip cancellation and interruption for flights and pre-paid bookings.
• Baggage and electronics cover — useful given how much you rely on your phone.
• Adventure activities if you plan hiking, skiing, or climbing (often excluded by default).
• 24/7 English-language assistance with a hotline you can call from China.

A few tips

• Buy before you travel — many policies must be purchased before you leave home.
• Keep digital and printed copies of your policy number and the assistance hotline.
• Save receipts for any treatment to claim later.
• Check exclusions for pre-existing conditions and declare them honestly.

Where to buy

Compare a few providers and pick one with strong medical and evacuation limits rather than the cheapest headline price. Many travel insurers let you buy online in minutes.

Allianz Global Assistance

Allianz Global Assistance (affiliate) is one of the most established names in travel insurance, and a solid default for a China trip. Worth knowing:

• Strong medical and emergency evacuation cover — exactly the part you can’t self-fund abroad.
• 24/7 multilingual assistance hotline you can call from China for help finding a hospital or arranging payment.
• Trip cancellation, interruption, and delay cover for flights and pre-paid bookings.
• Easy online quotes and claims, with annual multi-trip plans if you travel often.

As always, read the policy summary and confirm the medical and evacuation limits meet the US$100,000+ guideline above before you buy.

A good policy costs little and turns a potential disaster into a phone call. For a trip as far from home as China, it’s worth it.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.