Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Traditional Travel Insurance is mostly divided by regions like “global” or “Asia”. In recent years, many insurance companies have launched travel insurance targeted at China or the Greater Bay Area, which can be collectively referred to as China Travel Insurance. The coverage of China Travel Insurance is similar to traditional travel insurance, covering aspects such as medical, accidents, trip delays/cancellations, personal baggage and property loss, third-party liability, and emergency assistance.
With post-pandemic border reopenings and the Hong Kong Vehicles Northbound policy, it’s become common for Hong Kong residents to head north for leisure on weekends. Beyond the Greater Bay Area, many people are venturing further into various cities across mainland China for sightseeing. When traveling abroad, it’s a habit to buy travel insurance before departure, but when the destination is mainland China, it might not cross our minds. Perhaps it’s because many Hong Kong people are familiar with the mainland (especially Guangdong), or sometimes it’s a trip back to their hometowns to visit family, so they overlook the risks involved.
In reality, traveling to mainland China comes with the same potential risks as international trips, such as traffic accidents, theft or damage to belongings, food or water-related illnesses, and other health issues. Therefore, whether it’s a short or long trip to China, it’s essential to purchase suitable travel insurance before you go to ensure adequate protection.
Bowtie has compiled the coverage details and premium information for travel insurance options targeted at China or the Greater Bay Area, for your reference:
China Travel Insurance | Highest Medical and Accident Coverage | Highest Trip Delay/Cancellation Coverage | Highest Personal Baggage Loss Coverage | Highest Personal Liability Coverage | Highest Car Rental Excess Coverage |
Avo China Travel Insurance Plus | Medical: $900,000 Accident: $300,000 | $30,000 | $12,000 | $500,000 | $5,000 |
BOC Insurance Greater Bay Area Travel Insurance Plan – Superior Plan | Medical: $300,000 Accident: $500,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $500,000 | Not applicable |
The Bank of East Asia GBA TravelChill Insurance 3-month plan | Medical: $150,000 Accident: $300,000 | Not applicable | Not applicable | $100,000 | Not applicable |
Blue Cross Insurance SmartGo GBA Travel Insurance | Medical: $150,000 Accident: $200,000 | Not applicable | Not applicable | $100,000 | Not applicable |
Hong Leong Insurance Travel Insurance Silver Plan | Medical: $300,000 Accident: $450,000 | $10,000 | $5,000 | $2,000,000 | $3,000 |
China Travel Insurance | Coverage Regions | Single Trip Premium (5-day trip) | Annual Premium |
Avo China Travel Insurance |
| $116 | $1,316 |
Bank of China Group Insurance Greater Bay Area Travel Insurance Plan |
| $106 | Not applicable |
East Asia Bank Insurance GBA TravelChill Insurance |
| $494 (Coverage period of 3 months, maximum 5 days per trip) | $838 (Annual plan) |
Blue Cross Insurance SmartGo GBA Travel Insurance |
| $45 (3-day trip) | Not applicable |
Hong Leong Insurance Travel Insurance Silver Plan |
| $184 | $2,000 (Global coverage) |
If you’re not heading north frequently, you can simply go for a single-trip China travel insurance plan. But if you’re a regular visitor to Mainland China—for instance, every weekend or public holiday—you might want to consider an annual plan. This way, you won’t have to buy coverage each time you travel, and if you make enough trips (say, 12 times a year for Avo or 11 for FTLife), it could actually save you money on premiums.
However, even with an annual plan, it doesn’t mean you’re covered 365 days a year. Insurance companies typically set a maximum trip duration per outing (usually around 90 days), so be sure to check with them before signing up.
Hospital stays in Mainland China often require a deposit or guarantee. If you want this covered, make sure your travel insurance policy includes it or comes with a related medical card. For example, plans from BOC Group Insurance, East Asia Bank Insurance, and Blue Cross all offer deposit/guarantee coverage, with limits ranging from HK$40,000 to HK$50,000.
China or Greater Bay Area travel insurance is usually designed for shorter trips, so the coverage and limits are often more limited. If you want something more comprehensive or feel that standard China plans don’t quite fit, compare them with policies that cover “global” or “Asia” regions. As a frequent traveler, an annual plan with worldwide coverage could make things easier by letting you manage just one policy instead of multiple ones.
Overseas hospital stays and surgeries can be pricey, and if the costs exceed your travel insurance’s payout limits, you’ll have to cover the rest yourself. That’s where having a health insurance policy* can help pick up the tab and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Bowtie Pink VHIS Plan comes with plenty of perks, making it a solid health backup for travelers of all ages, whether you’re a kid or a senior:
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