Author Bowtie Team
Updated on 2025-06-10
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Heading to mainland China? Find out why you might need specialized travel insurance and how it differs from standard plans. Bowtie breaks it down and compares the top 5 options’ coverage and costs to help you choose wisely!
What is China Travel Insurance?
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.
Do You Need Travel Insurance for Trips to Mainland China?
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.
Comparison of China Travel Insurance Plans
Bowtie has compiled the coverage details and premium information for travel insurance options targeted at China or the Greater Bay Area, for your reference:
Coverage Amount Comparison
| 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 |
Coverage Regions and Premium Comparison
| 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) |
- * Different plans have varying coverage and policy terms; please refer to the latest announcements from the insurance company for details.
- * The premium information was last updated on September 6, 2024.
Things to Consider When Buying China Travel Insurance
Frequent Travellers to Mainland China Might Opt for an Annual Plan
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.
Watch Out for Hospital Deposit or Guarantee Coverage
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.
Compare with General Travel Insurance Options
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.
Why Get Health Insurance Alongside Travel Insurance?
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.
- * Different health insurance policies offer varying covered regions, so consumers should review the terms and conditions before purchasing and claiming.
Why is Bowtie Pink a Great Companion to Travel Insurance?
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:
- Available for individuals aged 15 days to 80 years
- Covers worldwide ^ regions
- Includes global emergency support services
- Full reimbursement 1 for any hospital, any surgery
- Annual limit up to HK$20,000,000 (reset annually)
- Premiums as low as HK$168 per month #
- ^ Excludes hospitals in the United States and China not on the specified list; psychiatric treatment is only available in Hong Kong.
- # Based on a 25-year-old non-smoker, insuring Bowtie Pink (Ward) with a deductible option of HK$80,000, the monthly premium is calculated.
- 1 Full compensation means there is no sub-limit for compensation items and applies only to specified coverage items. The payable compensation is subject to the remaining deductible (if applicable), annual coverage limit, lifetime coverage limit, and other restrictions including reasonable and customary charges, pre-existing conditions, specified hospital list in mainland China, and matters related to treatment in the United States. For detailed terms and conditions, product risks, and exclusions, please refer to the relevant product website and policy.
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