Author Bowtie Team
Updated on 2025-06-11
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
The Greater Bay Area is booming with economic growth, drawing many Hongkongers for travel, family visits, and business. Wondering what insurance to get? Bowtie breaks it down with smart, essential tips to keep you covered.
What is the Greater Bay Area (GBA)?
The Greater Bay Area is located at China’s southern gateway, covering the regions of Hong Kong, Macao , two special administrative regions, and Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing , nine cities in Guangdong Province, with a total area of about 56,000 square kilometers.
According to the latest data from the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Region governments, the Greater Bay Area’s total population exceeded 86 million in 2022, with a regional gross domestic product (GDP) surpassing 13 trillion RMB.
What Insurance Do You Need for Travel, Visiting, or Business in the GBA?
Travel Insurance
When traveling, visiting relatives, or working in the Greater Bay Area, a good travel insurance policy can provide essential coverage. The table below lists some Hong Kong-based travel insurance products tailored for the Greater Bay Area:
Bank of China Greater Bay Area Travel Insurance Plan
| Coverage | Premium and Discounts | Subscription Limits/Requirements | Subscription Method |
| Provides personal accident coverage, overseas medical expenses, and loss or damage to personal baggage or belongings, among others Personal accident: $500,000 (Superior Plan) – $150,000 (Standard Plan) Death benefit: $20,000 (Superior Plan) – $10,000 (Standard Plan) Medical and related expenses: $300,000 (Superior Plan) – $100,000 (Standard Plan) Personal baggage and items: $3,000 (Superior Plan) – $1,000 (Standard Plan) Travel documents and tickets: $2,000 (Superior Plan) – Not applicable (Standard Plan) Personal liability coverage: $500,000 (Superior Plan) – Not applicable (Standard Plan) Trip cancellation: $5,000 (Superior Plan) – $2,500 (Standard Plan) | $48 – $985 (Premium varies depending on the Standard Plan (1-5 days) or Superior Plan (up to 31 days), different coverage periods, and number of insured persons) | The policyholder must be 18 years or older Insured persons must be between 6 weeks and 80 years old The trip must depart from Hong Kong The destination must be in the Greater Bay Area (excluding Hong Kong) | Apply instantly via the bank’s mobile app or mobile banking |
Blue Cross SmartGo GBA Travel Insurance
| Coverage | Premium and Discounts | Subscription Limits/Requirements | Subscription Method |
| Provides personal accident coverage, overseas medical expenses, and loss or damage to personal baggage or belongings, among others Medical expense coverage: $150,000 Personal accident coverage: $200,000 Severe burn coverage: $30,000 Travel document loss coverage: $1,000 Personal liability coverage: $100,000 | $18-$104 (Premium varies depending on different coverage periods and number of insured persons) | The trip must depart from Hong Kong, with coverage only for journeys in the Greater Bay Area (excluding Hong Kong) The policy applies only to leisure or business trips (limited to administrative and clerical work) Individual applicants must be 18 years or older and hold a Hong Kong ID or passport; corporate applicants must hold a business registration certificate Insured persons must be 6 weeks or older and hold a Hong Kong ID or passport (children under 18 must have parental or legal guardian consent to be insured separately) | Apply through the company’s website or mobile app |
BEA GBA TravelChill Insurance
| Coverage | Premium and Discounts | Subscription Limits/Requirements | Subscription Method |
| Provides personal accident coverage, overseas medical expenses, and loss or damage to personal baggage or belongings, among others Medical expense coverage: $150,000 (1/3-month plan) – $200,000 (annual plan) Personal accident coverage: $300,000 Severe burn coverage: $300,000 Travel document loss coverage: $1,000 Personal liability coverage: $100,000 Food poisoning hospitalization cash allowance: $1,500 | $169-$1,928 (Premium varies depending on the plan (1-3 months), different coverage periods, and number of insured persons) | The trip must depart from Hong Kong, with coverage only for journeys in the Greater Bay Area (excluding Hong Kong) The policy applies only to leisure or business trips (limited to administrative and clerical work) Individual applicants must be 18 years or older and hold a Hong Kong ID or passport Insured persons must be 6 weeks or older and hold a Hong Kong ID or passport (children under 18 must have parental or legal guardian consent to be insured separately) | Apply through the bank’s insurance services website or online banking |
Avo Greater Bay Area Travel Insurance
| Coverage | Premium and Discounts | Subscription Limits/Requirements | Subscription Method |
| Provides personal accident coverage, overseas medical expenses, and loss or damage to personal baggage or belongings, among others Personal accident coverage: $150,000 (Lite) – $250,000 (Plus) Overseas medical expenses: $150,000 (Lite) – $250,000 (Plus) Loss or damage to personal baggage or belongings: Not covered (Lite) – $1,000 (Plus) Loss of deposit or trip cancellation fees: Not covered (Lite) – $5,000 (Plus) | $9.35-$11,186 (Premium varies depending on the plan (single trip/annual plan), different coverage periods, and number of insured persons) | Covered trips include general leisure travel or business (limited to clerical and administrative work) Maximum insured age is 80 years All trips must start and end in Hong Kong Applicants must be 18 years or older and hold a valid Hong Kong ID, and have obtained consent from other insured persons to submit accurate personal information for insurance purposes All insured persons must hold a valid Hong Kong ID | Apply through the company’s website |
VHIS
Besides travel insurance, a VHIS can provide actual reimbursement for eligible medical expenses, giving you extra peace of mind when traveling, visiting relatives, or working in the Greater Bay Area.
Bowtie VHIS Standard ‘s coverage is global , so medical expenses in mainland China are also covered; if you purchase the Bowtie VHIS Flexi or Bowtie Pink , whether treatment in mainland China is covered depends on the policy’s coverage area restrictions.
If you purchase Bowtie VHIS Standard / Bowtie VHIS Flexi
Eligible medical expenses (excluding psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation treatment, and medical negligence coverage) for treatment in mainland China hospitals are covered.
If you purchase Bowtie Pink
Involving list of designated hospitals in mainland China outside of the list of designated hospitals in mainland China within premium hospitals or exceeding the specified ward level, the medical expenses will be compensated according to the ‘Standard Plan’ limits.
In other words, if you’re seeking treatment in mainland China and want full reimbursement # , you’ll need to choose a non-premium hospital from the list of designated hospitals in mainland China .
# Bowtie Pink VHIS series provides full reimbursement for eligible medical expenses such as diagnosis, hospitalization, surgery, and specified non-surgical cancer treatments (excluding the US), subject to annual and lifetime limits.
Life Insurance
If the insured unfortunately passes away while traveling, visiting relatives, or working in the Greater Bay Area, their valid life insurance policy will provide compensation to the designated beneficiaries.
If the insured unfortunately passes away in mainland China, will Bowtie Term Life provide coverage?
After successfully purchasing Bowtie Term Life , if the insured unfortunately passes away during the coverage period, Bowtie will provide compensation according to the coverage summary. The plan covers insured persons residing in Hong Kong, so if the insured temporarily travels to the Greater Bay Area or other provinces in mainland China for business or tourism, they are still covered.
All Bowtie policies will not be canceled due to changes in residence (except for sanctioned countries/regions). Bowtie also reminds insured persons to update their information with Bowtie promptly, including changes in residence. If the insured plans to permanently or long-term relocate to the Greater Bay Area, other provinces in mainland China, or abroad, they can contact Bowtie, and Bowtie will review each case individually; if the insured has already moved, they can contact Bowtie at any time for review.
For Bowtie Term Life , if the insured relocates to mainland China (excluding Tibet and Xinjiang), no additional premiums will be required.
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