Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-06-13
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Bowtie has curated the top travel insurance questions from LIHKG’s forum discussions, offering expert answers to help you travel smarter and safer.
Question 1: Which Travel Insurance is the Best?
A user posted asking Travel Insurance Which One is Good . Actually, like medical insurance and life insurance, there’s no one-size-fits-all best travel insurance—it’s all about whether the product suits you and if the premium is something you can comfortably afford.
When it comes to travel insurance, you can evaluate if the plan’s coverage for medical expenses, personal accident protection, trip delays or cancellations, and compensation for lost luggage or valuables meets your needs and provides sufficient limits for you and your family.
Keep in mind, the most premium plan isn’t always the best—higher-tier options come with higher costs, and if some coverages are things you’ll never use (like excessive compensation for personal property loss or high rental car excess if you’re not planning to drive), you’re just paying for extras you don’t need, which is a bit of a waste.
For a quick comparison of popular travel insurance plans out there, check out the comprehensive guide Bowtie put together Comprehensive Comparison .
Question 2: Can I Get Compensation If My Flight Is Canceled Due to a Storm?
A user shared that her flight was canceled because of a typhoon, and she couldn’t get a free cancellation on her pre-booked hotel, wondering if travel insurance would cover the costs. If she had bought a travel insurance plan with trip cancellation coverage beforehand, in cases of natural disasters forcing a trip cancellation , she could generally get reimbursed for non-refundable flight and hotel fees, up to the policy’s specified limits.
However, insurers will only pay out if the disaster wasn’t already happening or widely reported in the media before you bought the policy. If you purchase coverage after the event is known, it’s considered a “known risk” (often an exclusion in the policy), and the insurer can deny the claim.
Question 3: Which Annual Travel Insurance is the Best?
A user mentioned her current travel coverage isn’t enough and she has 7 or 8 trips planned in the coming months, asking which annual travel insurance pays out more smoothly. The truth is, as long as you meet the policy terms, any insurer has to pay according to the contract—if you’re in the right, they can’t refuse, and if they do without a good reason, you can complain to the Insurance Complaints Bureau or even take legal action.
To figure out which annual plan is best, look for the one that fits your budget and coverage needs. Bowtie previously compared several travel insurance products’ annual plans , which you can use as a reference.
Another thing to consider is whether an annual plan is really worth it for you. Bowtie did some quick calculations before and found that if most of your trips are short-haul (like a 5-day Japan trip), buying single-trip policies 7-8 times might not cost more than an annual plan. But if your trips are mostly longer (like a 14-day UK adventure), then an annual plan could be a smarter choice.
Question 4: Does Travel Insurance Cover Hot Air Balloon Activities?
A user is asking if any travel insurance covers hot air balloon activities during trips abroad. Activities like hot air ballooning, diving, skydiving, and skiing are often considered “high-risk” by insurers, and not all travel insurance policies cover them.
Taking hot air ballooning as an example, many travel insurance policies on the market do offer coverage, but they usually come with some key conditions. For instance, the activity must be operated by a destination’s tourism operator, be open to the general public and tourists without special restrictions, and be guided and supervised by qualified instructors or operators. Some policies also exclude coverage for “high-risk activities” for individuals under 19 or over 70 years old.
So, before purchasing, make sure to clearly understand your policy’s definition of “high-risk activities” and the related compensation conditions. If needed, don’t hesitate to ask your insurance intermediary or company for clarification.
Question 5: Which Travel Insurance Offers the Best Camera Coverage?
A user wants to know which insurance company’s travel insurance provides higher coverage for cameras. Based on Bowtie’s previous In-depth comparison , the total coverage for personal property loss in the six popular travel insurance plans on the market ranges from HK$18,000 to HK$25,000. Specifically, coverage for each camera and video equipment is between HK$2,000 and HK$8,000, which photography enthusiasts can review and compare.
Question 6: Can I Buy Travel Insurance When I am Already Abroad?
A user is living abroad and wants to visit family in Hong Kong, wondering whether to buy Hong Kong travel insurance or get it overseas. It’s smart to think about coverage, as even if you’ve moved abroad, you still need travel protection when returning to familiar Hong Kong.
Most travel insurance products available in Hong Kong are designed with Hong Kong as the starting and ending point, covering various risks in destinations outside Hong Kong. Only a few Hong Kong insurers offer policies specifically for visitors to Hong Kong, and their coverage and premiums are generally similar to standard travel insurance.
The simplest approach is for you to buy travel insurance through your local insurer, with Hong Kong as the destination. Compare the coverage and premiums of products from both places before making your decision.
If I Already Have Travel Insurance, Do I Still Need a Health Insurance as Backup?
Overseas hospitalization and surgery costs can be sky-high, and if these exceed the travel insurance compensation limit , you’ll have to foot the bill yourself. That’s where having a health insurance plan* comes in handy – it can help cover part of the medical expenses and reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
- * Different health insurance plans offer varying covered regions; consumers should review the terms and conditions before subscribing and claiming.
Why Is Bowtie Pink a Great Partner for Travel Insurance?
Bowtie Pink VHIS comes with plenty of appealing features, making it a solid health backup for kids or seniors who love to travel:
- Available for individuals aged 15 days to 80 years
- Worldwide ^ coverage applies
- 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$178 per month #
- ^ Excluding hospitals in the United States and China not on the specified list; psychiatric treatment is only covered in Hong Kong.
- # Based on the monthly premium for a 25-year-old non-smoker subscribing to Bowtie Pink (Ward) with a deductible option of HK$80,000.
- 1 Full compensation means there is no sub-limit for individual 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 product terms, conditions, product risks, and exclusions, please refer to the relevant product website and policy.
Sources
- 1 Which Travel Insurance is Best? | LIHKG
- 2 (Travel Insurance) Flight Cancelled Due to Storm | LIHKG
- 3 Which Annual Travel Insurance Do You Recommend? | LIHKG
- 4 Turkey Travel Insurance Advice | LIHKG
- 5 Which Travel Insurance for Travelers with Electronics? | LIHKG
- 6 Travel Insurance Questions, Please Advise | LIHKG
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