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Travel insurance for China

From boom to bamboo, Great Wall to the Gobi Desert. In such a diverse country, only one thing’s for sure; nothing’s for sure.

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Ni Hao! Whether you’re braving the crowds of Beijing, retracing the footsteps of nomads before you on the Silk Road, or hiking the Great Wall, China is as diverse as you’d expect a country of 1.4 billion people to be. 

Such uniqueness brings surprises – some amazing, others not so. This is where travel insurance comes in. World Nomads policies may help in the face of the unexpected, allowing you to explore China with the confidence of a support team behind you. 

What’s covered when traveling in China? 

All our plans offer cover (up to the benefit limits) for: 

Consider if you’ve selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. World Nomads has two levels of cover - the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan - that offer different benefits, limits and sub-limits so it’s best to compare them to see which one suits your travel needs. 

You can get a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy instantly online, even while traveling.

Five top things to be aware of when traveling in China

  1. Conquering the language barrier in a crisis

Emergencies abroad are stressful enough but try navigating any Chinese system when you don’t speak Mandarin, Cantonese or the local dialect… lucky you have travel insurance with World Nomads. 

In a medical emergency, you can contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team, who can direct you to nearby medical care, talk to doctors for you, and provide payments direct to providers if needed. They can also provide assistance with lost passports (what to do, embassy location), or provide assistance in case your checked-in bag ends up in Hunan instead of Hainan.

It’s worth knowing that while we can help with communication on the ground, you’ll need to translate paperwork into English when you lodge your claim.

  1. Going off the beaten track on an adventure? 

If you’re the kind of nomad that likes to see a country from all angles, including upside-down, underneath and above, you’ll love that our policies may cover more than 150 adventure activities, sports and experiences including:

Depending on your plans and Country of Residence, you may need to upgrade your policy to be covered for the activities you will be doing. If you’re unsure whether the activity you want to do is covered, just contact us.

Keep in mind that coverage for an activity may have specific requirements, and if you don’t comply with them, you may not be covered. For example, if you plan to drive you must be licensed for that type of vehicle both at home and in China, that means getting a Chinese driver’s license (always check if your international driving permit is recognized).

  1. Keep your gear safe 

In a country of 1.4 billion people, some places you go to are bound to be busy and crowded. Where there are crowds there are often pickpockets. With our travel insurance policies, you may be able to make a claim for replacement or reimbursement of stolen items, up to a per item and total maximum limit. 

When traveling in China, you must take reasonable care to protect your belongings, or they may not be covered if stolen. This includes carrying valuable items with you such as electronic devices, jewelry, cash, travel documents and credit cards, and never leaving them unsupervised. 

If your stuff is stolen, you must report any theft to the local authorities as soon as possible and obtain official documentation to support your claim.

Terms and conditions, limitations, and exclusions apply so be sure you check your policy wording.

  1. Medical emergencies in China

Your health and safety are a priority when you’re adventuring in a foreign country. Things like traffic accidents, bicycle crashes and food poisoning are all too common in China. That's why our plans cover emergency medical expenses if you fall ill, get into an accident or get hurt on your travels. 

China is a massive country, and once you leave the large cities access to medical care can pose a challenge. If your adventures take you into remote parts of China and you need emergency evacuation, our policies may also cover you. 

  1. Travel delays and cancellations 

China’s airports rank amongst the top ten in the world for flight cancellations and delays.

If your travel plans are affected by a delay or cancellation - our policies may help salvage pre-paid, non-refundable trip expenses that you’ve had to forfeit if a covered event disrupts your plans. 

Keep in mind to check your policy for any terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions you need to meet: your delay might need to be a certain number of hours or be caused by a covered reason.  

Note: all travel insurance plans are different, and cover will vary, depending on what's happened, your Country of Residence, the plan you choose and any optional extras or upgrades you add.

What’s not covered?

Our policies aren’t designed to cover everything and there are some things we just won’t cover. These include, but are not limited to: 

  • Any pre-existing medical conditions 
  • Any items lost, stolen or damaged that are unsupervised or unattended
  • If you travel against medical advice or neglect to adhere to government ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings issued prior to departure
  • Any adventure activities or sports that aren’t covered by our policies.
  • Any costs related to illegal activities or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Be sure to read your policy wording for all exclusions, and if you’re not sure whether something is covered, just ask us

Need some more travel inspiration for your Chinese odyssey?

Check out our handy travel guides and insider travel tips:

Travel insurance doesn't cover everything. All of the information we provide is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions outlined in the policy wording. Coverage may not be the same or available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. If you’re not sure if something is covered, get in touch.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you*

Trip Cancellation

Been working hard for your trip?

We'll work hard to protect it.

Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Expenses

Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest hospital is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Love photography, filming or sport?

Cover your bags, tech or gear.

Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Contact the team