Whether you’re braving the crowds of Beijing or retracing the footsteps of nomads before you on the Silk Road, 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 a support team behind you.
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Conquering the language barrier in a crisis
Emergencies abroad are stressful enough, but try navigating the Chinese system when you don’t speak Mandarin, Cantonese or the local dialect… lucky you have travel insurance!
In a medical emergency, contact World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance team who can direct you to nearby appropriate care, talk to doctors, help out with admin and pay for expenses upfront if necessary. They can also help in other sticky situations, such as if your passport is lost or 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 make (or lodge) your claim.
Getting the right coverage for your adventure
If you’re the kind of nomad that likes to see a country from all angles, including upside-down, underneath and above, keep in mind that many adventure activities have travel insurance restrictions. You may need to compare activities coverage in World Nomads’ Standard and Explorer Plans before you buy, or add activities to your policy when you buy, depending on your country of residence.
Coverage for an activity may have special requirements too and if you don’t comply with them, your travel insurance may be void. 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 (International Driving Permits aren’t recognized).
You may also need cover upgrades, licenses and safety gear for activities such as riding e-bikes, scuba and hiking – check out your policy wording and contact customer service if you’re unsure what your cover includes.
It’s important to choose your level of coverage carefully when you buy as you can’t upgrade after the review or cooling-off period. Please also check your policy for activities we don’t cover and other exclusions, such as search and rescue.
Getting cozy with the locals
While diving into the crowd is part of the experience of traveling China, it’s worth brushing up on ways to protect yourself, your stuff and your insurance.
· Where there are crowds there are often pickpockets. You must take reasonable care to protect your belongings or they may not be covered if stolen. This includes carrying with you valuable items such as electronic devices, jewelry, cash, travel documents and credit cards and never leaving them unsupervised. You must also report any theft to the local authorities as soon as possible and retain documentation to support your claim.
· If a crowd suddenly becomes a riot, it may impact your cover. Contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team if you’re affected by civil unrest so they can establish your safety and advise on what to do.
· Traffic accidents are unfortunately too common in China, whether you’re driving, on a bicycle or on foot. If you’re involved in an accident, you’ll need written confirmation from the local authority to support any claim. Please also contact Emergency Assistance if you’re injured.
This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, customer service is here to help.
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