Travel Insurance for China
A guide for Americans heading to China
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel protection plans for your trip to China. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in China like hiking, biking and whitewater rafting.
- Plans for Americans include protection for medical emergencies, trip issues and lost luggage.
China is a big country. High-speed trains link major cities, but the pace slows down through smaller towns and rural regions. In Beijing, visit the vast courtyards of the Forbidden City, join the throng of daily life on Gui Street, trying street food as you wander, and hop a train to the Great Wall of China. Shanghai is all glass towers and neon-lit streets, but you can walk into the city’s colonial past along the Bund. It’s also worth traveling to see the underground army of Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, cruising between the limestone peaks of the Li River near Guilin, and a whole lot more. Wherever you’re headed, being prepared with travel insurance can make all the difference.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel protection coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to China. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available.* Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available.* Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
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Travel insurance for adventure activities in China
Getting your heart rate up in China is easy. Hike rugged sections of the Great Wall, where steep stone steps and uneven paths make it far more challenging than it looks. In Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, challenging trails wind between towering sandstone pillars and cliffside walkways add to the thrill. Further west, in Yunnan, take a multi-day trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest river canyons in the world (walk over the glass bridge if you dare), while in Sichuan, Mount Emei combines hiking with steep ascents and dramatic viewpoints (go in spring or autumn for the best weather). Winter brings skiing to resorts near Beijing and in the northeast around Harbin, while warmer months lend themselves to cycling through Yangshuo’s karst landscapes or rafting sections of the Yulong River.
Coverage for activities in China
Common insurance considerations for China
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get sick or have an accident that sends you to the hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel protection before you left home.
Fell down some steps at the Great Wall of China? Wiped out rafting the Yulong River and ended up in the hospital? Ate dodgy dumplings and got a bad bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away. All World Nomads plans include non-insurance services like portable health records. This enables medical staff to access your records 24/7. Having that information available may be critical if you experience an unexpected medical emergency while traveling.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel protection plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home. Change your mind about traveling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase the Cancel For Any Reason benefit within 7 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight) and remember to cancel no later than two days before your departure date. Additional cost, terms and conditions apply; not available to New York residents.
Emergency evacuation
If you get sick or injured and your condition is acute, severe, or life threatening and you’re far from suitable medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage may help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the maximum benefit amount, to get you to the closest suitable medical facility or to your primary residence for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies.
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having in China, things can happen that mean you have to finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get injured or sick while you're traveling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Tips we recommend for travelling to China
- Set up key apps before you arrive, including translation tools and mobile payment platforms like WeChat and Alipay, as cash is used less often in cities
- Download maps for offline use or use a VPN if needed, as some websites and apps are restricted
- Carry your passport with you, as ID checks are required for trains, hotels and some attractions
- Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases or have them saved on your phone – English isn’t widely spoken outside major tourist areas.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for China. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Americans need a visa to visit China?
Yes, Americans generally need a visa to visit China, however sometimes there are ‘visa-free periods’. You’ll need to apply in advance, and requirements can change, so check the latest information before you travel.
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Is China safe for travelers?
China is generally considered safe, with low levels of violent crime. Petty theft can occur in busy areas, so keep an eye on your belongings. You may want to consider travel insurance for unexpected situations.
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What is the best time to visit China?
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the most comfortable times to visit. Summers can be hot and humid, while winters are cold, especially in the north.
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Can I use Google, Instagram and other apps in China?
Many Western apps and websites are restricted in China. Travelers often use a VPN to access them, but regulations can change.
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What currency is used in China?
China uses the Chinese yuan (RMB). Mobile payments via apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely used, especially in cities.
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What is the best way to get around China?
High-speed trains are one of the easiest and fastest ways to travel between cities. Domestic flights are useful for longer distances.
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Can I drink tap water in China?
Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Stick to bottled or boiled water.
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Do I need travel insurance for China?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Benefits for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness. All World Nomads plans for US residents include insurance benefits and additional non-insurance services like access to pre-trip medical support. A telehealth consultation can help you with a customized medical plan based on your destination. This may help you prepare for health concerns before you go and the best ways to avoid travel-related illnesses.
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What if my bags are lost or stolen?
Travel insurance benefits for lost, damaged, destroyed, stolen or delayed bags are included in all World Nomads plans. Also, our non-insurance service included in every plan assists with tracking and delivering missing checked bags.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 844-207-1930 and we can assist you with your claim.
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How do I avoid getting sick in China?
Take sensible precautions with food and water (stick to bottled water) and check which vaccinations are recommended well in advance of your trip. All World Nomads plans for US residents include additional non-insurance services like access to pre-trip medical support. A telehealth consultation can help you with a customized medical plan based on your destination. This may help you prepare for health concerns before you go and the best ways to avoid things like altitude sickness, malaria, yellow fever and traveler’s diarrhea.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 non-insurance Emergency Assistance partners at Generali Global Assistance are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 (877) 289-0968 (toll-free from the Continental US); or
Phone: +1 (954) 334-8143 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
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What if my passport gets stolen in China?
World Nomads travel protection plans cover theft or damage of the following documents:
- Passports
- Driver’s licenses
- Birth certificates
- Travel visas
You can claim up to the maximum limit stated in the policy towards the replacement of your passport or one or more other travel documents mentioned above.
Need inspiration for your travels in China?
Not sure where your next adventure should take you? Take a look at these travel and safety ideas and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
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Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Standard Plan: $125,000
- Explorer Plan: $150,000
- Epic Plan: $250,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $400,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $700,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $3,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuations
- Bedside Companion Travel
- Emergency Medications
Protect Your Trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
- Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
- Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)
Protect Your Stuff
- Baggage Delay
- Passport and Visa Loss
- Lost or Stolen Bags
- Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
- Baggage Return After Evacuation
Non-Insurance Services
- Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
- Translators Available
- Pre-Departure Telehealth Services
- Portable Health Records
- Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.