Travel Insurance Expert and Head of Communications
Last updatedDecember 22 2025
12 min read
Crammed with ancient wonders, China is a thrilling destination. Give your trip of a lifetime a policy to match, with the award-winning² travel insurance from InsureandGo. See the giant panda or sail down the Yangtze. Take our China travel insurance with you, whatever you’ve got planned.
What is China travel insurance, and do you need it?
A 5,000-year-old history. A population of 1.4 billion. A landscape spanning 3.7 million square miles. Its delectable cuisine. This vast and diverse country has so much to see and do, and over half a million Brits travel to China each year. This vast and diverse country has so much to see and do.
But travel mishaps can happen on your trip. With InsureandGo’s travel insurance to China, you’re covered for a range of unforeseen events, including:
Emergency medical costs: Walking the Great Wall of China? Unpredictable weather, steep slopes and overcrowding make accidents common. Healthcare in China is not free for British tourists. Unexpected medical emergencies, even minor ones, can quickly become expensive. Think it won’t happen to you? Medical costs top the Which? list of the most common travel insurance claims. If you need treatment after an accident, travel health insurance to China can help cover the cost. It can even pay for medical repatriation if you need to fly home.
Help when you need it:Water-borne illnesses are a significant health issue in China. Tap water in China is not safe to drink. If tummy troubles strike, language barriers can make finding emergency help more challenging. InsureandGo policyholders have access to our 24-hour medical team.
Cancellations: From private tours to hotel rooms fit for an emperor, trips to China can be expensive. China travel insurance with cancellation cover can pick up the bill. That’s if you have to cancel your trip for specific reasons.
Valuables: Had your wallet stolen in Tiananmen Square? The FCDO warns of scams and thefts at busy tourist sites. Travel insurance for China can help replace your possessions if they’re lost or stolen. If you’re taking anything particularly valuable, adding gadget cover gives extra protection.
Your itinerary:Cycle through stunning mountain scenery. Go bamboo rafting in Yangshuo. Our policies cover over 100 sports and activities as standard. Fancy trying some traditional Shaolin Kung Fu? We also have cover for more adventurous activities, like martial arts training.
Make sure the policy you’ve chosen covers you for all the activities you have planned. Our Policy Wording provides full terms and conditions of what is and isn’t included.
We will consider all pre-existing medical conditions. Find out more about medical travel insurance.
The excess and the amount of cover available will vary depending on the level of travel insurance you buy. Check the policy wording to see the full terms and conditions.
What’s not covered?
Each provider will have different things it can or cannot include in a policy. However, there are some situations in which travel insurance will not cover. For example:
You cannot cover events or reasons that took place before you booked the trip or purchased insurance. Insurance exists to cover unexpected events outside of the insured’s control
Claims which are less than the excess for that section of cover. For example, you cannot claim a £40 lost item if your baggage excess is £60
All our travel insurance policies include cover for cancellation of your trip. There may, however, be some exclusions. For example, you won’t be covered to cancel if you simply decide not to go
Admire the Army of Terracotta Warriors. Explore the Forbidden City. In China, epic adventures await. Flexible add-ons let you tailor your policy to your plans.
Sailing down the Yangtze River? Sounds ideal. Cruise holiday insurance can protect you against cruise-specific mishaps in China.
Taking the kids? They’ll love the Shanghai Disney Resort. It features Disney’s first Zootopia-themed area! Our family travel insurance covers everyone under one policy.
In Hong Kong for work? Add business cover to your travel insurance for China and Hong Kong. It can protect you and your laptop!
Make sure you read our Policy Wording for more information on what is included.
Black
Gold
Silver
Medical expenses and repatriation
Unlimited
£15 million
£10 Million
Cancellation and curtailment
£10,000
£7,500
£5,000
Travel delay
Up to £650
Up to £540
Up to £450
Personal belongings
£5,000
£2,500
£2,000
Legal Expenses
£60,000
£50,000
£15,000
Standard Excess
Nil
£50
£60
How to get travel insurance for China
China’s sheer size and diversity can be overwhelming. At least getting your travel insurance to China is easy!
Tell us about your trip
Let us know your travel dates and who you’ll be going with. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, now’s the time to let us know.
You can do this online now, or speak with our friendly team.
You can buy your travel insurance right away, or save the quote for later. The choice is yours!
Our experts say…
“Planning a trip to China can feel exciting and daunting in equal measure. Teeming crowds and language barriers can be challenging. China’s healthcare system operates differently from the UK. Medical costs can be high, especially in private hospitals. Travel insurance for China is a must for British tourists. It provides financial protection against unexpected medical emergencies. And knowing you’ve got access to a 24-hour medical assistance team lets you relax and enjoy your trip.”
“I have just purchased my travel insurance to China and found the whole experience very easy. The person I spoke to was polite, informative and helpful. They made the whole experience stress-free. The price was competitive and the policy gave me everything I needed. I’ll be using this company again!”
Travel insurance for China with pre-existing medical conditions
If you’re travelling to China with a pre-existing medical condition, insurance is a must. Pre-existing conditions are more common than you think. Even if you have a common condition like asthma, you’ll need travel insurance that covers it.
Air pollution causes two million deaths in China per year. If you have a respiratory or heart condition, you may wish to consult a medical practitioner before you travel.
At InsureandGo, we’ll consider all medical conditions. That includes COPD, heart conditions, and asthma.
You must declare all your pre-existing medical conditions when you buy your travel insurance to China. Otherwise, you won’t be covered if you have an emergency related to your condition while away.
If you need treatment when you’re in China, contact us as soon as you can.
Take prescription medication for your pre-existing condition? The FCDO advice is to bring enough with you to cover your trip. You should also check you’re allowed to bring it into the country. Certain sleeping pills, ADHD medication, and strong painkillers without a prescription are prohibited.
China Travel Insurance FAQs
Do I need travel insurance for China?
Travel insurance is not a compulsory requirement to visit China. But the FCDO states you need China travel insurance to protect you in case things don’t go to plan on your trip. Here’s what makes it a must:
Expensive healthcare:Medical care in China is generally good in major cities, but it comes at a cost. Treatment can be denied if you don’t have the means to pay a deposit. You could be expected to pay between £300 and £700 upfront. The language barrier may also be a problem. Some hospitals provide English-speaking staff for an extra fee. International hospitals or clinics provide higher-standard service.
High repatriation costs: Medical repatriation costs in China can be as high as £85,000.
Higher transport risks:China’s roads are more dangerous than the UK’s, due to high volumes of traffic and low driving standards. Recent figures show deaths per 100,000 inhabitants to be 17.4 in China and just 2.9 in the UK.
No one likes to think of the worst-case scenario. But securing the best travel insurance for China lets you relax and enjoy your adventure.
How much does travel insurance to China cost?
Several factors could impact how much you pay for your China travel insurance:
The length of your trip: Longer trips typically cost more to insure than shorter ones.
Your age: Generally, younger travellers will pay less for travel insurance.
Your health: Pre-existing health factors can increase your chance of needing repatriation, for example.
The level of cover you choose: At InsureandGo, we offer four levels of cover. With Budget, Silver, Gold and Black, we’re sure to have a policy to suit you.
Any policy add-ons you need: Our flexible policies give you additional cover if you need it. These optional add-ons can cover everything from gadgets to winter sports.
Travel insurance to China is more expensive than UK or European policies. In Europe, British citizens can apply for a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). In China, healthcare is not free and can be expensive. Repatriation costs are much higher.
But there are ways to make travel insurance to China more affordable. If you’re travelling with your partner, a couple’s travel policy can be cost-effective.
Planning many trips to Europe and one holiday to China? An annual European policy may be more affordable. You can then arrange a separate single trip policy for your visit to China.
Not sure? Call our team or get a quick and easy quote online now
Do I need travel insurance for a China visa?
No, you don’t need travel insurance to get a visa to China. But to enter the country, you do need the following:
A valid passport. It must have an expiry date at least six months after the date you arrive, and two blank pages for visas and stamping.
A visa. Those aged 14 to 70 must apply for a visa online and then go in person to get their fingerprints scanned. There are visa application centres in London, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh. If you’re aged 13 or under, or 71 or over, you do not have to attend in person.
You can complete the online application form on the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) website. It provides information on procedures, requirements, processing times, and fees.
Is healthcare in China free for visitors?
No, healthcare in China is not free for visitors. Foreign nationals are not eligible for the same healthcare benefits as Chinese citizens. You will need to pay out-of-pocket for any medical care you receive.
Travel health insurance for China is as essential as your passport. It will protect you from unexpected medical costs in the event of an illness or injury. It can also pay for medical repatriation if you need to fly home in an emergency.
But it’s not just for health emergencies. China travel insurance can cover other unexpected situations, including:
Personal accident and liability
Cancelling and cutting short your holiday
Abandoning your trip
Delayed departure
Accommodation cover
Personal belongings and baggage
Personal money, passport and travel documents
Legal expenses
Who can buy an InsureandGo China travel insurance policy?
All our China travel insurance policies are available to UK residents. This means:
Someone who has been living in the UK or the Channel Islands for at least six of the last 12 months
Travel Insurance Expert and Head of Communications
Letitia is a Travel Insurance expert with more than 20 years experience in helping people find specialist insurance. As Head of Communications at InsureandGo, Letitia cares about making it easy for people who love travel to get the cover they need.
* Discount based on the premium amount: 5% off premiums £0-£49, 10% off £50-£249, & 20% off £250+. Discount excludes any premium generated to cover medical conditions or optional extras. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Discount ends 23:59 on 29th January 2026. See Terms and Conditions for more details. All quotes from 19th December 2025 to 23.59 on 29th January 2026 will be included in the prize draw. Terms and Conditions apply.
Unlimited emergency medical expenses available on Black level policies.
Unlimited emergency medical expenses available on Black level policies.
Our winter sports add-on is available to those aged 65 and under.
Based on 1,692 responses, correct as of 24/07/2025.
