Buying insurance does not establish that every activity or disruption is covered. Before departure, compare the travellers, dates, destinations and planned activities with the policy, then identify the contact procedure and evidence you would need. This guide does not recommend a product or determine whether a claim will be paid.
Ask about your actual trip
Give the insurer your dates, transit destinations, activities and any health information it requires you to declare. Request answers through its formal channels. UK government guidance highlights existing medical conditions, activities and destinations as matters to check. It is written for UK travellers and does not decide which products someone resident elsewhere can buy. UK government travel insurance guidance
“Does this cover China?” is only a starting question. If you plan skiing, hiking, a high-altitude visit or another specific activity, name the activity and location. Ask about the conditions rather than assuming a general travel policy includes it. Questions about medical suitability belong with a qualified healthcare professional; questions about cover belong with the insurer.
Questions worth recording
Question: Are all dates and transit locations included? / Keep the answer: Start and end times, and geographical scope
Question: What health information must I declare? / Keep the answer: Declaration outcome and any exclusions
Question: Are the planned activities included? / Keep the answer: Names, conditions, limits and any extra cover required
Question: Who do I contact if I need treatment? / Keep the answer: Assistance number, contact method and authorisation process
Question: Might I need to pay first? / Keep the answer: Payment, claim procedure and required documents
Question: What happens if the trip changes or is cancelled? / Keep the answer: Covered circumstances, excess and evidence requirements
Read the terms of credit-card insurance too. Holding the card does not by itself confirm that every companion or booking is covered. Ask the issuer or insurer about eligibility and any payment conditions.
In an emergency, seek help first
In China, call 110 for police, 119 for fire and 120 for medical emergencies. Give a clear location: a Chinese address, floor and nearby sign can be more useful than an English hotel name alone. Beijing's government lists these nationwide emergency numbers. They are not channels for routine booking complaints. Official emergency-number guidance
When it is safe to do so, notify your companion, insurance assistance service or actual travel provider. Do not delay urgent help while waiting for a claim decision. A travel adviser is not a substitute for medical or emergency services.
Keep a paper and phone contact card
Include your name, travelling companion's contact, current hotel's Chinese address, a reliable family contact, insurer, policy reference and overseas assistance method. Save your country's official embassy or consulate contact information. Keep sensitive documents separately and securely rather than displaying them on a luggage tag.
You can adapt this message to the actual situation:
We are at ___, address ___. The nearby sign says ___. We need help with ___. Our contact is ___ at ___.
我们在___，地址是___，附近标识是___。需要___帮助。可以联系___，号码___。
Discuss necessary medical information with your healthcare professional. A generic card cannot replace an individual medical plan.
Treat a lost passport differently from an ordinary service issue
If a passport is lost, contact local police and your country's embassy or consulate to establish reporting, replacement-document and subsequent immigration requirements. Procedures depend on the person and circumstances. Do not assume same-day replacement or buy inflexible onward travel before establishing what is possible.
For baggage, delays or disputed charges, preserve booking details, times, receipts and responses from the parties involved. Use the relevant airline, hotel, platform and insurance channels. Good records help establish events; they do not guarantee reimbursement.
Sources checked: 22 October 2026. Confirm individual policy, medical and document questions with the relevant insurer, professional or authority.
Editorial archive date: 2026-01-05. This guide was compiled later; use the source-check dates stated in the text.
