Travel Insurance China

We also offer a choice of single trip travel insurance and annual travel cover. Travelling to a country as far away as China means you could be gone for longer than usual. Our single trip policy offers cover for up to 365 days and is ideal for extended holidays, as well as gap year travel.

If you’re on a gap year and are planning to work or volunteer while you’re there, our China travel insurance will cover you to carry out some jobs, such as working in an office or as a waiter or waitress, but not manual work.

Our annual, or multi-trip, travel insurance, covers you for several separate trips each year, for up to 31 days per trip.

According to the Foreign Office, more than half a million British nationals visited mainland China in 2017. China has one of the lowest murder rates in the world – lower than the UK and America – and most visits are trouble-free.

However, the country’s strict laws and zero tolerance approach to, for example, drugs, means visitors need to take extra care regarding their behaviour.

What do I need to know before I go to China?

Coronavirus

At the time of writing (July 2020), the existing FCDO advice against non-essential international travel continues to apply for mainland China. Admiral Travel Insurance doesn’t cover you to travel where the FCDO has advised against ‘all travel’ or ‘all but essential travel’.

The Chinese authorities continue to impose various control and quarantine measures across the country, including restrictions on movement, reduced transport, entry and exit controls for towns and villages, and isolation requirements for travel between different parts of the country.

Check the FCDO’s travel advice for China for the most up-to-date information. 

China visa requirements

Before you arrive, you’ll need a visa. Anyone aged 14-70 needs to apply for their visa in person at a Visa Application Centre and provide biometric data (scanned fingerprints).

Foreign nationals over the age of 16 always need to carry their passport, while visitors need to register their place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau – the police authority – within 24 hours of arriving (this is often done for you depending on the hotel or hostel you choose to stay in but be sure to check).

Check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website for more information on China tourist visa requirements.

Best travel insurance for China

Having comprehensive travel insurance in place before you go is essential in covering you and your belongings against anything going wrong, such as:

• Theft or loss of your possessions
• Trip disruption
• Emergency medical treatment

It’s a good idea to carry with you the details of your insurance policy, including emergency phone numbers, and to leave copies with family or friends back home. If you’re taken ill in China, we have a multilingual, 24-hour emergency helpline for all policyholders to use.

China doesn’t recognise dual nationality, so if you have both British and Chinese nationality you may be treated as a Chinese citizen by the authorities even if you have a British passport, and the British Embassy may not be able to help in an emergency.

Healthcare in China

Healthcare in China can be very expensive and, if you’re unlucky enough to have a medical emergency, your travel insurance will prove invaluable. Hospitals in the major cities are excellent, with many English-speaking staff.

If you’re taken ill in a remote area, however, it’s likely you’ll need to be evacuated to better facilities, and the language barrier could prove challenging. In an emergency, dial 120 and ask for an ambulance.

China has high levels of air pollution in its cities and industrialised areas, which can aggravate conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Tap water is generally not safe to drink, so always buy bottled water.

Four to six weeks before you travel to China, visit your GP’s surgery to check if you need any vaccinations. You may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from or transiting through a country with a high risk of transmission, although this doesn’t apply if you’re only travelling in Hong Kong or Macao.

It’s recommended you have hepatitis A and B vaccinations, as well as ensuring your diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis injections are up to date (within the last 10 years).

Travelling in China

China offers the trip of a lifetime for tourists, whether you choose to visit its major cities or head further out to experience rural life.

You might think no holiday would be complete without walking along a section of the Great Wall, seeing the Army of Terracotta Warriors up close or visiting the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City in Beijing.

If hiking, mountain climbing and rafting are more your thing, head to one of China’s breath-taking national parks – there are more than 200 in total! Remember that, while our standard travel insurance covers many activities, you may need some add-on cover for extreme sports, such as bungee jumping.

With more than 1.3 billion people living in China, its urban areas are among the most crowded in the world, and the jostling crowds in cities can be overwhelming for some travellers.

You’ll find more space and peace the further you go into the countryside, whether visiting China’s rice field communities, canalside villages or sprawling lakes.

Bear in mind, however, that there’s often only a small police presence or none at all in rural areas, compared to the efficient policing in cities.

Take a look at our China travel guide for more tips.

What if I have a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition is a short or long term illness or injury you have or have had before you buy travel insurance. This includes having symptoms, tests, diagnosis or medical treatment for a condition.

You can declare your pre-existing conditions during the quote process to see if we can offer cover. If you’re unsure what needs to be declared or if you're unable to find your condition on the medical conditions list, please contact us on 0333 234 9913.

Your pre-existing conditions won’t be covered unless you’ve:

• Declared them all on your policy
• Received written confirmation that we’ll cover your medical condition
• Paid any additional premium in full

Policy terms and conditions apply. Please note, if you’ve had a positive diagnosis of Covid-19 and been prescribed medication, received treatment, or had a consultation with a doctor or hospital specialist for any medical condition in the past two years, this needs to be declared on your policy.

If you don’t tell us about your pre-existing conditions or give us incorrect information, your policy may be invalid, and we may refuse all or part of any claim you submit.

For a quote with us, click the green button above.

The MoneyHelper directory

If you require cover for more serious medical conditions, MoneyHelper may be able to help you find specialist travel insurance through their medical directory.

If you wish to get in touch with them you can call them on 0800 138 7777 or find them online. (Monday to Friday 8:00-18:00, closed on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.)