Travel Insurance China

As one of the world's oldest civilisations and one of largest countries by land mass, it might seem a little overwhelming at where to begin with planning your holiday to China. With some of the most arresting natural wonders on the planet, China also bears a fascinating mix of historical and modern culture. It won't come as a shock to you that it's also the world's most populous country, so when you visit you'll be assured of a remarkable variety of different landscapes, people, food and activities. With Holiday Extras travel insurance for China you can choose a policy to fit your itinerary, which is perfect for a country of sprawling cities and beautiful scenery.

Do I need travel insurance for China?

It's an important question to ask. With an all-encompassing travel insurance policy to cover you against loss or theft of your belongings, protecting you against trip cancellation as well as repatriation, you can ensure that you won't be left to foot an expensive bill on your own. For any insurable, unforeseeable circumstances that could negatively affect your holiday, a Holiday Extras policy can give you that added peace of mind.

Although travel insurance is not a visa requirement for entry into China, it would be unwise to travel to the other side of the world without some form of protection should something unexpected happen. Knowing that you have a reliable travel insurance policy that can offer cover for emergency medical bills or a missed flight can do wonders for your peace of mind and take the worry out of any trip.

Levels of cover

	Bronze	Silver	Gold
Emergency medical and repatriation expenses	£5,000,000	£10,000,000	£15,000,000
Cancellation	£1,000*	£2,500*	£5,000*
Curtailment and loss of holiday	£1,000	£2,500	£5,000
Personal possessions	£500	£1,500	£2,000
Passport and other documents	£150	£250	£350
Personal money	£300	£500	£750
Baggage Delay (outward journey)	£100	£150	£300
Missed departure	£500	£500	£1,000
Missed connection	£500	£500	£1,000
Personal liability	£2,000,000	£2,000,000	£2,000,000
Legal costs and expenses	£25,000	£25,000	£25,000
Scheduled airline failure	£1,000	£2,500	£2,500
End supplier failure	X	£2,500	£2,500
Pet Care	X	X	£500

*Or as specified on your schedule

Medical insurance

For most people, one of the most important factors behind booking a travel insurance policy is the medical insurance provided. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), there are roughly 3,000 people a week who claim for some type of emergency medical treatment when on holiday abroad, levelling out at around £200 million paid out per year. We offer up to £10 million worth of medical care should you require treatment for declared medical conditions.

Before booking your policy, you will be presented with a discreet screening process to determine whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions. These will needed to be taken into account when creating the best insurance policy for you.

Get all of your vaccinations at least six to eight weeks in advance, as you'll need them to fully benefit from our medical cover. Consult your GP to determine which you will need. For the standard traveller, the recommended vaccinations for China include vaccines against Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus and Diphtheria.

Chinese tourist visa requirements

UK tourists need a visa when visiting mainland China, but for places like Hong Kong and Macau, this is not required. As a tourist, you will need to apply for the tourist L visa. In order to obtain a tourist L visa to mainland China, you will need:

A passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your visit to China
Have a least two blank visa pages
Complete the visa application form

Finger-printing

The Chinese government has recently introduced fingerprint scanning at all the major entry points to the country, and requires that all visitors between 14-70 years old, have their fingerprint scanned.

Registering with the Chinese authorities

All foreign visitors need to register their address with the Chinese authorities within the first 24 hours of their stay. If you are staying at a hotel, then usually the registry is completed for you. However, if you have arranged your own accommodation with a friend, relative or through third party bnb sites, then you may need to register the address yourself.

Currency in China

The official currency used in China is the Renminbi ('The People's Currency') also known as the Yuan and is currently among the top 5 most used currencies in the world. Chinese currency comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 yuan.

Exchanging currency at banks in major cities like Shanghai is generally not a good idea. The process is long and complicated - it can take up to an hour to complete all the paperwork and supply a photocopy of your passport. For the sake of your sanity, it's advised to just use an atm for cash withdrawals.

Using ATMS in China

This is the advised method of accessing currency in China, though you'll need to check with your bank for any extra charges for currency exchanges, foreign transactions and handling fees.

Slip into the Forbidden City and witness the best-preserved collection of imperial architecture in China.
Wind your way along the Great Wall, and take in spectacular views on your journey.
Explore The Bund in Shanghai, a waterfront area that exhibits an array of different architectural and artistic styles.
The Karst Mountains in the Guangxi Province are so impressive that you can see them on the 20 Renminbi note. You can get a great view from nearby Yangshuo town.
Visit adorable Giant Pandas in Chengdu of the Sichuan Province, where 85 percent of China's wild Giant Pandas reside.

Holiday Extras insurance

Medical Conditions

Holiday Extras Cover Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under registration number 828848, Holiday Extras Cover Ltd 05058680 is registered in England and Wales. Registered address, Ashford road, Newingreen, Kent CT21 4JF

Holiday Extras Cover Ltd is underwritten by White Horse Insurance Ireland dac is registered in Ireland No. 306045. White Horse Insurance Ireland dac’s Registered Office is First Floor, Rineanna House, Shannon Free Zone, Shannon, County Clare, Republic of Ireland. White Horse Insurance Ireland dac is authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Deemed authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. The nature and extent of consumer protections may differ from those for firms based in the UK. Details of the Temporary Permissions Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period while seeking full authorisation, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website, our FRN is 203320.

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