You're deep into planning your trip to China and the question of insurance has finally come up. Do you need to purchase travel insurance for a stay in China?

While travel insurance isn't mandatory, a repatriation insurance will nonetheless be required for your Chinese visa. That said, investing in travel insurance before heading to China is undoubtedly a wise decision.

Far from me to worry you before departure, but you should know that zero risk doesn't exist, especially when you're far from the comfort of home. China isn't a dangerous country per se, but you need to be prepared for any eventuality. A car accident, a sprained ankle during a hike, food poisoning, or a mosquito bite that becomes infected are small dangers that can quickly cost you dearly.

Why Take Out Travel Insurance?

There are plenty of reasons to invest in travel insurance. As I mentioned, zero risk doesn't exist, so it's better to travel with peace of mind knowing you have insurance that covers both health issues and problems like theft or flight cancellations.

Depending on the travel insurance you choose, it may cover:

• Trip cancellation;
• Flight cancellation;
• Loss of baggage and personal belongings;
• Illness or injury during your stay in China;
• Issues related to natural disasters;
• Bankruptcy of your travel agency or airline;
• Terrorist events;
• Loss of vital medications;
• Accidents while practicing extreme sports, etc.

The list can grow and become more specific depending on insurance companies—it's up to you to carefully study all offerings to find one that matches your needs.

Many are reluctant to purchase insurance because of the extra cost it entails. Be aware that medical care in Chinese hospitals can be quite expensive. Between doctor's fees, nursing care, potential X-rays or blood tests, and medications, the bill can add up quickly. Local small hospitals are cheaper, you might say, but in case of serious problems, it's better to head to a private or international hospital to ensure prompt and proper care. Health is no laughing matter.

Which Insurance Should I Choose for My Trip to China?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question—the choice of insurance depends on each person's needs. There are indeed countless travel insurance options, whether for a round-the-world journey or family vacation.

Insurance Included with Your Bank Card

Bank cards typically come with insurance that covers you while traveling. Insurance generally covers only the first three months of travel if plane tickets were purchased with that same card.

Insurance included with bank cards varies depending on contracts signed with banks. In fact, for the same card, conditions can differ from one bank to another. Before leaving, check with your advisor to understand the coverage conditions of the insurance.

Travel Insurance Policies

Before requesting quotes for insurance, ensure that the selected companies will cover your trip to China. Some companies only cover travel within Europe or set conditions based on destinations, so don't waste your time.

I can't tell you which is the best insurance company, since it depends on each person's needs. However, it's always good to draw up a list of coverages you absolutely need in your insurance packages.

Insurance services should:

• Be valid in most of the world but especially in China for this case;
• Cover injuries and illnesses that occur during travel;
• Cover loss, damage, or theft of your personal belongings such as jewelry, luggage, electronic items, etc.;
• Cover cancellations of flights, hotels, trains, etc.;
• Include emergency repatriation in case of natural disaster, serious injury, or conflict in the visited country;
• Cover legal expenses;
• Protect you in case of airline or travel agency bankruptcy;
• Be available 24/7.

It's also very important to pay attention to what insurance does not cover so you fully understand the contract and aren't caught off guard if a problem occurs during your vacation.

In conclusion, taking out insurance for a trip to China isn't an obligation but is strongly recommended. Costs resulting from a loss, theft, cancelled flight, or health issue will be far greater than the price of insurance, so as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.