Finding You the Best Health Insurance in China
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When planning a long-awaited trip of your dream, it’s easy to get caught up in booking flights, choosing hotels, and mapping out your itinerary. But before you set off, there’s one essential detail that often gets overlooked: travel insurance coverage.
Unexpected sickness, flight delays, or accidents abroad can turn an exciting trip into an expensive nightmare. Understanding how your existing health insurance works overseas and when you might need additional protection can save you stress and financial strain down the road.
In this Pacific Prime guide, we’ll explain how travel insurance works, as well as what you should know before you pack your bags.
If you already have an International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) plan, you likely have access to healthcare in multiple countries. IPMI is designed for globally mobile individuals and families, offering comprehensive benefits such as:
Inpatient and outpatient treatment
Emergency evacuation and repatriation
Maternity and newborn care
Mental health support and counseling
Chronic condition management
This type of coverage typically applies during your holidays or business trips abroad, as long as your destination falls within your policy’s regional coverage area.
However, some plans exclude high-cost destinations (like the United States) or limit how long you’re covered outside your country of residence.
Pacific Prime Tip: Before traveling, confirm with your insurer that your policy covers the country you’re visiting and for the duration of your trip.
Even if you already have IPMI, there are situations where additional travel insurance is still necessary. That’s because IPMI focuses mainly on medical coverage, while travel insurance extends protection to other travel-related risks.
Here’s what travel insurance typically includes:
Trip cancellations or delays: Covers prepaid expenses if your trip is disrupted by unexpected illness, natural disasters, or travel interruptions.
Lost luggage or stolen items: Reimburses you for missing belongings.
Adventure or sports coverage: Ideal if you’re skiing, diving, or hiking in remote areas. These are extreme activities that IPMI may not cover.
24/7 travel assistance: Many travel insurers provide global helplines, language support, and emergency coordination.
For example, if your flight is cancelled or your baggage is lost en route to Bali, your IPMI won’t cover these financial losses, but your travel insurance might.
The smartest travellers combine both: IPMI for comprehensive medical protection and travel insurance for everything else that can go wrong while abroad.
Before your next trip, take a few minutes to review your insurance details. Ask yourself the following questions:
Does my IPMI plan include coverage in my travel destination?
Are emergency evacuation and repatriation included?
Is there a limit on how long I can stay outside my country of residence?
Are my pre-existing conditions covered while traveling?
What is the claims process if I need treatment abroad?
If you’re uncertain about any of these, Pacific Prime’s advisors can help review your current plan and identify any gaps. Our team specializes in comparing international and travel insurance options, making sure you’re protected wherever your journey takes you.
When it comes to travel insurance, there are a couple of myths can be misleading and costly:
“My credit card’s travel insurance is enough.”
→ Travel insurance policies that come with some credit card often have limited benefits and strict conditions on what’s covered.
“My company’s health plan covers me abroad.”
→ Many corporate group plans cover local medical needs only, leaving gaps while you’re out of the country.
“I’m only traveling for a few days. I don’t need insurance.”
→ Accidents and illnesses can happen anytime, even on a short trip.
By understanding what’s included and what isn’t, so you can make better decisions about your coverage and avoid unpleasant surprises.
One common question travelers have is whether their travel insurance covers pre-existing conditions. While many policies exclude treatment related to existing illnesses or chronic conditions, some insurers offer limited or optional coverage for stable, well-managed health issues.
If you have conditions such as asthma, hypertension, or diabetes, it’s crucial to disclose them when applying for travel insurance. Failing to do so could lead to denied claims later.
At Pacific Prime, we regularly help travelers compare plans that offer coverage for declared conditions or recommend policies with “pre-existing condition waivers.”
The typical requirements for pre-existing condition waivers include:
Buying the policy within a specified timeframe (e.g., within 14 days of the first payment towards your trip, such as hotel or flight bookings) so that pre-existing conditions can be covered
Being medically able to travel at the time of policy purchase. This means you are fit to travel on that date, not just expected to be in the future.
Insuring the full non-refundable trip cost from the date you purchase the plan (or adding additional expenses within a stated period) if you want coverage for cancellation due to an existing condition.
It’s important to note that standard exclusions still apply; even with the waiver, there may be sub-limits for claims arising from pre-existing conditions (for example, a lower maximum payout for trip cancellations caused by them).
It’s optimal to consult with our specialists for insurer-specific information and regulations, as these can vary between providers.
Pacific Prime Tip: Always request written confirmation from your insurer about how your pre-existing condition will be covered before you travel. Transparency at the start can save you significant trouble later.
Many travelers underestimate the importance of emergency evacuation and medical repatriation coverage. These benefits are vital if you fall seriously ill or suffer an injury in a region without suitable medical facilities.
Evacuation insurance covers the cost of transporting you to the nearest qualified hospital, sometimes even to another country, while repatriation ensures you can return home safely for continued treatment. Without this coverage, expenses can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
For example, a medical evacuation from China to the UK could easily exceed USD $50,000. That’s why ensuring your policy includes this protection is one of the smartest travel decisions you can make.
Pacific Prime works with insurers that offer global evacuation support, providing 24/7 coordination and real-time assistance in emergencies. With these benefits, travelers can rest assured that they’re never truly stranded abroad.
No two travelers are the same, and neither are their insurance needs. When selecting coverage, it’s worth thinking about the kind of traveler you are and how you typically explore the world.
Frequent Flyers: If you travel several times a year, an annual multi-trip plan may be more cost-effective and convenient than buying individual policies for every trip.
Adventure Seekers: For those drawn to hiking, skiing, or diving, look for plans that include extreme sports coverage. Standard policies often exclude these high-risk activities.
Families: Parents traveling with children should prioritize family policies that include pediatric care, emergency evacuation for dependents, and child-specific benefits like hospitalization and coverage for accidents, sudden illnesses, or specialized pediatric treatments.
Digital Nomads and Long-Term Expats: Those on extended stays abroad may benefit from international health insurance rather than short-term travel policies, ensuring ongoing access to quality healthcare worldwide.
Pacific Prime advisors can help identify the travel insurance plan that fits your lifestyle, so you can fully utilize your coverage without overpaying.
When planning your next trip, don’t leave insurance to the last minute. Just as you would check your passport or pack your clothes, reviewing your coverage should be part of your pre-departure checklist.
At Pacific Prime, we make it easy to:
Review your existing health insurance plan
Identify what’s covered while travelling
Recommend affordable travel insurance add-ons
Provide round-the-clock support in case of emergencies abroad
Traveling should be about creating good, unforgettable memories, not worrying about medical bills or lost luggage. With the right combination of international health and travel insurance, you can explore the world with confidence, knowing you’re protected against the unexpected.
Before your next trip, make sure you understand your coverage. Speak with a Pacific Prime advisor today to compare plans, clarify your benefits, and ensure you’re fully prepared, wherever your travels may take you.
Get a free quote today and start your journey with peace of mind.
Disclaimer: Pacific Prime solely represents, operates and manages locally regulated insurance products and services in the territory of PR China. Any references to Pacific Prime Global Company or Group, the international services, insurance products or otherwise stated written or verbally, is for introduction purposes about our overseas network only as each entity is fully independent.
While international health insurance covers your medical needs within your policy’s region, travel insurance provides additional protection for trip-related issues such as flight cancellations, lost baggage, travel delays, or emergency evacuation when you’re outside China.
That depends on your policy’s area of coverage. Some plans include global protection, while others exclude your home country or certain high-cost regions like the United States. Always check your plan’s regional limits and trip duration restrictions before you travel.
Some insurers do offer travel insurance with pre-existing condition coverage, but it usually comes with specific requirements, such as purchasing your policy shortly after booking your trip or providing proof that your condition is stable.
