If you’re planning your “day-one survival kit”, start with: /first-time-checklist.

This page is general travel planning information, not insurance, legal, or medical advice. Policies differ by country and provider; always read the policy wording and exclusions.

The 30-second answer

For most first-time travelers, a “good enough” travel insurance setup is:

  • Emergency medical + evacuation (the high-cost scenario you don’t want to self-fund).
  • Trip interruption/cancellation (for big prepaid items).
  • Trip delay + missed connection coverage (for rebooking + hotel nights).
  • Baggage delay/loss (useful, but usually not the biggest value).

Then do one practical thing most people skip: save the insurer’s assistance number and a short claim document checklist before you travel.

What to check before you buy (China-specific lens)

1) Emergency medical and evacuation (the “catastrophe” coverage)

Look for:

  • Coverage that works internationally (not “domestic only”).
  • A clear definition of medical evacuation and repatriation.
  • A 24/7 assistance hotline that can coordinate care, language support, and payments.

If you want the non-panic version of medical prep (no diagnosis/treatment): /medical-disclaimer.

2) Trip delay, missed connections, and rebooking

China travel often includes tight handoffs (airport → train → hotel), and a single delay can cascade.

Look for:

  • Trip delay thresholds (e.g., 6/12 hours) and per-day caps.
  • Missed connection coverage rules (what counts as “missed” and what proof is required).
  • Whether you need to book travel segments on the same itinerary for coverage to apply.

Related prep:

3) Baggage delay/loss (helpful but paperwork-heavy)

If you check bags, baggage delay coverage can buy you time without panic-shopping.

Before travel, learn the “proof” pattern:

  • Airline report (PIR / lost baggage report) and case number.
  • Receipts for essential replacement purchases.
  • Proof of your itinerary and baggage fees (if relevant).

Related:

4) Pre-existing conditions and exclusions (don’t assume)

Common “gotchas” are not China-specific, but they matter:

  • Pre-existing condition clauses and waiver windows.
  • High-risk activity exclusions.
  • Alcohol/drug-related exclusions.
  • “Reasonable care” language (what the insurer expects you to do).

If you’re not sure, ask the insurer to confirm in writing what your plan covers.

The single best thing to do: save these 7 items in your phone

Create a note (offline accessible) with:

  1. Policy number and plan name
  2. 24/7 assistance phone number (and collect-call instructions if provided)
  3. Claim email / portal link (if any)
  4. Your passport name exactly as booked (helps with matching) — see: /blog/passport-name-consistency-mrz-china-bookings
  5. Emergency contact back home
  6. Copies/photos of: passport + visa + entry stamp (or entry record if applicable)
  7. A “what to collect for claims” checklist (below)

If something happens: the low-drama workflow

Step 1: Call the insurer assistance line early

Call as soon as it’s clearly not a 10-minute inconvenience. Assistance centers can:

  • tell you what’s covered,
  • guide you to in-network options (if applicable),
  • confirm what documents to collect,
  • sometimes help with payment guarantees (varies by policy).

Step 2: Get official paperwork first, shopping second

In almost every claim type, proof matters more than a perfect story.

  • Delays: airline/train written confirmation when possible.
  • Hotels: receipts with dates and amounts.
  • Medical visits: itemized invoices and diagnosis codes (where provided).

Step 3: Keep a simple timeline (notes app is fine)

Record:

  • what happened,
  • when it happened,
  • what you paid,
  • who you contacted (name + time),
  • reference numbers.

It makes the claim dramatically easier.

Claim document checklist (copy/paste)

You won’t need all of these, but this covers the common asks:

  • Policy number + claim form
  • Itinerary (flight/train confirmations)
  • Proof of delay/cancellation (carrier notice, email/SMS, screenshot)
  • Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses (lodging, meals, transport)
  • Proof of payment method (card statement line item if requested)
  • Baggage report (PIR/case number) + receipts for essentials
  • Medical invoices (itemized) + visit summary (where available)
  • Passport ID page + entry record (if requested)

Buying advice without brand-pushing

If you’re tempted to buy the cheapest plan, sanity-check the caps and exclusions first. The policy should match how you’re actually traveling:

  • Big prepaid itinerary → prioritize interruption/cancellation clarity
  • Tight connections → prioritize delay/missed-connection terms
  • Remote areas or ambitious itinerary → prioritize evacuation terms

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Last verified: 2026-06-12