The Best Travel Insurance in Beijing

Travelers to Beijing can enjoy peace of mind with travel insurance that includes medical and traditional coverage. Consider providers like Allianz, IMG, and VUMI for comprehensive coverage that protects travelers to Beijing from most accidents, from lost luggage and trip delays to medical treatment.

Discover the world’s top health insurers.
Compare quotes with a click of the button.

Many travelers to Beijing wonder what type of travel insurance they should purchase and whether it’s even necessary at all. If you have these questions or wonder who the best providers are, what travel insurance covers in Beijing, or what it will cost, you’re in the right place. 

In this Pacific Prime article, we will outline everything you need to know about travel insurance for your time in Beijing. We’ll also compare top-rated providers, give safety and travel advice, and more.

In case you need more background information, start by browsing our articles on how the healthcare system in China works and international health insurance options for Beijing. Now let’s get started.

Kickstart Your Search for the Perfect Insurer

Compare over
50,000 Plans
from Top Insurers

The Best Travel Insurance Providers in Beijing

Image of Tourists At China's Forbidden City In Bright Daylight with text overlay of "Best Travel Insurance Providers"

Pacific Prime’s top picks for the best travel insurance providers for Beijing are Allianz, April International, Geoblue, IMG, MSH International, and VUMI. Here is a brief overview of each provider:

Allianz

Allianz Travel offers several travel insurance options for your Beijing stay. Their OneTrip Prime plan is most popular, but they also offer their OneTrip Basic, OneTrip Premier, OneTrip Emergency Medical, and OneTrip Cancellation plans for single-trip coverage. They also offer four multi-trip plans.

Their single-trip travel insurance options include the following plans:

  • OneTrip Prime: trip cancellation up to USD $100,000; trip interruption up to USD $150,000; emergency medical up to USD $50,000; baggage loss or damage up to $1,000; and much more.
  • OneTrip Basic: trip cancellation up to USD $10,000; trip interruption up to USD $10,000; emergency medical up to USD $10,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $500; and much more.
  • OneTrip Premier: trip cancellation up to USD $200,000; trip interruption up to USD $300,000; emergency medical up to USD $75,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $2,000; and much more.
  • OneTrip Emergency Medical: emergency medical up to USD $50,000; emergency medical transportation up to USD $250,000; travel accident coverage up to USD $10,000; and much more.
  • OneTrip Cancellation Plus: trip cancellation up to USD $5,000; trip interruption up to USD $5,000; travel delay up to USD $150, plus 24-hour hotline assistance.

Their multi-trip plans include:

  • AllTrips Basic: emergency medical up to USD $20,000; emergency medical transportation up to USD $100,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $1,000; travel delay up to USD $600; and much more.
  • AllTrips Premier: trip cancellation and trip interruption with options from USD $2,000–$15,000; emergency medical up to USD $50,000; emergency medical transportation up to USD $500,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $2,000; travel delay up to USD $1,500; and much more.
  • AllTrips Executive: trip cancellation and trip interruption with options from USD $5,000–$10,000; emergency medical up to USD $50,000; emergency medical transportation up to USD $250,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $1,000; travel delay up to USD $1,600; cover for business equipment; and more.
  • AllTrips Prime: trip cancellation up to USD $3,000; trip interruption up to USD $3,000; emergency medical up to USD $20,000; emergency medical transportation up to USD $100,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $1,000; travel delay up to USD $600; and much more.

April International Travel Insurance

April International offers top-tier travel insurance to Beijing visitors seeking medical benefits. April International even offers coverage for pre-existing conditions to policyholders under 50 with a plan of three months or longer.  

Travel insurance plans for up to one month begin at USD $12.41 per person. Travel insurance plans for up to three months begin at $24.83 per person. Some of the other reasons to choose April International include:

  • Over 30 years of experience
  • Coverage for as little as one month and up to one year
  • Access to private medical facilities of your choice across 2 million providers
  • Local teams and experts offering assistance in multiple languages
  • Coverage in over 180 countries

If you intend to stay in China long-term, consider April International’s MyHEALTH China plan. It offers international insurance, which is ideal for expats and frequent travelers.

VUMI Travel VIP

VIP Universal Medical Insurance (VUMI) offers comprehensive coverage for your time in Beijing, whether you visit once or make several return trips. All VUMI travel plans include exceptional benefits such as:

  • Emergency assistance 24/7
  • Traveler’s choice of doctors and hospitals worldwide
  • Emergency dental coverage
  • Children under age 2 are eligible for free coverage
  • Coverage for travelers up to 79 years old
  • Return ticket home if your flight is missed due to illness
  • USD $5,000,000 maximum lifetime benefit per insured person up to age 70
  • Coverage of $500,000 for stable pre-existing conditions
  • Hospitalization is covered at 100%
  • Outpatient & specialist visits are 100% covered
  • 100% coverage for prescription medications

Beyond these benefits, you can choose a nonmedical or cancellation rider to boost your coverage.

IMG 

IMG offers both travel insurance and travel medical insurance with exceptional coverage for your trip to Beijing. Their Lite and Platinum Patriot plans provide tiered medical coverage while their Lite, SE, and LX iTravelInsured plans cover traditional travel benefits.

All of IMG’s Patriot plans provide cover for:

  • Physician visits
  • Cancer treatment
  • X-rays and lab tests
  • Surgeries
  • Prescription drugs and medication
  • Return of mortal remains
  • Return travel costs

Patriot Lite covers medical treatment from USD $50,000–$1,000,000 and medical evacuation up to USD $1,000,000. Patriot Platinum covers medical treatment from USD $2,000,000–$8,000,000 and medical evacuation up to USD $8,000,000.

All of IMG’s iTravelInsured plans provide cover for:

  • 24/7 emergency assistance support
  • Return transportation
  • Transportation of child/children
  • Accident & sickness expense 

IMG’s iTravelInsured Lite plan covers medical costs up to USD $100,000 per person, medical evacuation up to USD $500,000 per person, trip cancellation up to 100% of the trip cost, and trip interruption up to 125% of the trip cost. 

IMG’s iTravelInsured SE covers medical costs up to USD $150,000 per person, medical evacuation up to USD $500,000 per person, trip cancellation up to 100% of the trip cost, and trip interruption up to 150% of the trip cost.

IMG’s iTravelInsured LX covers medical costs up to USD $500,000 per person, medical evacuation up to USD $1,000,000 per person, trip cancellation up to 100% of the trip cost, and trip interruption up to 150% of the trip cost, plus cancel for any reason coverage.

Geoblue

For United States citizens hoping to visit Beijing (or anywhere else!), Geoblue’s Voyager and Trekker plans are ideal choices. GeoBlue’s Voyager plan covers single trips up to 182 days while the Trekker plan covers an unlimited number of trips within a one-year policy.

The table below compares nonmedical benefits across these two plans:

GeoBlue Plans Non-medical Benefits Comparison (USD)

 

  Voyager (Single Trip) Trekker (Multiple Trips)
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Maximum Benefit $50,000 $25,000
Emergency Family Travel Arrangements $2,500 for one economy round-trip plane ticket $2,500 for one economy round-trip plane ticket
Hazardous Activities (downhill skiing or scuba diving within certain parameters) $25,000 maximum claim amount $25,000 maximum claim amount
Post-Departure Trip Interruption Transportation $1,000 maximum benefit amount Not covered
Post-Departure Trip Interruption Quarantine Coverage Lodging & incidentals of $50 per day, 10 days maximum Not covered
Lost Baggage & Personal Effects Coverage Maximum benefit of $500 per trip, $100 per bag/item Maximum benefit of $500 per trip, $100 per bag/item
Repatriation of Remains $25,000 maximum benefit $25,000 maximum benefit

MSH International

MSH International offers a short-term travel insurance plan that is designed for expats needing basic healthcare and traditional travel insurance. Find some of the featured benefits of this plan, called Start’Expat, below: 

Start’Expat Healthcare Benefits
Non-medical Travel Benefit Coverage Limit
Flight Delay Leading to a Missed Connection Payment of a fixed amount of USD $320
(only for technical reasons or due to weather conditions)  
Theft, Total or Partial Destruction, or Loss of Luggage During Transportation by a Carrier USD $2,160 ($27 deductible/suitcase) limited to 50% for valuables
Medical or Surgical Hospitalization 100% of costs
Consultations with General Practitioners and Specialists 100% of costs (up to USD $86 per procedure beyond 2 consultations)
Pharmaceutical Costs USD $3,200

Types of Travel Insurance Coverage for Beijing Travelers

Image of Temple Of Heaven In Beijing, China With Iconic Architecture with text overlay of "Types of Travel Insurance Coverage"

Travelers to Beijing can purchase traditional or medical insurance or a bundle of both. Traditional travel insurance reimburses you for travel-related accidents like losing personal items or cancelling your trip. Travel medical insurance helps cover the cost if you need medical treatment in Beijing.

Because the cost of unexpected accidents abroad can cost far more than travel insurance, insurance is always recommended. The financial security as well as the peace of mind you enjoy with insurance makes Beijing travel insurance well worth the cost.

Travel insurance is not required for visitors to Beijing or other areas of China, but it is highly recommended, particularly coverage that includes medical evacuation. Let’s break down what each type of insurance offers.

Traditional Travel Insurance for Beijing 

Traditional travel insurance for Beijing generally covers lost luggage and personal belongings, cancellation (either cancel for any reason or general cancellation), trip interruption, and travel delay. It often includes other benefits as well, such as 24/7 customer service or car rental protection.

While we all hope for stress-free vacations, accidents can happen to even the most experienced travelers. Buying travel insurance eliminates the worry of covering costs yourself for losing items, missing a flight, or having to cancel your trip altogether. 

Travel Medical Insurance for Beijing

Travel medical insurance in Beijing provides basic coverage in case of a medical emergency while you’re visiting China. All visitors to China must pay for their own medical needs, so those without insurance coverage would have to pay all medical costs, no matter how hefty, out of pocket. 

Common benefits under travel medical insurance plans include:

  • Hospitalization: This is coverage should you need an emergency hospital stay. It helps cover things like emergency medical treatment, hospital stay costs, and doctors fees, lab costs. This is only meant for emergency treatment you may need in Beijing, not routine care.
  • Outpatient treatment: This coverage is for medical treatment not received at a hospital, such as visits to a general practitioner. 
  • Medical evacuation: This covers the cost of moving you to a medical facility that can treat your medical needs.
  • Repatriation of remains: This covers the cost of transporting your body back to your home country in the worst case scenario that you die while in Beijing.

Single-Trip and Multi-Trip Coverage for Beijing

Single-trip travel insurance is ideal for vacationers who only plan to visit Beijing once within a short amount of time. Those who travel to Beijing frequently or who have multiple trips planned besides their Beijing excursion should consider multi-trip coverage.

Multi-trip coverage extends the benefits of your travel insurance plan across multiple trips within your provider’s designated timeframe. Some plans are as brief as a month or two while some extend up to a year. If you need help finding providers with multi-trip coverage, consult with a broker.

Alternative Types of Insurance for Beijing and Worldwide Coverage

Purchase international health insurance if you plan to visit more than just China or if you plan to stay in Beijing long term. You can also consider short-term insurance for more extensive medical coverage for a quick trip to Beijing.

International Health Insurance

International health insurance provides the ultimate coverage for individuals living away from their home country or for those traveling widely. These plans are meant to offer expats and nomads a wide selection of customizable, globally portable benefits that can be tailored to their lifestyle. 

Short-Term Health Insurance

Most short-term insurance covers preventative care, emergency care, urgent care, and medical tests, and some plans offer discounts on medications. Short-term plans are not comprehensive, so they don’t cover pre-existing conditions, mental health services, maternity care, or substance abuse. 

What Travel Insurance Doesn’t Cover in Beijing

Some common travel insurance exclusions include foreseen events, civil unrest, pre-existing conditions, dental work, storms, fear of travel, and dangerous activities. Always read plan details before signing to verify what providers do and do not cover. 

Let’s address these common exclusions a bit more:

  • Foreseen events include events you could reasonably anticipate. For example, if the area you’re traveling to is experiencing an epidemic when you book your trip but you decide to cancel later, you will not be reimbursed (unless you purchased cancel for any reason coverage).
  • Civil unrest includes war, terrorism, and other unrest. These are considered “known perils,” and you will likely not be reimbursed, especially if there is a government advisory against travel to the location. If unrest breaks out while you’re on vacation, you may be entitled to emergency evacuation.
  • Pre-existing conditions include mental health conditions, pregnancy, and alcohol- or drug-related conditions. Some travel insurance providers offer separate maternity package riders for those seeking pregnancy coverage benefits while abroad.
  • Dental work is often considered nonessential work and so is often excluded from the basic medical coverage in travel insurance plans. Some providers do offer dental coverage packages as an extra rider.
  • Medical treatment within travel insurance plans is generally not comprehensive, as it is only meant for emergencies. For travelers seeking comprehensive medical insurance while abroad, they may want to consider international health insurance or short-term insurance.
  • Storms may or may not be covered under a plan, depending on the provider and the circumstance. If you book a trip when a known storm is approaching your location, it falls under the umbrella of a foreseeable event, so cancellation will not be covered.
  • Fear of travel is a common clause under travel insurance exclusions. This means if you book a trip but then want to cancel it out of fear for any reason (e.g. fear of getting sick, fear of flying), you will not be reimbursed.
  • Dangerous activities are generally not covered under travel insurance, though some providers do offer a separate rider for adventurous travelers. Dangerous activities include activities like mountain climbing, skydiving, hang gliding, or caving.

The Cost of Travel Insurance

Image of Modern Luxury At Park Hyatt Beijing Hotel In China with text overlay of "The Cost of Travel Insurance"

The length and cost of your trip, your age, and your health all contribute to the cost of your travel insurance, with most plans to Beijing costing 4–12% of your total trip cost. Experts at Pacific Prime suggest that a single-trip plan may cost as little as USD $39 or USD $125 for a multi-trip plan. 

For a side-by-side comparison, below we have compared quotes for the cost of travel insurance for a 30-year-old visiting Beijing for 30 days with a total trip cost of $2,500.

Travel Insurance for China: Quote Examples
Provider Plan Name Cost Estimate
GeoBlue Voyager Choice $39.00 ($500 deductible)

$61.50  ($0 deductible)

GeoBlue Trekker Choice $125  ($200 deductible)

$175  ($100 deductible)

Allianz Travel OneTrip Basic $98
Allianz Travel OneTrip Prime $136
Allianz Travel OneTrip Premier $184
Allianz Travel AllTrips Basic $138
Allianz Travel All Trips Premier $485
IMG Global iTravelInsured SE $84.05
IMG Global iTravelInsured LX $159.74
IMG Global Patriot Lite $48
IMG Global Patriot Platinum $70.50
IMG Global Patriot Multi-Trip $200 ($250 deductible)
VUMI Single Trip $205.73
VUMI Annual Trip $204.12
MSH International Start’Expat $165.42 ($1,000 deductible)

Steps to Finding the Best Travel Insurance for Beijing

To purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan that fits your budget and plans for Beijing, follow each of the steps below:

  1. Consider your needs: Do you plan to travel briefly or extensively? How many people do you wish to cover? What does your budget look like? Do you want traditional travel insurance as well? How extensive does your medical coverage need to be?
  2. Research plans: Browse top travel insurance providers or enlist the help of an insurance broker to find the best plan for your needs.
  3. Compare quotes: Whether you research on your own or seek out professional help, compare quotes from each provider. For a simple solution, check out our free quote tool.
  4. Apply for coverage: Applying for coverage quickly ensures better eligibility for extra benefits. Be prepared to offer the destination and length of your trip, health information like age or pre-existing conditions, and planned trip activities.

Health and Safety Tips for Travel to Beijing

Beijing enjoys a relatively low crime rate, but individuals visiting are still recommended to increase their caution during travel. With the proper preparation, like knowing seasonal risks and emergency numbers, using careful expression, and keeping up-to-date vaccines, you can have a safe, enjoyable trip. 

Seasonal Risks

Beijing has an intense rainy season in summer, and the city can even be affected by typhoons, such as Typhoon Doksuri in 2023. To prepare for weather risks, make sure to monitor weather forecasts and know your hotel’s evacuation plan in case of emergency. 

Before arriving in Beijing, secure your passport and devices in waterproof containers and research the advice of local authorities on extreme weather. 

Emergency Numbers

Call 110 for police, 119 for the fire department, and 120 for first aid. Do not resort to self defense tools like mace, pepper spray, stun guns, bullets, and switchblades, which are banned in Beijing. 

Careful Expression

Use discretion while expressing personal views in Beijing. According to provisions under the Special Administrative Region (SAR), “Anyone who criticizes the PRC and/or Beijing SAR authorities may face arrest, detention, expulsion, and/or prosecution” (US Travel Advisory to China and Beijing).

Government leaders in Beijing have restricted civil liberties in an attempt to safeguard against secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign entities, and many of the local laws have been known to enforce drastic yet arbitrary laws. 

Travelers are encouraged to use extreme caution to avoid any appearance of suspicious activity, critical speech of China or Beijing, restrict excessive praise of Western ideals, and to strictly follow all laws and customs. 

Maintain Up-to-Date Vaccines

The CDC suggests that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccines such as chicken pox, flu, measles, polio, and shingles as well as other vaccines like COVID-19, hepatitis A and B, and rabies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents do I need to travel to Beijing?

Most visitors to Beijing and the rest of China need a passport that is valid for at least six months as well as a China visa. 

Is travel insurance required for Beijing?

Travel insurance is not required to enter Beijing, but it is highly recommended. Travel insurance provides financial security for most travel-related issues and medical emergencies.

When is the best time to buy travel insurance?

The best time to purchase travel insurance is as soon as you know your trip itinerary. The sooner you purchase your coverage, the more likely you are to qualify for top benefits, like cancel for any reason coverage.

Conclusion: Getting the Coverage You Need

Travel insurance to Beijing is not required, but to make sure your trip is covered, purchase comprehensive travel insurance or international health insurance for your stay. 

Pacific Prime has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, and our experts provide free quotations and leverage our partnerships with insurers to help you find the perfect travel insurance for your budget and needs. Contact us today so we can help you prepare for a memorable vacation!

If you’re looking for more information for travel around the world, consider our article on the best travel insurance in China, or check out our complete guide to travel insurance in Hong Kong.

Thanks for reading, and safe travels to Beijing!

Head of Content at Pacific Prime
Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
Serena Fung
  • ABOUT PACIFIC PRIME

  • Pacific Prime is an insurance advisor that offers local insurance solutions and a wide range of plans to cover businesses, individuals, and families.

  • For more information about any of our articles, or to find out more about the services we offer, visit our site here.

  • RECENT POSTS