China (CN)
China is one of the world's largest economies and most important expat destinations, combining global business hubs such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou with deep history, fast infrastructure, and a highly digital daily-life ecosystem.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in China, prioritised.
The insurance decision in China is mostly about bridging public social insurance, expensive international healthcare, liability exposure, housing risks, and travel/evacuation needs.
Legally Mandatory
- - Employer social insurance for eligible foreign employees
- - Motor vehicle compulsory traffic accident liability insurance if owning a car
International health insurance
Private medical cover for international clinics, private hospitals, inpatient care, evacuation, and overseas treatment.
Who needs it: Most expats, especially families and anyone outside a robust employer plan.
Annual cost: RMB 20,000-80,000 individual; RMB 50,000-200,000+ family
Check direct billing network and whether mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and home-country care are included.
Employer group medical
Company-provided health plan.
Who needs it: Employees should verify it before arrival.
Annual cost: Usually employer-paid
Ask for English policy wording and panel hospital list.
Car insurance
Compulsory third-party liability plus commercial cover.
Who needs it: Drivers and car owners.
Annual cost: RMB 3,000-12,000+
Driving in China requires a Chinese licence.
Personal liability insurance
Covers accidental injury or damage to others.
Who needs it: Families, pet owners, cyclists, and renters.
Annual cost: RMB 200-2,000
Less culturally standard than Europe but useful.
Home contents insurance
Covers belongings against fire, water damage, theft, and sometimes landlord claims.
Who needs it: Renters with valuable belongings.
Annual cost: RMB 300-2,000
Confirm coverage for imported electronics and water leaks.
Travel and evacuation insurance
Medical evacuation, trip interruption, and regional travel cover.
Who needs it: Frequent travellers and people in second-tier cities with limited international care.
Annual cost: RMB 1,000-8,000
Check exclusions for pollution, pandemics, and adventure sports.
High-limit personal accident insurance
Pays fixed benefits for accidental injury, disability, or death.
Who needs it: Frequent travellers, cyclists, e-bike users, families relying on one income, and people with limited employer cover.
Annual cost: RMB 200-2,000
Cheap policies can have narrow definitions; check traffic accident, sports, and overseas coverage.
Domestic helper / ayi liability and accident cover
Covers injury or liability connected with household help.
Who needs it: Families employing ayi, nanny, driver, or cleaner directly.
Annual cost: RMB 200-1,500
Clarify whether the worker is employed by an agency or directly by the household.
Critical illness insurance
Lump-sum benefit after specified serious diagnoses.
Who needs it: Long-term residents without strong home-country safety nets.
Annual cost: RMB 2,000-20,000+ depending age and sum insured
Definitions, waiting periods, and Chinese-language policy wording need careful review.
Tuition protection / school fee refund cover
Covers certain withdrawals, illness, or family emergencies where available.
Who needs it: Families paying large international school fees upfront.
Annual cost: School or insurer dependent
Not always available, but worth asking when tuition is paid by semester or year.
Comparison sites
Do not rely on travel insurance for long-term residence.
Confirm direct billing before choosing a hospital.
Check maternity waiting periods before pregnancy.
Keep Chinese and English insurer hotline numbers in your phone.
Ask whether claims require fapiao, diagnosis certificate, itemised bill, discharge summary, and stamped hospital documents.
If you travel often to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, or your home country, confirm those territories are included.
Check whether pollution-related respiratory issues, mental health, physiotherapy, and chronic conditions are excluded or capped.
For families, compare school evacuation requirements with health insurance evacuation wording.
Insurance
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