Personal Accident or Travel Insurance? Know the Difference

Before a trip, should you buy personal accident cover or travel insurance? They cover completely different things — don’t buy the wrong one.

What’s the difference?

Personal accident covers accidents worldwide; travel insurance covers trip-related risks. Personal accident insurance (“平安保”) covers accidents anywhere in the world, including in Hong Kong; travel insurance targets journey risks — flight delays, lost baggage, trip cancellation — plus overseas medical care and emergency assistance.

How do you choose?

Match it to the cover you need. For trip-only protection, travel insurance suffices; for year-round accident cover anywhere, you need personal accident insurance. They’re not mutually exclusive — some buy both for fuller protection.

What should you check before buying?

Read the exclusions and check the benefit limits. Whichever you buy, check what’s excluded (e.g. hazardous activities), whether limits are adequate, and how claims work. Don’t buy on price alone.