Summer Study Tours Abroad: How to Choose Travel Insurance — Know the Three Types
2013-07-13
Marcus Tang
The Asiana crash in San Francisco that killed two Chinese students put study-tour safety in the spotlight for Chinese communities. With summer peak season here, insurance experts warn: however short the trip, accidents are likelier in unfamiliar places than at home — choose travel cover carefully, or a patchy policy could cost you dearly.
Three types of travel insurance
| Type | Covers |
|---|---|
| Travel medical insurance | Emergency illness/injury medical costs + emergency evacuation, family visits, escorting minors home |
| Travel accidental death | Flight accidents, fare-paying transport accidents, 24-hour all-risk accidents; death by illness excluded |
| Trip cancellation insurance | Irresistible-force losses (natural disasters, illness, accidents) or agency/airline collapse; also baggage loss and missed-connection hotel costs |
Know before you buy
- Read the “accident” definition: claims follow the policy’s own definition — don’t guess
- Sums insured for every budget: typically RMB 50,000 to RMB 500,000; premiums from RMB 3–5 a day — very affordable
- Credit-card travel cover: some cards (e.g. American Express) bundle travel insurance with ticket purchases — use it
- Schengen visa requirements: some European countries require travel medical insurance before approving visas
More insurance, more protection. Never travel without it; read the policy wording closely and give shady operators no opening.
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