Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Some brokerages also make it easy for you to quickly choose and buy insurance online.
The problem is that you're likely to be unaware of the tricks and trips that are inherent with
life in Beijing. It really is advisable to find a reputable broker who is willing to meet you
face to face and who will give you frank advice and find a suitable plan for your situation.
Speak to various brokers if needed. Ensure they're familiar with the local market and suss
out how long they plan to be here—those who are in China for the long term are more likely
to care about customer service and your return business when your policy rolls over. “It's
important to speak to a broker who is knowledgeable about the small print and who isn't
just trying to take your money and run,” says local insurance professional Nika Feshchen-
ko. Beyond that, find out how long the insurance company has been dealing with China.
While getting your insurance, ask about property insurance. Few expats have it, but it's
quite possible that if someone else's property is damaged as a result of your property—for
example if your shower's plumbing leaks into the apartment below—you'll be liable, not
your landlord.
Broker options include locally experienced professionals such as Feshchenko, Pacific
Prime, BrokerFish, Globalsurance, and many more.
First of all, decide whether or not you're open to or interested in using local hospitals. If
this is important to you, you will immediately have eliminated several choices on your list
of potential insurers. Many of the most reputable international insurers are not accepted in
local Chinese hospitals, but a few are making efforts to be locally certified. Chinese insur-
ers are more likely to be accepted at local facilities.
Find out which hospitals the insurer can do direct billing for outpatient care with and un-
der what circumstances. International SOS, for instance, will not do direct billing with your
insurer if you are not a member. Then, for inpatient care, ensure the insurer can provide
guarantee of payment (GOP). This can usually be obtained within a few days or even within
a few minutes via fax if an emergency arises.
Just a few of the strong contenders for Beijing include Now Health International, AXA
PPP Healthcare, Bupa, Cigma, Aetna, and Allianz Worldwide Care, but there are many
more. Chinese private health insurance is relatively new and still developing. Some of the
better-known companies include Ping An Health Insurance, Huatai Insurance, and AXA-
Minmetals. Opinions vary as to local insurers' performance when it comes to customer ser-
vice and following through on payouts, and it would be wise to speak to an independent
broker or consultant to ascertain a company's current record.
