10Life Financial Limited
Enquiries: enquiries@10life.com
Hotline: (852) 3705 1599
Address: 16/F Greatmany Centre, 109-115 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Talk to 10Life on WeChat
false
Trending
Trending
Table of Content
Health and Medical Risks: Be Prepared
Environmental and Safety Risks: Protecting Yourself
Travel Insurance: An Essential for Your Journey
Category
Author
Search 
Category
Author
Search
[Travellers Must Read] Conduct a Simple Risk Assessment Before Departure for Greater Peace of Mind
Are you ready for your next exciting journey? The cuisine of Japan, the sunshine of Thailand, and the culture of Europe are endlessly enticing. However, while you’re eagerly planning your itinerary and packing your luggage, have you also made thorough preparations for the potential risks that may arise during your travels?
Accidents and unexpected situations often occur at the most unforeseen moments. This article will provide you with a simple yet comprehensive risk assessment framework to help you prepare before departure, ensuring that your journey is not only exciting but also safe and worry-free.
Health and Medical Risks: Be Prepared
Health issues during travel should not be overlooked, as traveller’s illness or unexpected injuries can significantly disrupt your planned itinerary.
Assessing Medical Costs and Quality
Medical expenses vary greatly across different countries. In developed nations such as those in Europe and America, the cost of a single emergency visit can easily exceed tens of thousands. In some developing countries, while costs may be lower, the quality of medical care can be inconsistent.
Before departure, it’s advisable to search online for keywords such as “Hospital emergency room cost” for your destination. You can also refer to Table 1 to understand the per capita medical expenditure levels in various regions, which can help in selecting travel insurance with adequate coverage.
Table 1: Per Capita Medical Expenses for Popular Travel Destinations Among Hong Kong Residents
Popular Travel Destinations | Per Capita Medical Expenses (USD) |
| Thailand | $370 |
| Malaysia | $458 |
| Mainland China | $672 |
| South Korea | $3,049 |
| Japan | $3,889 |
| Singapore | $4,320 |
| United Kingdom | $5,035 |
| Canada | $6,255 |
| Australia | $6,731 |
| United States | $12,434 |
| Data Source: World Bank Database: Current Health Expenditure Per Capita (Current US$) (2022) | |
Further Reading: Check Out Travel Insurance with High Medical Coverage Ratings
Save Emergency Contacts in Advance
In unfamiliar countries, if you encounter a medical emergency and wish to avoid delays in finding a doctor, which could worsen your condition, thorough preparation is essential.
Before departure, make sure to save the following numbers on your phone or write them down on paper:
- Local emergency helpline (e.g., Japan 119, UK 999)
- 24-hour emergency support hotline of your travel insurance provider
- Contact number of the Chinese consulate in the destination country
Pay Attention to Your Health Condition
In addition to emergency medical situations, it is important to be aware of your own health status.
- Patients with chronic conditions: If you have diabetes, hypertension, or similar conditions, ensure you carry sufficient medication, plus an extra week’s supply for emergencies. You may also prepare an English version of your doctor’s note and a list of medications.
- Elderly or physically frail individuals: Carefully assess the activity level of the itinerary, as well as climate and altitude factors. High-altitude areas or extreme weather may strain the cardiovascular system, so opt for destinations with mild climates and relaxed itineraries.
Stay Updated on the Latest Epidemic Information
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has eased, various emerging infectious diseases (such as Chikungunya fever) remain a travel risk. Quarantine policies in different countries may also change at any time.
- One week before departure, recheck the latest entry requirements (e.g., proof of vaccination) and epidemic status of your destination to ensure your trip is not disrupted.
Environmental and Safety Risks: Protecting Yourself
Want to ensure a smoother and worry-free journey? Make sure to do thorough research on your destination's environment before departure.
Understand Local Safety Conditions
Every place has its unique safety concerns.
- Safety concerns: Be cautious of pickpockets in major European cities; in some Southeast Asian areas, be aware of snatch thefts by motorbikes. Before departing, search for “(destination) common scams/crimes” to understand the local situation and avoid becoming a target. If travellers purchase travel insurance before departure, most policies will offer personal belongings coverage, though the terms of coverage vary across products. You can refer to our other articles for more details.
Table 2: Comparison of Personal Belongings Coverage in Travel Insurance (Maximum Compensation Amount, HKD)
Assuming the insured is an adult, on a 5-day trip, with the destination being Japan, and comparing the higher-tier plans of the products
| Product | Premium | Personal Belongings Rating | Total Compensation Limit | Mobile Phone | Laptop | Camera |
| Starr 「卓悅遊」旅遊保險 尊貴計劃 | $226 10% Discount Code：TSLifex10 →Apply Now← | 8.7 | $20,000 | $2,000 | $8,000 | $2,000 |
| FWD富衛 自寫意旅遊保 頭等計劃 | $234 30% Discount Code：HAPPY30 →Apply Now← | 8.6 | $20,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 |
| Blue Cross 藍十字保險 智在遊 尊尚計劃 | $210 35% Discount Code： 10LIFE65 →Apply Now← | 8.3 | $20,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| Note： 1. Sorted by personal belongings rating from lowest to highest for travel insurance. 2. Product information last updated on: 1st March 2024 | ||||||
Table 3: European Cities Where Pickpocketing is More Common
| Country | City |
| Italy | Rome |
| France | Paris |
| Spain | Barcelona |
| Netherlands | Amsterdam |
| Greece | Athens |
| Portugal | Lisbon |
| Germany | Berlin |
Understanding Political Stability
In addition to safety concerns, it is also important to pay attention to the local political environment.
- Political aspects: Elections, demonstrations, or ethnic conflicts may escalate into events that affect traveller safety, leading to curfews, traffic disruptions, or even border closures. Stay informed about the local political situation through news media. If the political situation at your destination is unstable, prepare a backup evacuation plan. In the event of sudden political incidents, local transportation may be significantly impacted, and flights could be delayed or even cancelled. Most travel insurance policies provide coverage for trip delays.
Further reading: 【Travel Insurance】Comparing Trip Delay Coverage of 10 Products - Up to $3,600 Compensation for Flight Delays?
Table 4: Comparison of Travel Delay Coverage for Four Travel Insurance Plans (HKD)
Assuming the insured is an adult, on a 5-day trip with the destination being Japan, and comparing the higher-tier plans of the products
| Product | Premium | Trip Disruption Rating | Baggage Delay Coverage (Minimum Delay Hours Required) | Trip Delay Allowance Maximum Compensation Amount (Minimum Delay Hours Required) | Additional Transport and Accommodation Costs Due to Trip Delay Coverage Maximum Compensation Amount (Minimum Delay Hours Required) |
| Blue Cross 藍十字 智在遊 尊尚計劃 | $210 65% Discount Code: 10LIFE65 →Apply Now← | 9.5 | Cash Allowance $1,000 (6 hours) | $1,500 $300 per 5 hours | Transport Cost $10,000 Accommodation Cost $3,000 (6 hours) |
| AXA 安盛 「卓越」豐盛優遊樂 - 至尊計劃 | $224 Enjoy 65% discount when applying through 10Life →Apply Now← | 9.4 | Reimbursement $1,500 (6 hours) | $3,000 $300 per 6 hours | Transport Cost $10,000 Accommodation Cost $3,000 (6 hours) |
| BOC 中銀 環宇遨翔旅遊保障計劃 鑽石計劃（附加升級保障） | $318 Enjoy 20% discount when applying through 10Life →Apply Now← | 9.3 | Reimbursement $3,000 (6 hours) | $3,600 | Transport and Accommodation Cost $10,000 |
| Dah Sing Insurance 大新保險 「智優遊」旅遊保障計劃 鑽石計劃 | $178 30% Discount Code: 10LIFE25Q3 →Apply Now← | 9.0 | Reimbursement $1,000 (6 hours) | $3,000 First 5 hours $300 Subsequent 10 hours up to $600 | Transport Cost $10,000 Accommodation Cost $3,000 (6 hours) |
| 蘇黎世 Zurich 「 易起行+」旅遊保險計劃 優越計劃 | $294 25% Discount Code: 10LIFESINGLE25 →Apply Now← | 8.9 | Cash Allowance $800 (6 hours) | $1,600 $300 per 5 hours | Accommodation Cost $2,000 (6 hours) |
Note:
| |||||
Making Good Use of Government Travel Alerts
The "Outbound Travel Alert System" by the Hong Kong Security Bureau serves as the most authoritative reference for assessing risks.
- Yellow Alert: Reminds travellers to exercise heightened caution
- Red Alert: Advises against non-essential travel
- Black Alert: Indicates that travel should be avoided
Before departure, please visit the Security Bureau's website to check the alert level for your destination and register for the government's "Outbound Travel Alert Registration Service" to receive important information in case of emergencies.
Travel Insurance: An Essential for Your Journey
A comprehensive travel insurance policy is an indispensable part of overall risk management. It acts like a safety net, providing support to travellers when they need it most.
- Coverage Scope: In addition to basic medical, personal accident, and personal belongings coverage, consider whether your itinerary requires coverage for items such as "extreme sports", "terrorism attacks", or "emergency medical evacuation".
- Review Terms: Before purchasing, visit 10Life to compare the details of different plans, especially the "exclusions" and "deductibles".
- Backup Information: After purchasing, store copies of the policy, the insurer's 24-hour hotline, and other important information separately on your phone, email, and carry-on luggage, and inform a relative or friend in Hong Kong.
When travelling abroad, purchasing suitable travel insurance is essential. Adequate travel coverage ensures you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind. As Hong Kong's insurance comparison platform, 10Life not only compares over 60 single-trip travel insurance plans on the market, but now also features a dedicated comparison section for "annual travel insurance", with clear insights into premium differences and coverage scopes, along with actuary ratings to help consumers precisely find the most suitable single-trip or annual travel insurance plan.
Last updated: 13 August 2025
This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.
10Life Editorial Team
Our team of professional content researchers focussing on insurance
10Life Editorial Team
Our team of professional content researchers focussing on insurance
Disclaimer
10Life Product Comparison and 10Life Insurance Ratings are developed by 10Life Financial Limited, an authorised insurance broker company licensed with the Insurance Authority under License Number FB1526. 10Life Product Comparison and 10Life Insurance Ratings are developed for generic customer segments using mathematical calculations based on product information, facts and data, and are not influenced by any partnerships with or fees received from insurance companies. Any information on 10Life Platform ("10Life Information"), including but not limited to Product Comparison, Product Ratings, Blog Articles are intended for general education purpose and reference only. None of the 10Life Information is intended, nor should they be considered or relied upon, as regulated advice, insurance, financial, investment or professional advice, recommendation, approval, endorsement, invitation or solicitation in respect of any insurance, financial or investment products. 10Life Information does not take into account your individual needs. Reading 10Life Information should not be considered as conducting a suitability assessment, and is not sufficient to form the basis of any decisions to purchase any insurance products. You should rely on information authorised by insurance companies, carry out your own research and/or seek independent advice from licensed intermediaries before purchasing any insurance products or making any insurance decisions. While reasonable effort is used when collecting, validating and updating 10Life Information from various channels, none of 10Life Group and its subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, directors, officers and employees will be responsible for any liability, claim or loss arising from or associated with you using 10Life Information. No warranty, representation or guarantee is given by 10Life Group and its subsidiaries on the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of the information. If you have any questions on 10Life Product Comparison and 10Life Insurance Ratings, please email us at enquiries@10life.com
