On long trips, emergencies are rare—but when they happen, knowing the right order of action matters more than panic. Knowing who to contact and which numbers to call upfront can save you hours.
The best preparation is to back up: photos of documents, digital copies of insurance policies, and a written itinerary with contact information.
I. Lost Documents
If your ID card is lost, report it to the nearest police station and request a temporary identity certificate. You can use this certificate for hotel registration and certain ticket purchases. To replace your ID card, you must visit your household registration location or an authorized window; policies for processing applications outside your home region vary by local public security authority.
Lost passports involve entry and exit management. You must report the loss to the public security authority's exit-entry administration and follow the required procedures, which may require adjusting your travel plans. The same applies to Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan travel permits.
- ID Card: Police Report + Temporary ID Certificate
- Passport: Report to the Exit-Entry Administration
- Backup: ID photo, copy, and digital version
- Report the incident first, then apply for a replacement. Keep the report receipt.
II. Vehicle Breakdowns and Accidents
If your vehicle breaks down while driving, pull over to the emergency lane or shoulder immediately. Turn on your hazard lights, move all passengers behind the guardrail, and then contact rescue services. You can use either the highway emergency number or your insurance company's roadside assistance. Providing your exact location (mile marker) is critical.
Call the police first after an accident, take photos of the scene, then contact your insurance provider. Do not move your vehicle until you have reached an agreement unless it is blocking traffic or poses a safety hazard.
3. Luggage and Belongings
If you leave luggage on the bus or at a hotel, contact the carrier and accommodation immediately; most items are recovered. Do not check valuable items—carry them with you.
When purchasing travel insurance that covers baggage and document loss, review the coverage details and reporting deadlines. Claims may be affected if reported after the deadline.
IV. How to perform proactive backups
Before departure, photograph your ID card, passport, driver's license, and insurance policy and save them to an encrypted album on your phone. Also back them up to the cloud. Keep paper copies in a separate compartment of your luggage, away from the originals.
Write down your itinerary, accommodation address, and emergency contact on paper and keep it in your carry-on bag. If your phone runs out of battery or gets lost, this paper is more reliable than any app.
5. Help Channels and Order
If your safety is threatened, call the police first, then contact your travel agency or tour operator. If you lose your documents, report it to the police and obtain a receipt before applying for a temporary replacement. If your belongings are stolen, preserve the scene and surveillance footage, then promptly notify your insurance provider.
When your trip is interrupted, first arrange your return and accommodation, then handle refunds. Hasty decisions can lead to mistakes; organizing the steps clearly helps minimize losses.
See section on Document Preparation and Border Pass Processing.ID Instructions, see Insurance and Medical CareMedical Care & Insurance, for emergencies, callCall 18999127242。
If you lose an item at a scenic spot or on a vehicle, contact the site's lost-and-found office and the carrier immediately; most items are recovered the same day. On chartered trips, drivers often discover forgotten items first—call them right away.
A lost passport or travel document will directly affect your subsequent itinerary and departure. Avoid traveling across regions during the replacement process to allow time for the procedure. Keep all police reports and receipts, as they are required for future claims and reimbursement.
Share identification details and emergency contacts among group members so you don't have to rely on memory during an incident. For team trips, the leader should centrally manage this information for maximum efficiency.
Save your insurer's claim hotline to your phone contacts as "Insurance," not just in SMS. Searching through messages is time-consuming when signal is poor.
See Document Preparation and Border Pass Application.ID InstructionsFor insurance and medical visit procedures, seeMedical Care & InsuranceFor assistance during your trip, please callCall 18999127242Contact
