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Compliance starter
Legal boundaries, underground-policy red flags, seven trip steps, cooling-off / grace / waiting-period table, and licence checks. Rules first—products later.
Seven steps before and during a Hong Kong trip
01
Write one purpose sentence
What problem does this policy solve? What if you need cash in year 3? Bring both lines.
02
Verify intermediary on IA register
Match name, licence number and principal; stop if the card differs.
03
Pack ID and entry proof
ID, Exit-Entry Permit/passport, valid endorsement; keep the landing slip after signing.
04
Travel to Hong Kong to sign in person
The policyholder signs in HK; for minors the guardian is usually the applicant (confirm with insurer).
05
Pay premiums to the insurer’s account
Never pay personal WeChat/private accounts; keep institutional receipts.
06
Record delivery date and cooling-off
Life / VHIS commonly ~21 days from the earlier of delivery or notice; ILAS / single-premium may be MVA—follow policy and cooling-off notice.
07
Use official aftercare channels
Renewals, beneficiary changes and claims via insurer portals; disputes—written first, then complaints bureau.
Cooling-off · grace · waiting — side by side
| Period | Typical length | One-line purpose | Must ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling-off | Life/VHIS often 21 days (earlier of delivery/notice) | Written cancel in window; ILAS/single-premium may be MVA—policy & notice win | Starts on issue or receipt? How to serve written notice? |
| Grace period | Often ~30 days after due | Pay in window and cover usually continues; after that: APL / RPU / lapse risk | How many grace days? Auto cash-value premium loan? |
| Waiting / observation | Medical often ~30 days; CI often ~90 (product-specific) | Non-accident claims in window often declined; accident cover may differ | Different waits by illness? Accident carve-out? |
Go deeper
- Compliance hard checklist
Signing, premiums, IA, underground flags, cooling-off & tactics
- Licence check & red flags
Check any person’s licence; remote-sign / rebate / private-payee alerts
- Signing-day checklist
Landing slip, delivery date, licence no., payee proof, cooling-off
- Signing & aftercare hub
Pre-trip docs, renewals, claims and complaint routing
- Interview prep pack
Eight meeting questions and sales-tactic red flags
- FAQ encyclopedia
~50 Qs on compliance, roles, trip and mechanisms
Compliance cluster
- Can Mainland residents buy HK insurance?
- Adults with capacity can buy if they travel to HK, sign with a licensed insurer/broker and pay the insurer. Remote or proxy signing risks “underground” policies.
- Why must I travel to Hong Kong?
- Public guidance places sales and formal signing in Hong Kong. If you cannot travel, pause—do not treat a video call as formal signing.
- How do I verify a licence?
- Use the IA licensed intermediary register for name, number and principal—see our licence-check page.