简体中文
People in 41 cities of China can insure their enjoyment of the full moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
An insurance company has launched an internet-based insurance product that offers compensation if customers are not able to see the moon during the coming Mid-Autumn Festival due to weather conditions.
We have the details.
PKG
"Moon insurance" was launched by Taobao Insurance, part of the Alibaba Group, China's largest online shopping platform, together with Allianz China General Insurance Company Ltd.
Internet users can insure themselves against inconvenience during their moon gazing at the Mid-Autumn Festival, and they will receive compensation if they cannot see the moon because of poor weather on the day.
Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen residents will have the choice of two insurance products.
They can pay a premium of about 3.24 U.S. dollars and receive eight dollars from the insurer if they cannot see the moon.
But those living in the cities, plus another 38 others across China, can also choose to pay a higher premium of 16 dollars to receive 31 dollars if they fail to see the moon through poor weather.
Anyone who purchases the insurance will also receive a box of mooncakes.
According to Allianz, there are a limited numbers of policies for internet users to purchase.
Although purchasing insurance online is nothing new, "moon insurance" is the first of its kind to be created in China with many believing the offer is simply a publicity stunt.
SOUNDBITE(CHINESE)Shanghai Resident
"I don't think I'll be buying the insurance."
SOUNDBITE(CHINESE)Shanghai Resident
"I will not buy insurance for something like this, and I will not buy insurance online."
But there are still some people interested in trying out this new kind product.
In Shanghai, for instance, 215 moon insurance packages have already been sold.
The representative of Taobao, China's most popular online retail platform, said "moon insurance" was a way of diversifying insurance.
SOUNDBITE(CHINESE): GE RUICHAO, Taobao Representative
"We hope netizens can understand that insurance is not just about one's health or other serious issues, but also about more minor risks which are often ignored in one's daily life."
The Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is held on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, during a full moon.
8This year, it falls on September 19.
It's traditionally a day for celebrating the summer harvest and reuniting with relatives.
