Taiwan Launches Microinsurance for Heat Injuries
Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment, along with Nan Shan Life Insurance, launched a first-of-its-kind microinsurance policy to cover hospitalization costs related to heat injuries. Nearly 32,000 low-income households in Tainan will participate in a year-long, premium-free trial.
The program aims to protect a vulnerable population, specifically the 5% most susceptible to heat-related illness, and utilizes technology to proactively identify risk. More than 3,000 people in Taiwan seek medical attention annually for heat-related issues, with elderly individuals facing heightened danger.
The insurance provides a benefit of up to NT$10,000 for those aged 15 to 75 from low to medium-income backgrounds. Tainan was selected as the initial trial location, with plans to expand the program to all six special municipalities. Officials noted a significant increase in heat-related medical visits among those aged 65 to 74, rising from 333 in 2015 to 791 in 2024.
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