保险业如何为消费“撑腰”？

Core Viewpoint - The recent Central Economic Work Conference emphasizes the need for financial institutions to enhance support for expanding domestic demand, highlighting the unique role of insurance in stabilizing the economy and boosting consumption [1][2]. Group 1: Insurance's Role in Consumption - Insurance helps alleviate "worries" related to various risks such as health issues, accidents, and property loss, thereby supporting consumer spending [1]. - Insurance products like life insurance, which have savings attributes, assist individuals in long-term financial planning and ensure stable income post-retirement, promoting balanced consumption across life cycles [1]. - The aggregation of insurance funds into the real economy strengthens the foundation for economic stability, further activating consumption potential [1]. Group 2: Addressing Supply and Demand Gaps - There is a mismatch between supply and demand in the insurance industry, with effective supply failing to meet the growing demand for insurance services, particularly in areas like health, retirement, and medical care [2]. - As of 2024, China's insurance penetration is projected to be 4.2%, significantly lower than the global average of 7%, indicating substantial growth potential for the industry [2]. - The insurance sector should focus on high-quality supply by optimizing products and services to bridge the gap between supply and demand [2]. Group 3: Enhancing Supply Quality - The insurance industry must enhance its proactive approach by focusing on the needs of the population, particularly in the aging demographic, to extend the elderly care service industry chain [3]. - There is a need to develop personalized insurance products and service packages that address specific demands in health management, rehabilitation, and mental well-being for the elderly [3]. - Insurance services are transitioning from merely existing to being of high quality, necessitating innovation in products and services to meet emerging consumer demands [3]. Group 4: Embracing Consumption Upgrade Trends - To boost consumption, the insurance industry must maintain its core focus on risk protection while also embracing trends in consumption upgrades through product innovation and service enhancement [4]. - The industry should leverage technology to optimize service experiences, utilizing big data and artificial intelligence to accurately identify user needs and simplify insurance processes [3][4]. - There is a focus on developing flexible payment and tailored insurance products for new economy workers and gig economy participants to fill existing coverage gaps [3].