Core Points - The recent bankruptcy of a major insurance company has raised concerns among policyholders regarding the status of their insurance policies and the recovery of their funds [1][3] - This marks the third insurance company bankruptcy in China, with the previous two occurring in 2012 and 2018, highlighting the rarity of such events in the insurance industry [3][4] - The bankruptcy was attributed to aggressive investment strategies and improper related-party transactions, leading to a liquidity crisis [3][4] Summary by Sections Bankruptcy Overview - As of June 2025, there are 178 insurance companies in China, with three having declared bankruptcy [3] - Insurance companies are subject to strict solvency regulations, requiring a solvency ratio of at least 100% [3] - The recent bankruptcy has caused significant market disruption, given the company's management of assets totaling 2 trillion yuan and millions of clients [1][3] Policyholder Rights and Protections - There are several potential outcomes for policyholders when an insurance company goes bankrupt: 1. **Policy Transfer**: Regulatory authorities may transfer policies to a stronger insurance company, maintaining the original terms [4][6] 2. **Cash Value Return**: If no transfer is possible, policyholders may receive the cash value of their policies, which is typically lower than the total premiums paid [4][6] 3. **Insurance Guarantee Fund**: The fund can compensate up to 90% of the policy reserve for personal insurance policies, with a maximum limit of 100,000 yuan per policyholder [6][7] 4. **Bankruptcy Liquidation**: If other options fail, policyholders can participate in the bankruptcy proceedings as creditors, but recovery may be limited [7][8] Historical Context and Data - In previous bankruptcy cases, approximately 85% of valid policies were successfully transferred to other insurers [4] - The recent bankrupt insurance company has an estimated asset coverage ratio of 65%, indicating that policyholders may only recover a portion of their claims through liquidation [7] Recommendations for Policyholders - Policyholders are advised to stay calm and monitor official communications regarding their rights and the status of their policies [7][8] - It is essential to gather and retain all relevant policy documents for future reference [7][8] - Evaluating insurance needs and considering additional coverage may be necessary if existing policies are affected [7][8] Lessons for Future Insurance Purchases - Consumers should assess the financial health and solvency ratios of insurance companies before purchasing policies, with a recommendation to choose companies with a solvency ratio above 150% [10][11] - The operational history and brand reputation of insurance companies are critical indicators of stability [10][11] - Diversifying insurance purchases across different companies can mitigate risks associated with a single company's potential failure [11][12] - Overall, the insurance industry in China remains stable, with a solvency ratio of 244.3% reported in the first quarter of 2025 [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - The recent bankruptcies of three insurance companies do not affect the validity of existing policies, as the government has established mechanisms to protect policyholders' rights and ensure continuity of coverage [1][2]. Group 1: Company Bankruptcies - Three insurance companies have officially exited the market: - Chubb Insurance Co. was approved for dissolution, with all its insurance business and liabilities transferred to Huatai Insurance, ensuring existing policies remain valid [1]. - Yi'an Property Insurance entered bankruptcy reorganization, continuing operations during the process and later rebranded as BYD Property Insurance, maintaining policy obligations [1]. - Anbang Insurance Group announced its dissolution, with all policies assumed by the People’s Insurance Group, ensuring full payment of 1.5 trillion yuan in short-term investment insurance without any defaults [2]. Group 2: National Safety Nets - The government has established two key mechanisms to safeguard policyholder interests: - Legal mandates require that life insurance policies must be transferred to another insurer in the event of a company’s dissolution, ensuring that policy responsibilities are maintained [4]. - A guarantee fund of 243.1 billion yuan is in place to support policyholders in case of insurance company failures, providing an additional layer of security [4]. Group 3: Compensation Rules - Different insurance types have specific compensation standards: - Life insurance policies are fully guaranteed, with the insurance guarantee fund providing financial support to the acquiring company, ensuring no claims are denied due to company issues [5]. - For property insurance, personal policies under 50,000 yuan are fully compensated, while those above receive 90% compensation; for businesses, policies under 500,000 yuan are fully compensated, and those above receive 80% [5]. - Investment-type insurance, such as Anbang's, is fully compensated by the acquiring company, with no defaults reported [5]. Group 4: Practical Advice - To ensure policy safety, individuals can take the following steps: - Check the policy status through official channels to confirm the operating status of the insurance company [6]. - Focus on the solvency ratio when purchasing insurance, ensuring it meets regulatory standards [6]. - Avoid relying solely on the reputation of large companies, as all insurers are subject to the same regulatory framework [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the reality of insurance company bankruptcies in China, emphasizing the importance of consumer awareness and risk identification in the face of potential financial instability within insurance firms [1][12]. Group 1: Industry Overview - As of June 2025, there are over 170 insurance companies in China, managing insurance funds exceeding 25 trillion yuan, which is critical for many families' financial security [3]. - Recent years have seen several insurance companies, such as Dongfang Life and Anbang Insurance, face bankruptcy or government takeover, highlighting the inherent risks in the insurance sector [1][3]. Group 2: Risk Identification - Understanding the nature and process of insurance company bankruptcies is crucial, as these events typically result from long-term mismanagement and financial instability [3][5]. - Key indicators for assessing an insurance company's risk include solvency ratios, shareholder background, operational performance, and public sentiment [5][6][11]. - The average solvency ratio for Chinese insurance companies was 235.7% as of Q1 2025, significantly above the 100% minimum requirement, but companies below 150% should be closely monitored [5]. Group 3: Consumer Strategies - Consumers should remain calm and avoid hasty decisions if their insurance company shows signs of financial trouble, as policies are not immediately voided upon government intervention [7][10]. - It is advisable for consumers to stay informed through official announcements from regulatory bodies regarding their insurance company's status [7][10]. - Establishing a diversified insurance portfolio can mitigate risks associated with relying on a single company [8][10]. Group 4: Choosing Insurance Companies - When selecting an insurance provider, consumers should prioritize large, stable companies with strong capital and risk management capabilities [10][11]. - The top ten insurance companies in China hold over 65% of the market share, indicating a concentration of stability within the industry [10]. - Companies that focus on their core insurance business rather than diversifying into high-risk areas tend to be more reliable [11].

Core Viewpoint - The safety of health insurance companies is comparable to that of life insurance companies, with both types of insurance being regulated under the Insurance Law, ensuring that policies typically remain valid even if the company goes bankrupt [1][3][6] Group 1: Coverage and Product Differences - Health insurance companies focus on personal health-related products such as medical insurance, critical illness insurance, disability income loss insurance, and nursing insurance, while life insurance companies offer a broader range of products including life insurance, annuities, savings insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance [1][2] - There is some overlap in the products offered by both types of companies, as life insurance companies in China are permitted to sell certain health-related insurance products, subject to regulatory requirements [1][2] Group 2: Underwriting Conditions - Health insurance companies impose stricter underwriting conditions, often requiring detailed health assessments and having lower age limits for applicants, while life insurance companies generally have more lenient health requirements and higher age limits [2][3] Group 3: Bankruptcy Mechanisms - In the event of bankruptcy, life insurance contracts and reserves must be transferred to other life insurance companies, ensuring continuity of coverage for policyholders [3][4] - For health insurance companies, the treatment of policies depends on whether they are classified as long-term or short-term products; long-term health insurance policies typically remain valid even after bankruptcy, while short-term policies may enter liquidation [4][5] Group 4: Regulatory Protections - Both life and health insurance companies are required to contribute to an insurance guarantee fund, which provides relief to policyholders in the event of company bankruptcy [3][4] - The guarantee fund covers personal losses, with full compensation for amounts below 50,000 yuan and 90% compensation for amounts above that threshold in the case of short-term health insurance policies [4][5] Group 5: Overall Safety and Confidence - The probability of bankruptcy for both life and health insurance companies is low, and regulatory bodies are in place to ensure that policyholders' rights are protected, reinforcing confidence in the insurance system [6]