Core Viewpoint - The emergence of "lightweight" critical illness insurance products by several property insurance companies represents a significant innovation in the health insurance sector, characterized by low prices and short terms, while offering coverage amounts that can reach millions [1][2]. Group 1: Product Characteristics - "Lightweight" critical illness insurance typically features low premiums, short-term coverage (usually one year), and high coverage amounts, often up to 1 million [2]. - For example, a one-year critical illness policy for a 6-year-old boy can have a coverage of 1 million with a monthly premium of only 19.05 yuan, while for a 43-year-old woman, the maximum coverage is limited to 600,000 yuan with a monthly premium of 180.42 yuan [2]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The introduction of short-term critical illness insurance aligns with regulatory policies and responds to market conditions, such as declining interest rates, which have made long-term insurance products more expensive [2][3]. - The shift in consumer preferences towards flexible and cost-effective products, particularly among younger generations, has driven the demand for "lightweight" critical illness insurance [3]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Property insurance companies are the primary innovators in the short-term critical illness insurance market, leveraging their expertise in short-term non-life insurance to enter this new growth area [3][4]. - The competitive landscape is evolving, with traditional critical illness insurance facing challenges from the new "lightweight" products, which may compel traditional life insurance companies to accelerate their product innovation [5]. Group 4: Future Trends - The introduction of "lightweight" critical illness insurance is expected to create a more diversified health insurance ecosystem, forming a multi-layered structure that includes million-dollar medical insurance as the base, long-term critical illness insurance as the core, and short-term critical illness insurance as a supplementary option [5]. - Future health insurance products are anticipated to exhibit differentiated layers, catering to various consumer needs and price sensitivities, potentially incorporating health management services for competitive differentiation [5][6]. Group 5: Operational Challenges - The "low premium, high leverage" model of short-term critical illness insurance poses operational challenges, such as attracting adverse selection and increasing claim rates, which may lead insurers to raise premiums or deny coverage [6]. - Insurers must balance strict risk control measures with consumer demands for simplicity and convenience, necessitating precise pricing, risk management, and service delivery [6].