China pushes insurers to tailor products for women

Local authorities were encouraged to reduce counter-guarantee requirements.

China introduced new measures covering artificial intelligence, energy and financial support for women, including guidance for insurers to develop products tailored to women's needs.

The People's Bank of China, the National Financial Regulatory Administration and the All-China Women's Federation jointly issued guidelines to strengthen financial support for women's employment and entrepreneurship.

The guidelines called for stronger financing support for business incubators and other entrepreneurial platforms to help women start new businesses. 

Local authorities are encouraged to improve guaranteed loan policies and reduce or remove counter-guarantee requirements for women entrepreneurs with good credit records.

The document also supports wider financing options for women-led businesses, including debt financing and supply-chain bill financing for eligible firms.

For the insurance sector, regulators are encouraging insurers to improve products based on women's needs by adjusting insured age limits, coverage periods and premium structures. Insurers are also encouraged to expand specialised cover for female-specific diseases.