Following the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak ("Covid-19"), WeSure, Tencent's insurance platform, swiftly established an emergency response team to provide real-time information to users, and introduced multiple insurance plans designed to protect those who may be affected.

WeSure's Covid-19 response team was assembled in early January 2020. On January 29, WeSure offered its first Covid-19 coverage, free of charge, to front-line medical workers providing up to 600,000 CNY upon Covid-19 diagnosis. Over 100,000 medical professionals across China signed up for the plan within just one week.

On February 1, WeSure and WeChat Pay partnered up to provide insurance targeting small and medium business owners affected by Covid-19. Any merchants who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 will receive 1,000 CNY a day to offset losses from business disruption.

On February 5, WeSure was the first to open up Covid-19 coverage to all WeChat users with a minimum 10,000 CNY cash compensation. The first of its kind on the market, users can sign up for the universal insurance for free by accessing WeSure's service within WeChat.

"During these critical times, WeSure remains more committed than ever to protecting China's medical workers and the broader public. Our full support is behind the fight against Covid-19," said Mr. Alan Lau, CEO of WeSure. "Our team worked non-stop, many from remote locations while on leave outside of Shenzhen during the Chinese New Year break, to respond with products and services that meet the needs of medical workers, patients and the broader public. In a crisis like this one, Internet has a bigger role to play than ever. Social distancing is critical to curbing Covid-19 spread. With a smartphone in hand, users can sign up for our insurance plans by accessing our Mini-Program inside WeChat, 24/7, wherever they are."

Covid-19 coverage for diagnosed medical workers

Launched on January 29 together with AXA and DingXiangYuan, WeSure's Covid-19 medical worker insurance plan is the first in the market that pays a cash compensation upon diagnosis.

Medical workers at specified primary and secondary public hospitals, treatment centers, and pharmacies are eligible to sign up for WeSure's Covid-19 coverage for free.

Medical workers may submit a claim for up to 100,000 CNY after Covid-19 diagnosis. Family of medical workers may submit a claim for up to 500,000 CNY following death caused by Covid-19.

Through WeSure's Mini-Program on WeChat, the insured users can submit claims online. So far, 50 claims have been settled with cash compensation made to diagnosed doctors and nurses.