China: A woman in northwestern China has drawn public attention after successfully cashing in on an uncommon “love insurance” policy nearly a decade after purchasing it, following her marriage to her longtime partner.
The woman, identified by her surname Wu, bought the policy in 2016 as a symbolic gift for her boyfriend, Wang, after the two had already been dating for about a year. At the time, Wu paid 199 yuan for the policy, which was offered at a discounted rate, even though Wang initially doubted its legitimacy and suspected it might be a gimmick.
Wu and Wang first met during their secondary school years and later attended the same university, gradually developing a close bond. Their relationship officially began in 2015, a year before the policy was purchased.
The policy was issued by China Life Property and Casualty Insurance Company and carried a unique condition: if the couple legally married within ten years of the policy’s third anniversary, they would be eligible for a reward. The options included 10,000 roses, a diamond ring, or a cash payment of 10,000 yuan.
In October 2025, nearly ten years into their relationship, the couple registered their marriage, meeting the policy’s requirements. They opted for the cash reward, explaining that storing thousands of roses would have been impractical.
China Life later confirmed that the product had been withdrawn from the market in 2017, as regulators tightened oversight on non-traditional insurance offerings. However, the company noted that policies sold before the discontinuation remain valid and can still be claimed under their original terms.
News of the payout quickly spread online, prompting a wave of reactions on social media. Many users expressed surprise that such a policy ever existed, while others joked about missing the chance to insure their own relationships.
So-called “love insurance” products briefly gained popularity in China during the mid-2010s, often marketed as romantic gestures rather than financial safeguards. Unlike conventional insurance, these policies functioned more like symbolic promises or marketing tools tied to relationship milestones. Although most have since disappeared due to stricter regulations, occasional claims like Wu’s continue to surface, offering a glimpse into a short-lived trend in the country’s insurance market.
