Summer heatwaves bring surge in heat-related illnesses; 'Climate Insurance' emerges as safety net

As South Korea grapples with relentless heatwaves, Gyeonggi Province's pioneering "Climate Insurance" is emerging as a critical social safety net. The program, launched nationwide for the first time, aims to support residents suffering from climate change-induced health issues. As of early August, the province had recorded 612 heat-related illnesses and two fatalities, with a severe heat warning in effect across most areas.

The "Climate Insurance" covers all 14.4 million residents of Gyeonggi Province, including registered foreigners. The provincial government fully subsidizes the premiums, meaning residents are automatically enrolled and eligible for compensation without any separate application process. The insurance period runs from April 11, 2024, to April 10, 2025.

Benefits include 150,000 won for heatstroke or cold-related illness diagnoses, 200,000 won for specific climate-related infectious diseases, and 300,000 won as consolation money for climate-related accidents requiring over four weeks of treatment. A new death benefit of 3 million won is also provided for climate-related fatalities, excluding certain conditions. Emergency room visits due to heatstroke or cold are also covered.

An additional layer of support is available for climate-vulnerable groups, including pregnant women. They can receive daily hospital stay benefits of 100,000 won (up to five days) and 20,000 won per outpatient visit (up to five visits) for heatstroke or cold-related illnesses. The insurance can be claimed in conjunction with other personal insurance policies. As of early August, 347 claims had been processed, primarily for heatstroke diagnoses.

Meanwhile, Jeju Province is set to launch its own climate insurance scheme in late July to protect construction day laborers from heat-related income loss. This program will compensate for lost wages when work is suspended due to extreme heat warnings. The compensation will be calculated based on the hourly wage for general construction laborers.

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As climate crises such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall become commonplace due to the climate crisis, we urge everyone who has suffered health damage due to heatwaves or heavy rainfall and received medical treatment to check if they are eligible for Gyeonggi Climate Insurance and receive the necessary support.