Unusual insurance packages will pay out to disappointed sky gazers

Moonstruck romantics can rest assured if they are insured.

It is now possible to take out an insurance policy for the moon to appear at Mid-Autumn Festival that won't cost the Earth.

Taobao and Allianz jointly roll out a new product that puts a lighter spin on insurance for Mid-Autumn Festival. Wei Xiaohao / China Daily

A new product, jointly rolled out by China's largest online marketplace Taobao and German insurer Allianz, will compensate policyholders if they are unable to enjoy full moon gazing.

Insurance packages, priced at 20 yuan ($3.27) or 99 yuan each, were launched on Monday and will available until Sunday on Taobao, Jiang Xing, head of Taobao's insurance business unit in Shanghai said.

For 20 yuan, you can bet that it will be a moonless night in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Moonless, for this purpose, means the moon will not be visible to the naked eye. The final arbiter to rule on the moon's visibility will be the China Meteorological Administration.

If the moon is not visible, those holding 20 yuan policies will receive 50 yuan in return.

Other cities are also available to bet on.

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