Chinese insurer views SMS as useful tool
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-07-22 14:17

Mobile phone text messaging, often called short message service (SMS), has been employed by a Chinese insurance company as a marketing tool.

The Beijing Branch of the China Pacific Life Insurance Co., Ltd. has launched a service that allows people to buy short-term accidental injury insurance by sending short messages via mobile phones, according to an official with the company on Thursday.

Send specific codes and personal information to the number 7777 and wait for a reply message, which asks for confirmation. Send back the confirmation message and the deal is done, according to instructions on the company's website.

The premium is paid automatically by a bank account linked with the phone number, a combination nicknamed "mobile phone wallet."

The official with the insurance company acknowledged that the advantage of the new service lies in its convenience and efficiency. It saves a lot of time for frequent travelers in particular.

SMS has adopted multifold functions in China. Besides SMS chatting, it is also used to receive news and daily information, such as daily weather forecasts and train schedules. It also warns car owners of ongoing theft and credit card owners of unusual money withdrawal.

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