Abstract: Meteorological disasters are one of the major risks to agricultural production, causing huge losses to agriculture. Agricultural insurance is an important part of the agricultural security system and can effectively spread agricultural risks and losses. Weather index insurance, which emerged in the late 1990s, has received a lot of attention, research, and applications due to its objectivity, standardization, and robust liquidity. In this paper, authors analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of weather index insurance compared to traditional agricultural insurance. The development of weather index insurance technology at home and abroad was reviewed. Authors introduced the development and practical application of weather index insurance model for Anhui grain crops (winter wheat, one season rice, summer corn), and discussed and prospected the future development of weather index insurance.

Key words: Weather index insurance, Agriculture, Disaster, Risk assessment, Climate change