Abstract: This study aimed to design and validate a meteorological index insurance scheme for Biluochun tea in Dongting mountains, Suzhou, to mitigate losses due to temperature extremes. Based on the daily temperature data (2010−2020) from the National Meteorological Observatory in Wuzhong district and the corresponding annual tea yield data in Dongshan town, induced hazard factors highly correlated with the relative meteorological yield of Biluochun tea were identified across its four critical growth periods. A comprehensive high−low temperature weather index (HLT) was constructed by integrating these factors. The insurance premium rate for this index was determined accordingly, and an insurance claim settlement scheme was then designed. The reasonableness of the proposed scheme was verified, demonstrating its potential to effectively compensate for the yield losses induced by temperature extremes. The results showed that the comprehensive high−low temperature weather index (HLT) showed a strong negative correlation with the relative meteorological yield of Biluochun tea (P＜0.01), with a correlation coefficient of −0.946, confirming the high sensitivity of the index in reflecting tea yield reduction rates. The relative meteorological yield of Biluochun tea was found to follow a Gen.extreme value distribution. Based on the probability density function and premium calculation formula, the pure premium rate was 4.63% and the gross premium rate 6.71%. The designed claimed settlement scheme defined six indemnity levels with corresponding compensation ratios of 1%, 5%, 15%, 20%, 38% and 45%. Validation using data from 2021 to 2024 showed a strong alignment between the simulated compensation ratios and the actual yield reduction rates. Over the period of 2011 to 2024, the average loss ratio was 74.5%. After accounting for the insurer's operational costs (approximately 20%), this translates to an average profit margin of about 5.5%, adhering to the "break−even with modest profit" principle. In addition, the average self−retention loss ratio was 372.5%, indicating that the scheme effectively safeguards the income of growers against losses. 

Key words: Dongting Biluochun, Growth period, Comprehensive high?low temperature weather index, Insurance claims settlement scheme