COVID-19’s present and foreseeable social and economic impacts are a call to invigorate and recalibrate discussions to address social inequality. Our research illustrates that private insurance can alleviate social inequality by covering exposures that may push middle-class individuals and families into poverty or perpetuate poverty for low-income households. The report points to specific insurance products and approaches that mitigate the risks of impoverishment and/or contribute to more stable levels of wealth and income. It also encourages new public-private partnerships that leverage insurance as a critical part of the social safety net.