» Currently browsing: Microinsurance


Tuesday, August 31, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: International Finance Corporation (IFC) and IFC African, Latin American and Caribbean Fund Make $75m Equity Investment in Insurance Sector Activities of Caribbean-based Guardian Holdings Limited

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank group that provides investment and advisory services to the private sector in developing countries, recently announced a USD 75 million equity investment in Guardian Holdings Limited (GHL), a financial services group based in Trinidad & Tobago that operates throughout the Caribbean. Continue Reading »



Thursday, August 26, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Allianz Plans to Offer Savings-Linked Microinsurance Scheme in Indonesia, World Markets

Allianz, a global financial services company focused on insurance, is re-calibrating its microinsurance schemes to incorporate savings. Continue Reading »



Thursday, August 26, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: South Africa to Expand Microinsurance Sector with New “Mzansi-type” Insurance Product

The South Africa Treasury and Financial Services Board recently announced it will introduce legislation with the intention of expanding the reach of insurance products to the low-income population. Continue Reading »



Tuesday, August 10, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Dr V Renganatha of Vaatsalya Healthcare Solutions, India, Discusses Microinsurance Scheme, Pitfalls of Selling Insurance via Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) with Economic Times (ET)

In an interview with business newspaper, Economic Times (ET), co-founder and vice president of Vaatsalya Healthcare Solutions Dr V Renganathan discussed the microinsurance scheme for which he is seeking a grant. He asserts that the plan will offer low-income Indian consumers both hospital care as well as out-patient consultation. Continue Reading »



Thursday, August 5, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Kenya Insurance Regulation May Have Negative Impact on Microinsurers

Recent regulatory changes by Kenya’s Insurance Regulatory Authority that require an increase in the capital of insurance companies and the separation of life insurance business from general business could negatively impact the reach and volume of microinsurance in Kenya. Continue Reading »



Thursday, August 5, 2010

MICROCAPITAL EVENT: C5’s Second Annual Microinsurance Summit, London, UK, September 29-30, 2010

Event Name: Microinsurance Summit, London, UK, September 29-30, 2010 Continue Reading »



Monday, July 12, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: India’s Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Launches Consumer Protection Regulation

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), India’s insurance regulator, recently announced several draft insurance regulations, with the aim of reducing “unfair practices” and closing an “information gap,” according to A. Giridhar, executive director of IRDA. Continue Reading »



Wednesday, July 7, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Jordan’s Microfund for Women Launches Gender-Sensitive Microinsurance Product, Caregiver, in Partnership with Women’s World Banking (WWB)

Jordan’s Microfund for Women (MFW), a Jordanian microfinance program for women, has recently launched a microinsurance product, CareGiver, with its partner Women’s World Bank (WWB). The insurance policies are being provided to MFW borrowers, who pay a monthly premium with their loan repayment. Continue Reading »



Tuesday, July 6, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: The 37th Annual African Insurance Conference Concludes Microinsurance Represents “Blue Ocean of Opportunities,” but Requires Oversight

Daily Independent, a Nigerian newspaper, reports from the 37th Annual African Insurance Conference in Banjul, the Gambia, that African microfinance prospects look bright, but some are concerned about transparency issues. Continue Reading »



Friday, July 2, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Bharti AXA General Insurance Predicts 70 Percent Rise in Turnover from Collaboration with Indian Microfinance Institutions Anjali Microfinance and Arohan Financial Services

In a release from BusinessStandard.com, an online publication of business news in India, it was reported that Bharti AXA General Insurance, an Indian insurance provider, predicts its turnover will increase 70 percent in the next fiscal year, 2010-2011 as a result of distributing its products through microfinance institutions (MFIs). While it is cited that more than 55 percent of the company’s premium revenue comes from motor insurance, it predicts expansion in the microinsurance sector will boost overall revenue. Continue Reading »



Monday, June 28, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: As Kenyan Insurers Look to Follow Microfinance Lead, Equity Bank and Safaricom Collaborate to Expand Mobile Payment Methods to Microinsurance

According to BusinessDailyAfrica, a news website based in Nairobi, Kenyan insurers are looking to reach the low-end income market through intermediaries such as microfinance institutions (MFIs), sometimes via customers’ mobile phones. Equity Bank, a Kenyan microfinance bank, and Safaricom, a provider of communication services, have launched a mobile-based platform that will allow users to make weekly insurance payments of about KES 10.2 (USD 0.13) to Equity Bank via mobile phone. While an insurance company partner has not been chosen, eight companies have been selected to bid on the right to participate. Continue Reading »



Wednesday, June 16, 2010

MICROCAPITAL EVENT: Sixth International MicroInsurance Conference, Manila, Philippines, November 9-11, 2010

Event Name: Sixth International Microinsurance Conference
Event Date: November 9-11, 2010
Event Location: Hotel Intercontinental, Manila, Philippines
See Our Comprehensive Event Calendar Here:
http://microfinanceassociation.ning.com/events Continue Reading »



Wednesday, June 16, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microinsurance Network Technology Working Group to Launch Online Microinsurance Technology Inventory

The Microinsurance Network Technology Working Group, a branch of the Microinsurance Network that focuses on technology as a means of increasing access to insurance in developing countries, is launching an online microinsurance technology inventory. Continue Reading »



Friday, June 11, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Finance Minister of India Asks Insurance Agencies to Provide Microinsurance in Rural Areas

Pranab Makherjee, Finance Minister of India, has asked insurance agencies to provide more microinsurance services to people living in rural areas. He made this request when speaking at an inaugural ceremony for the Insurance Institute of India, formerly known as The Federation of Insurance Institutes. Continue Reading »



Thursday, June 10, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microinsurance Network Holds First Member Meeting in Germany, Cites Client Protection, Social Performance, Climate Change as Challenges

The Microinsurance Network held its first member meeting in Germany on June 2-3, 2010. Continue Reading »



Friday, May 21, 2010

SPECIAL REPORT: Interview with Dirk Reinhard, Vice Chairman of the Munich Re Foundation and Member of the Executive Committee of the Microinsurance Network

Thank you to the Microinsurance Network for permission to reprint its recent interview with Dirk Reinhard, instigator of the International Microinsurance Conferences:

In light of the upcoming 6th International Microinsurance Conference taking place between 9-11 November in Manila, Philippines, Dirk Reinhard, Vice Chairman of the Munich Re Foundation and member of the Executive Committee of the Microinsurance Network, answers a few questions regarding the past, present and future of this pioneering conference.

Microinsurance Network: How did the first International Microinsurance Conference come about in Munich? What were the aims of this conference and who were behind it?

Dirk Reinhard: Munich Re – which founded the Munich Re Foundation in April 2005 – concerns itself with the great challenges facing the world today – population growth, globalisation, diminishing resources, environmental pollution and climate change. Continue Reading »



Tuesday, May 18, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: A New Study Published by the Microinsurance Innovation Facility of the International Labour Office Indicates 2.1% of the Potential African Market Is Covered by Insurance

According to a recent study entitled “The Landscape of Microinsurance in Africa” published by the Microinsurance Innovation Facility of the International Labour Office (ILO) 2.1 percent of Africa’s 700 million working poor have insurance coverage. The study found that, assuming a feasible insurance coverage level of five percent of gross domestic product (GDP), the potential size of the microinsurance market would be USD 25 billion, as compared to the current market size of USD 257 million. Continue Reading »



Wednesday, May 12, 2010

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Business Daily Africa Article Claims Kenyan Insurance Companies are Looking to Microinsurance to Boost Profits

A recent article in the Nairobi-based Business Daily Africa newspaper stated that insurance companies in Kenya are increasingly looking towards microinsurance ventures to boost their profits. Continue Reading »