Insurance can contribute to a number of public policy objectives, including improving access to health care, increasing food security, and coping with climate change. There is therefore a public policy rationale to invest in the development of efficient insurance markets that provide equitable access to low-income households. Briefing Note #22 presents a framework and lessons from nine subsidized insurance schemes for governments and donors on how to effectively design and implement “smart” subsidies for agriculture and health microinsurance.

This study was partly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), which promotes insurance approaches within comprehensive systems of social protection and inclusive financial systems.