Publication database

After two decades of experience, VimoSEWA had serious concerns about rising costs and slow growth in its voluntary microinsurance scheme. So it began an ambitious programme of changes to its structure, culture, products, operations, and monitoring and evaluation. Microinsurance paper #25 reflects the tensions faced by an organization trying to be socially focused and financially viable, and demonstrates how a resilient attitude can spur resurgence.

SAJIDA has consistently found ways to improve the value of its product for clients. From faster claims to community health workers, find out in Case Brief #3 how it uses the PACE tool to identify improvements.

ITGI piloted radio frequency identification devices to address problems with claims. It used the introduction as an opportunity to change its processes. Find out how these changes allowed it to better serve its clients and improve the viability of the scheme in Case Brief #2.

Child labour is a common consequence of economic shocks in developing countries. Research Paper #32 explores how reducing vulnerability through insurance impacts child labour and schooling. Using the case of a health and accident insurance scheme by a Pakistani microfinance institution, the study finds that increased insurance coverage results in lower incidence of child labour and reduced earnings from child labour. The effect is largely attributed to an ex-ante feeling of protection as opposed to a shock-mitigation effect.

Value-added services are an increasingly important component of health microinsurance. Though evidence on their impact is limited, they demonstrate potential to increase demand and improve health outcomes. Briefing Note #16 provides an overview of current developments, highlights the experiences of those already providing them, and points to the potential they hold.

Research Paper #29 attempts to understand the factors underlying the low take up and renewal rates frequently observed in insurance programmes in poor countries. Based on experience in India, the findings suggest that deficient information about the insurance product and the functioning of the scheme, poor understanding of the insurance concept, and the resulting low use of the insurance products by eligible households are some of the main causes of low enrolment and renewal rates. 

Research Paper #30 presents the results of a randomized control trial that evaluated the impact of CARE Foundation´s out-patient insurance cards. The insurance product encouraged more frequent visits to community health workers, leading to earlier identification of illnesses and more timely referrals to a doctor or hospital. Since patients were treated at an earlier stage, they spent fewer days in hospital and costs were lower. In the project, community health workers were trained and deployed in villages to offer preventive care consultations, make referrals to a doctor when needed, and sell outpatient health insurance. 

Value-added services are an increasingly important component of health microinsurance. Though evidence on their impact is limited, they demonstrate potential to increase demand and improve health outcomes. Microinsurance Paper #19 provides an overview of current developments, highlights the experiences of those already providing them, and points to the potential they hold.