Disaster Insurance for the Poor? A review of microinsurance for natural disaster risks in developing countries

Content:

This study provides an in-depth review of microinsurance by analysing a range of case studies and examining the benefits and limitations of microinsurance. The results of the study show clear evidence of the value and potential of microinsurance in transferring risk and protecting low-income households and businesses against disaster losses. Microinsurance can provide access to post-disaster liquidity, thus protecting assets and livelihoods as well as providing funds for reconstruction. As insured households are more creditworthy, insurance can also promote investments in productive assets, for example higher-risk/higher-yield crops. Moreover, insurance can encourage investment in disaster prevention if insurers offer lower premiums to reward risk-reducing behaviour. Thus the study suggests microinsurance can be considered as an effective risk-transfer mechanism and an integral part of an overall disaster risk management strategy. However, the long-term viability of such programmes, particularly in the face of large covariant losses, is still to be determined. The study concludes with a number of key challenges and next steps for the evolving microinsurance agenda.

Author:

Reinhard Mechler and Joanne Linnerooth-Bayer with David Peppiatt

Organisation:

IIASA / ProVention Consortium

Details:

pdf, 0.5MB

Language:

English