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7th International Microinsurance Conference Call for proposals
The 2011 conference will take place from 8-10 November, 2011 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is hosted by the Munich Re Foundation and the Microinsurance Network with support of CnSeg, GIZ/BMZ and Georgia State University’s Center for the Economic Analysis of Risk (CEAR). (The General Assembly of the Microinsurance Network will be held on the 11th November 2011!)
The organisers have launched the call for presentation proposals on the following themes:
1) Scientific track – Economic analysis of microinsurance markets
Together with the Center for the Economic Analysis of Risk, the International Microinsurance Conference will have a scientific track to encourage rigorous economic analysis of microinsurance markets. Empirical, theoretical and policy-oriented papers are invited on topics such as:
- Appropriate benchmarks to measure the success of microinsurance programmes
- Optimal contract design to control adverse selection and moral hazard
- Documenting impact and customer value
- Effectiveness and sustainability
- Distribution mechanisms
- Transitioning from informal to formal risk-sharing mechanisms
- Crowding out, and crowding in, of alternative risk-management mechanisms
- Regulation, supervision and policy
2) Case studies of innovative and viable client-centred microinsurance solutions
In theory, insurance should enable low-income households to manage risks more efficiently, but does that occur in practice? How can microinsurers design products that meet the needs of low-income households, provide them with good value for their money, while still being viable? Preferred submissions would explore ways in which products can be adapted to ensure that they benefit the target market and/or highlight innovative approaches to manage large numbers of small-ticket policies. Submissions must include solid data providing evidence of the execution of the programme.
3) Thematic issues
- National and regional strategies to develop microinsurance
An enabling environment is key for the development of microinsurance. At the same time, consumer protection is of particular interest. Submissions should consider the role of policymakers, regulators and supervisors for a more inclusive insurance market, and their efforts to reform insurance markets to make them more accessible for the low-income segment.
- Distribution and demand
The distribution of microinsurance to low-income households, and the corresponding challenges involved in stimulating demand, remain two key hurdles to overcome. How can insurers and distribution channels collaborate more effectively? What are successful strategies for training and rewarding frontline staff? How can distribution channels sell insurance while educating the market? Submissions comparing the effectiveness of different approaches are particularly relevant.
- Technology to achieve scale and efficiency
For microinsurance to be viable, it needs to efficiently reach large numbers of low-income people. Many microinsurers have high hopes for the role that technology (e.g. mobile phones, portable devices, smart cards, internet, etc.) can play in achieving that objective. How can technology contribute to effective claims handling and help to reach out to potential customers? What role does it play in consumer education? Presentations should focus on how microinsurance providers followed a practical process to arrive at the identification of the “suitable” technology. Submissions must include information and data about the costs and benefits of making such an investment, an assessment of the breakeven required in terms of premium turnover and/or number of clients as well as a cost-benefit analysis to assess the effectiveness of consumer education methods.
- Protecting the poor against natural disasters
The devastation of Haiti and Pakistan in 2010 has raised awareness about the importance of microinsurance and disasters, but can microinsurance really make a difference in the event of earthquakes, droughts, floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters? How can it be sustainable and affordable? What is the environment in which a PPP can work effectively? Submissions should focus on experience linked to implementation and learning relevant to coverage for co-variant risks.
To submit a proposal, please complete the proposal form*. Kindly note that no other format can be accepted.
Please e-mail the proposal until 31.5.2011 to: info@munichre-foundation.org
*To submit a proposal on Theme 1, please attach an electronic version of the paper as a file attachment in Acrobat (.pdf) or Word (.doc) format.
For more information, click here
Day 3 of the Microinsurance Debate: Benefits and gaps in PPP knowledge
The last day of the Microinsurance Debate will focus on the benefits and gaps in PPP knowledge. Today's questions are:
- Who are those that benefit from PPP? And how?
- Is there a need for more innovative products? If so, what kind?
- Is there a need to further develop delivery channels? If so, how?
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Day 2 of the Microinsurance Debate: The different PPP models
Today's questions in the Microinsurance Debate are:
- What are the success factors to make a PPP work?
- What advantages and obstacles exist in the different types of partnerships?
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