COVID-19 and the Insurance Industry: Why a Gender-Sensitive Response Matters. This guidance note explores how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the gender gap in insurance access and services. It identifies four key areas where applying a gender lens can improve customer-centricity: operational practices, brand communication, product innovation, and new distribution channels. With practical insights from IFC's Women's Insurance Program, the paper offers a roadmap for insurers to better serve women during and beyond crisis periods.

MicroEnsure bundled insurance with mobile loans and airtime in 15 countries. By 2016, this model had scaled to reach over 40 million clients and included 200+ insurance products. It illustrates a high-impact approach to mobile-enabled microinsurance delivery with large-scale outreach.

Insurance automation initiative led by Lead Foundation in Egypt, exploring how digital systems can enhance access to inclusive life insurance. The case outlines the broader poverty and economic context, key capacity-building interventions, implementation strategy, and an honest reflection on both the successes and challenges faced. It also discusses project outcomes and lessons learned, offering a blueprint for tech-enabled insurance in underserved regions.

WFP and UNCDF piloted cyclone parametric insurance in Fiji for ~325 vulnerable households. This macro–micro model enabled payouts via mobile wallets within 3–5 days after disasters, offering financial protection to the poorest social welfare recipients.

A snapshot of global microinsurance market trends, products, client types and regional performance, based on landscape studies.