6th International Microinsurance Conference 2010

From 9 to 11 November 2010, the 6th 6th International Microinsurance Conference 2010 will take place in Manila, Philippines.This event is hosted by the Munich Re Foundation and the Microinsurance Network supported by GTZ/BMZ, the Department of Finance of the Philippines and Georgia State University s Center for the Economic Analysis of Risk.

Target audience
Around 500 participants and experts from around the world will exchange experiences and discuss the challenges of microinsurance. They include representatives from insurance and reinsurance companies, international organisations, NGOs, development-aid agencies, academics, policymakers, regulators and supervisors.

Structure and goal of the conference
The conference will have plenary panel discussions on key topics addressing an interdisciplinary audience. Parallel working group sessions will deal in depth with different subtopics. Interactive sessions of approximately 90 minutes are a key part of the conference, facilitating dialogue in small groups on emerging issues.

Themes To cover subjects with current and interesting content, the conference organisers are announcing a call for proposals on the following themes:

1) Scientific track Economic analysis of microinsurance markets
Together with the Center for the Economic Analysis of Risk, the 6th International Microinsurance Conference 2010 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:

• The failure of insurers to increase take up rates in some microinsurance schemes, and what can be done to improve the design and performance of other schemes.
• The design of controlled experiments to evaluate alternative microinsurance schemes.
• Effective control of adverse selection and moral hazard in microinsurance schemes.
• Impact of microinsurance on health, economic and social outcomes.
• Relationship between microinsurance and investment incentives.
• Effectiveness and sustainability of microinsurance schemes.
• Distribution mechanisms.
• Informal risk sharing mechanisms and the interplay with and transition to formal markets forcoping with risk.
• Consumer literacy and understanding with respect to concepts on insurance Consumer protection in microinsurance markets.
• Relationship to microfinance programs.
• Regulatory policy that leads to improvement in outcomes.

2) Case studies on innovative and sustainable microinsurance programmes and/or products
Submissions must include solid data providing evidence of the execution of the programme including key performance indicators. Preference is given to submissions focusing on a range of challenges and solutions, highlighting the role of the different stakeholders involved.

3) Thematic issues
Submissions are also requested on the following topics of particular interest to the organisers:

a) New distribution channels
Microfinance institutions are perhaps the most common form of distribution for microinsurance, but through what other channels does insurance reach low-income households? Submissions that compare the relative effectiveness of different distribution channels are particularly relevant.

b) Claims handling
The real meaning of microinsurance occurs when a claim is paid, but how can microinsurers ensure that happens quickly? How can they ensure that the claim is not rejected? Submissions should outline the terms and conditions that work best for insurer and client, what redress is available and effective, and how the community contributes to claims processing.

c) Strategies to develop microinsurance
An enabling environment is key for the development of microinsurance. The submissions should include the role of policymakers and regulators to include a more inclusive insurance market.

d) Microinsurance solutions for natural disasters
The devastation of Haiti in January 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? Submissions should focus on experience linked to implementation and learning relevant to coverage for co-variant risks.

e) Insurance literacy
The low-income market often does not understand insurance, so how do microinsurance providers overcome this problem? Preferred submissions would include cost-benefit analysis to assess the effectiveness of consumer education methods.

f) Takaful microinsurance
Is microinsurance relevant for low-income Muslims? Organisers are interested in examples of effective takaful microinsurance, with details about pricing, benefits and management processes.

Submission of proposals:

• All session proposals will be reviewed by the conference steering committee.
• To submit a proposal, please complete the proposal form.
• Kindly note that no other format can be accepted.
• Theme 2 and 3: Please submit proposals electronically to info@munichre-foundation.org as file attachment in Acrobat (.pdf) or Word(.doc) format by May 31, 2010.
• Theme 1: Please submit proposals electronically to cear@gsu.edu as file attachment in Acrobat (.pdf) or Word(.doc) format by June 30, 2010.

Conference language
English

Timeline and acceptance

Submission deadline:
31.5.2010 (Theme 2 and 3)
30.6.2010 (Theme 1 - Scientific track)

Notification of acceptance:31.7.2010
Submission of completed papers (theme 1 only):15.9.2010
Submissions of presentations for the conference: 30.9.2010
Please note that the submission deadline is final.
Dates to remember Start of registration: 1.8.2010

If you would like to receive information on the upcoming 6th International Microinsurance Conference 2010, please send us an email to:

info@munichre-foundation.org