MANILA, Philippines — CashKO, the microinsurance subsidiary of Philippine InsurTech firm RuralNet, is scaling its calamity microinsurance program nationwide to provide an immediate financial safety net for underserved Filipino households. This comes as heavy monsoon rains and destructive typhoons continue to inundate communities across the country.
The service expansion comes as the need for faster disaster protection has become increasingly urgent. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) data revealed that about 7.5 million people were affected by the combined effects of tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng, and the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” alone, leaving them vulnerable to risks of income and livelihood disruptions. Subsequently, these natural disasters also increase risks for Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which may face payment challenges and greater exposure across their lending portfolios.
During his speech at the 2026 Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc. (MCPI) annual conference, Justin Arcenas, President and CEO of CashKO Insurance Brokerage, emphasized that demand for financial protection is evident in 2024 survey data showing 87% of MFI borrowers expressing interest in calamity protection and identifying typhoons as their primary concern.
Addressing these vulnerabilities, CashKO is expanding its calamity protection plans through RuralNet’s digital, API-driven platform. By integrating directly into partner financial systems, CashKO delivers a “made-to-measure” microinsurance model that tailors coverage parameters, payout thresholds, and loan integration to fit the specific needs and risk profiles of each partner organization’s members. This model facilitates rapid emergency liquidity when disasters hit, building on the success of an initial pilot that delivered critical relief payouts to victims of Typhoons Tino and Uwan.
To balance thorough loss verification with immediate emergency needs, CashKO’s scaled program combines traditional indemnity insurance with an upcoming parametric insurance model. The indemnity insurance, which is currently available, provides payouts based on verified damage to a policyholder’s home, supported by photos and required documentation. This provides a familiar claims-based approach, but large-scale disasters can make individual damage assessment and documentation more challenging as claim volumes increase.
Meanwhile, CashKO will launch its parametric insurance program in Q4, which will introduce a faster way of responding to certain disaster events. Rather than assessing individual losses before a payout can be triggered, parametric coverage uses predefined disaster conditions, such as typhoon category or earthquake magnitude. Supported by satellite and ground-station data, payouts can be activated once the agreed thresholds are reached, reducing the need for lengthy individual claims assessments.
“For vulnerable communities, the value of insurance is measured by how quickly and effectively it can help them recover when disaster strikes. By combining indemnity and parametric protection, we can offer borrowers and financial institutions solutions that are better suited to their different needs, while making critical assistance faster and more accessible. Our goal is to ensure that a calamity does not become a setback that pushes families further into financial hardship,” Arcenas added.
The impact of immediate liquidity is reflected in initial claims experiences. Joy Verano, a teacher from Masbate City, shared how the microinsurance product helped her recover and rebuild following the impact of Typhoon Opong in 2025.
“Iyong pera na ibinigay sa amin, nabili agad namin ng priority at pangangailangan ng pamilya ko. Kung wala akong natanggap, wala akong maaasahang tulong na kung ano pa man (“The money we received helped us immediately buy the priorities and needs of my family. If it weren’t for the assistance, I wouldn’t have had any help to rely on),” she said.
Under these programs, eligible assistance can typically provide around PHP 5,000 in emergency support, giving affected borrowers access to critical liquidity that can help address urgent expenses following a calamity.
Since 2019, CashKO’s microinsurance network has reached over 6 million underserved Filipinos. With over 33,000 total claims approved, including more than 16,000 processed in 2025 alone, CashKO presents a proven, scalable model for impact investors and growth-focused financial partners.
For more information, you may visit micro.cashko-insurance.com or ruralnet.ph.
