Driving the Evolution of Inclusive Insurance in the Philippines - Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc.

For nearly two decades of microinsurance evolution in the Philippines, Cebuana Lhuillier, the country’s leading microfinance services provider, through its insurance arm Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc. (CLIB), has been at the forefront of expanding financial access for Filipinos underserved by traditional insurance systems. What began as a small-scale insurance distribution function under Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions (CLIS) has evolved into a more integrated brokerage ecosystem in 2020 through CLIB, reflecting sustained growth and a deeper commitment to financial inclusion through a broader portfolio of insurance solutions from multiple partners, strengthening both reach and product diversity. 

As part of this transformation, CLIB was established to address a long-standing gap in the Philippine insurance landscape, where access to protection has historically been constrained by affordability, awareness, and distribution. Leveraging TechBrick, a multi-channel strategy that integrates over 3,500 Cebuana Lhuillier branches, expanded Alternative Distribution Channels (ADC), and digital platforms, it connects insurers with millions of Filipinos, making protection more accessible and positioning it as a necessity rather than a privilege. 

As Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, emphasized in this outlook for expansion, “Our goal has always been to democratize access to financial protection and ensure that every Filipino, regardless of economic status, has the opportunity to secure their future through accessible insurance solutions.” 

Building on this vision, Cebuana Lhuillier continues to reshape insurance in the country by moving beyond transactional models and positioning it as a human-centered form of protection that responds to real-life needs and challenges. Central to this move is CLIB’s effort to streamline the end-to-end customer journey, from product access and purchase to claims processing and benefit release. 

This shift is grounded in the realities of the Philippine tingi (sachet) economy, where everyday spending is shaped by affordability and small, flexible purchases. A landmark study on sachet consumption highlights how accessibility, affordability, and purchase practicality drive Filipino consumer behavior, supported by a strong neighborhood retail ecosystem. 

Reflecting this context, CLIB simplifies access to insurance by removing key barriers such as underwriting approvals for eligible products, eliminating ID requirements, and waiving medical exams which makes insurance more intuitive, easier to buy, and better aligned with the Filipino tingi mindset of buying only what is needed, when it is needed resulting in faster onboarding, reduced customer effort, and improved processing efficiency across all touchpoints of the customer journey. 

Product innovation continues to drive CLIB’s growth. The company now offers more than 150 insurance products covering just over 4.5 million clients, 2.6 million of whom are from the low-income segment. Among its flagship offerings is ProtectMax which has provided coverage to around 4.3 million individuals to date. This plan includes protection against accidents, fire, illness, and offers emergency cash assistance for Filipinos aged 7 to 70, with premiums starting as low as ₱50 (USD 0.83). 

In 2025, ProtectMax supported 10,837 claimants, releasing a total of ₱36,420,300 (USD 650,363) in benefits. On the other hand, HealthMax offers coverage for emergency care and hospitalization needs of up to ₱150,000 (USD 2,500), with daily premiums starting at just ₱8 (USD 0.13) and no medical exam required. 

Together, these solutions highlight the company’s commitment to making insurance simple, affordable, and responsive to real-life needs. 

Beyond product expansion, CLIB continues to strengthen its role in the broader insurance ecosystem in the Philippines and globally. Its participation in the Microinsurance Master Accelerator Program, an internationally recognized platform for advancing inclusive insurance innovation organized by Microinsurance Masters and locally by Pioneer. As part of the program, delegates were given a chance to participate in branch immersions and learning sessions where they gained firsthand exposure to the company’s frontline delivery model and community-based approach to insurance. 

As highlighted by Bert Opdebeeck, Founder of Microinsurance Master, “What people find so amazing about Cebuana is how it has been able to grow and scale microinsurance and the volume of microinsurance policies that it sells. That is why it is so important for us to involve Cebuana Lhuillier in this.” 

Looking ahead, Atty. Isagani Acosta, General Manager of CLIB, said: “Our focus is not only growth, but meaningful development—building an insurance ecosystem that evolves with the needs of Filipinos and ensures protection remains relevant, accessible, and responsive in a changing world.” 

Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc. now stands as a key enabler of inclusive protection in the Philippines. From its origins as CLIS to its evolution into a full brokerage platform, CLIB continues to champion accessibility, innovation, and human-centered insurance, continuously advancing its mission to make protection simpler, more accessible, and more meaningful for every Filipino.