In this episode, Michael Waitze talks to Michele Grosso, the co-founder, and CEO of Democrance and Mallika Uswachoke, who is in charge of Strategic Development and Emerging Customers at Krungthai Axa Life Insurance in Thailand. Driven by the desire to restore insurance to its original purpose of providing mutual aid for those who need it most, but can afford it least, Michele founded micro-insurance startup Democrance in 2015. The InsurTech is based out of Dubai but operates in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In Thailand, Democrance has launched one of the first projects with French insurance group AXA.
Selling micro-insurance has its own challenges. The target group often has low financial literacy and agent distribution might not be an option. Alternative forms of distribution become a key success factor. Michele shares insights on their recent project with Axa and international money transfer provider Hello Paisa. Hello Paisa specializes in family remittances by enabling overseas workers to send money home to their families in developing countries. This is where Democrance can make a difference and provide protection to these workers as their families back home often depend on regular remittances. Find more information on the program and their partnership with AXA here.
In Thailand, Democrance and Krungthai Axa have launched a micro-insurance product with Thai telco operator AIS. Clients of AIS can get free accident protection when they regularly top-up their pre-paid sim cards. The idea behind the concept is to introduce insurance to people who have never bought financial products before. By giving them free micro-insurance coverage they are able to experience the product themselves and learn about financial products and AXA along the way. By discovering the benefits first hand, some might be encouraged to buy additional financial protection for their families. The benefit for AIS is an increase in customer stickiness and loyalty.
Interested to learn more about AXA and their partnerships with startups? Listen to this episode with Thibault Demoures, the Asia Head for health solutions development at Axa Partners in a panel conversation with startup partner DocDoc.
This episode was expertly edited and produced by the talented Alanis Braun.
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