Filipinos can now buy insurance covering typhoon, flood and other calamity damage to their homes at more than 3,000 M Lhuillier branches, under a partnership between the remittance and pawnshop chain and insurtech company Igloo, the companies announced on 10 November.

The two plans, Calamity Protect Basic and Calamity Protect Plus, cover death or disability from an accident.

They also give cash assistance if a policyholder’s home is damaged by fire, lightning, an earthquake, a typhoon or a flood.

Cover lasts one year and is open to adults aged 18 to 65. The companies did not disclose premiums or payout amounts.

Sold at M Lhuillier branches

Customers can buy the plans at the same branches they already use to send money, pawn items, pay bills or take out loans.

Igloo and M Lhuillier said the partnership has already helped more than 200 families affected by flooding.

“Low-income households are among the least insured in the Philippines, and they are often the hardest hit when a disaster strikes,” said Ramjit Lahiri, Country Head of the Philippines at Igloo.

Michael Lhuillier, President and CEO of M Lhuillier, said insurance is “an important part of meeting their financial service needs,” referring to the company’s clients.

A protection gap in a disaster-prone country

The Philippines ranked as the world’s most disaster-prone country in the 2025 WorldRiskIndex, Manila Bulletin reported.

Yet insurance penetration in the country stands at only around 2%, according to Asia Insurance Review.

Igloo says it works with more than 20 distribution partners in the Philippines.

It operates locally through its brokerage arm, Igloo Insurance Broker, Inc., which partners with regional and local insurers.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Philippines based on an image by Malayan Insurance via its Press Release.