While the dominant products in the microfinance sector are credit and savings, with a particular emphasis on credit in India, practitioners, donors and Centre have begun experimenting with innovative products to meet the multidimensional needs of the poorest and vulnerable. For example, health shocks represent an all-too-common and potentially devastating risk or poor households lives, coupled by the fact that health insurance is virtually non-existant for poorer demographics. Similarly, the poor in rural India face substantial risks including droughts or excessive rainfall, fluctuating crop prices, all of which can substantially impact income and well-being. The Centre for Micro Finance is partnering with microfinance institutions and other organizations piloting and scaling up innovative products including health insurance, weather insurance, information on commodities future prices etc.

Motivating research questions behind Insurance and Innovative Products projects include:
- Does the provision of health insurance for microfinance clients improve health outcomes?
- What are the factors that influence take-up and usage of weather insurance?
- Does the provision of future prices information impact sowing decisions among farmers?

Research Knowledge Partner Projects

- Impact evaluation of government health insurance scheme [Completed]