Manila, Philippines — Traditional insurance models have long struggled to reach low-income and rural communities, where affordability, accessibility, and trust remain major barriers to adoption. CashKO, the microinsurance subsidiary of Philippine InsurTech company RuralNet, is taking a different approach by designing insurance around the communities it serves.
Today, the company provides tailored life microinsurance protection to more than 6.1 million underserved Filipinos across 81 provinces through an ecosystem of rural banks, cooperatives, and microfinance institutions.
Rather than offering standardized insurance packages, CashKO develops “made-to-measure” coverage with its institutional partners, allowing products to reflect the income patterns, financial capacity, and protection priorities of local communities.
The customized plans primarily address final medical liabilities and funeral expenses—financial obligations that frequently overwhelm Filipino households after prolonged illnesses. By delivering timely insurance proceeds, the program helps beneficiaries stabilize their finances before debt becomes unavoidable.
The growing demand for such protection mirrors broader national trends. Around 67% of adult Filipinos now rank health and illness prevention as their highest personal concern, while insurance penetration remains at only 2%, illustrating the significant opportunity to expand protection among underserved sectors.
One policyholder who experienced the value of accessible insurance is market vendor Lolita Lugasan. Following the passing of her husband, and after the family’s savings had already been consumed by medical costs, she received her CashKO insurance benefit within days through a local lending partner.
“Makalipas ang ilang araw matapos mamatay ang asawa ko, mabilis kong nakuha ang claim. Ramdam mo na may nag-aalaga sa iyo, may malasakit,” said Lugasan. (“Just a few days after my husband passed away, I received the insurance claim quickly. It makes you feel like someone is truly looking after you and genuinely cares.”)
“‘Yung nakuha ko sa CashKO, kinabukasan, nataon na birthday niya. Hinati ko ‘yun. Yung kalahati, ipinanghanda ko. Pero yung kalahati, inilagay ko sa negosyo ko para may umiikot akong puhunan,” she continued. (“The payout I received from CashKO arrived just in time for his birthday the next day. I split the money—half went toward preparing a meal for his birthday, and the other half I invested back into my business so I would have capital to keep it running.”)
“Financial protection should be within everyone’s reach. It should not be a luxury, but a necessity. Our microinsurance service is tailored to the unique needs of Filipino households, moving away from rigid, traditional insurance and instead co-designing ‘made-to-measure’ plans with local institutions. By leveraging technology, we are helping more Filipino families build genuine financial resilience and long-term peace of mind, so that losing a breadwinner doesn’t mean starting back at zero,” said Justin Arcenas, Founder & CEO of RuralNet Inc.
Technology remains central to the company’s operating model. RuralNet’s proprietary digital platform maintains a 97% claims approval rate while delivering payouts 75% faster than the industry average, helping ensure beneficiaries receive financial assistance during periods of urgent need.
The company’s insurance ecosystem now extends through more than 5,000 partner branches across 81 provinces, allowing community-based financial institutions to embed insurance into everyday financial services. By combining digital infrastructure with trusted local partnerships, CashKO has lowered operational barriers while expanding insurance access nationwide.
With over 6.1 million insured lives, CashKO continues to demonstrate how community-based partnerships and technology can reshape insurance delivery for underserved Filipino families.
For more information, visit ruralnet.ph or micro.cashko-insurance.com.