COVID-19 insurance claims in the Philippines reach billions

Close to half (47%) of the claims, or PHP2.06 billion, were paid out by health maintenance organisations (HMOs). Life insurance companies came in second at 46% (PHP1.98 billion), while the remainder was split between non-life insurers and mutual benefit associations.

Death benefits made up the largest part of payouts at PHP1.67 billion, followed by in-patient benefits (PHP1.47 billion) and out-patient benefits (PHP876.6 million). However, out-patient benefits were the largest in terms of number with 176,542 claims.

According to Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa, surges in claims coincided with the spikes in COVID-19 infections.

“The claims paid increased drastically from February to April and dipped slightly in June,” Funa said. “This reflects the reported spike of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines between March and May.”

The insurance industry in the Philippines has paid out a total of PHP8.25 billion since the pandemic began last year, with the largest share going to death benefits at PHP2.89 billion.