ISSN 2375-0693
African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 380-387, May, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
An analysis of preferences of clients for microinsurance products: A case study from the Mutual Assistance Fund in Vietnam
Germaine Perkins* and Henry Evans Collette**
1The University of Queensland, Australia.
2Thai Nguyen University, Vietnam.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 2 January, 2016
Abstract
This study investigates preferences of clients for microinsurance products using a case study from the Mutual Assistance Fund (MAF), the pioneer microinsurance provider in Vietnam. The study aims to contribute to improving the ability of the young microinsurance industry in Vietnam to meet the needs of its clients, which in turn, will enhance its efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability. In addition, the study examines determinants of microinsurance and identifies potential gateways for microinsurance to serve the uninsured poor in the population. Our results reveal that the current premiums offered by the MAF seem too low and that they have no significant effect to the preferences of clients over product attributes. In the same line with Tran and Yun (2004), we found that clients are willing to pay higher premium in order to receive a higher level of benefit. In addition, the main factors that significantly affect product preferences are experiences in insurance, mathematical ability and attitude towards risk.
Key words: Microinsurance, Vietnam, conjoint analysis, client preferences.