Digital opportunities for the distribution of index‐based microinsurance: Evidence from a discrete choice experiment in Mali
通过对马里499名玉米农户的离散选择实验，研究发现手机交付的保险属性（如捆绑天气信息和农业建议）及同伴推荐能显著提升农户参保意愿，为数字分销小额保险提供了实证依据。
Abstract Index‐based microinsurance is a promising risk management tool for smallholder farmers. Recently, several mobile‐delivered insurance schemes have entered the market. Depending on the degree of digitisation of the product, farmers can learn about the insurance, register, pay premiums and receive payouts via a mobile phone. As cell phone usage and network coverage constantly increase, digitally enabled insurance distribution may overcome previous barriers for insurance adoption. Still, farmers' preferences for these products remain largely unknown. We address this knowledge gap by means of a discrete choice experiment applied to 499 maize farmers in Mali. The experiment presents an easy‐to‐understand multi‐peril crop insurance linked to a greenness index. It focuses on attributes related to the distribution channel and product design. Using mixed logit models, we find that the insurance attributes enabled by mobile‐delivery are attractive to farmers. Product bundles that include mobile‐delivered weather information and agricultural advice in addition to the insurance policy or credit access increase the likelihood of farmers taking out insurance. Similarly, recommendations from fellow farmers increase interest in the insurance product. The results are highly relevant for future product improvements that are needed to increase adoption rates and ultimately realise the loss‐hedging potential of microinsurance.