Protect what matters

Insurance, without the sales pitch

Independent breakdowns of HMO, life, health and motor insurance products — so you only buy what you actually need.

More guides coming

On our editorial roadmap

Health Insurance vs HMO

When a traditional health plan beats an HMO card — and when it doesn't.

Pet Insurance in the Philippines

Is it worth it in 2026? Providers and real payouts.

Insurance in the Philippines: what to buy and what to skip

Insurance is where Filipino households most often overpay, usually by buying an investment-linked product when what they needed was protection. The two are separable: term life insurance buys a large payout for a small premium, while a variable universal life policy bundles a smaller amount of cover with an investment account and much higher charges in the early years.

Beyond life cover, the practical questions are health financing on top of PhilHealth, whether an HMO membership is worth its annual cost for your family's usage, and the non-negotiables like motor third-party liability and travel cover for visa applications. Each of our guides shows what the policy actually pays, what it excludes, and where the money goes.

We do not sell policies and receive no commission on any product named here, which is why the guides say plainly when a cheaper option covers the same risk.

  • Buy protection and investments separately unless you have a specific reason not to.
  • Read exclusions and waiting periods before the premium table — they decide whether a claim pays.
  • PhilHealth is a floor, not full coverage; case rates cap what it pays per condition.
  • Declare pre-existing conditions honestly; non-disclosure is the most common reason claims fail.

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