Health & Protection in Manila

Alongside with job, home and basic needs such as food, security is also considered as a necessity when moving abroad. Expats planning to relocated to Manila should always put protection as one of their urgent needs since many things can go sideways especially in an unfamiliar place like the Philippines. You will be pleased to know that Manila has a decent insurance market where you can choose various ways to protect your health and finances. It is important that you understand fully with your HR department what is the level of protection offered by your benefits package. Here, we will give you some tips on how you can efficiently secure yourself while working in the capital of the Pearl of the Orient.

Getting Insurance

First and foremost, the thing that you have to check when choosing a company is its legitimacy. There are a number of past cases of insurance scams and bankruptcy in the Philippines, mostly over life insurance products. You have to make sure that the provider you are dealing with is licensed by the Insurance Commission, a state agency that operates under the Department of Commission. You can start your search by checking the list of all their authorised insurance providers where you will find a combination of local and international companies.

Manila hosts several multinational insurers such as Manulife Financial Corporation (John Hancock Life Insurance) who offers life, health, education and retirement coverage. You can also get protection from banks in the city such as Banco de Oro, one of the country’s largest privately owned banks that provide a wide selection of life and non-life products.

Before calling private insurers in Manila, check out first with your HR office about your health coverage as an employee. Most expats who are part of an assignment relocation program have the basic medical coverage as one of their job benefits. You can also ask your existing provider if they can cover you in Manila since some policies, such as international insurance, are applicable even if you're in a different country.

Importance of Insurance

Dengue and malaria are known illnesses in Manila because of its tropical climate that makes the city a favourable breeding ground for mosquitoes. You should also prepare yourself for extremely hot summers and stormy wet season where an average rainfall can flood some streets or major roads in Manila. DOH (Department of Health) strongly advises everyone to avoid exposing themselves to flood water since it can cause sicknesses such as leptospirosis.

There are several state funded hospitals where you can get subsidised or free medical services by contributing to the public health care scheme called PhilHealth. But public facilities are usually overcrowded and have long wait lists. Most Filipinos and expats choose to go to private hospitals but the treatments can be costly. Having health insurance will not just cover your basic medical or emergency needs but can also save you a lot of time and money.

Local Insurance in Manila

The series of natural disasters that hit Manila greatly affected the local insurance market. However, according to the Insurance Commission, the sector is expected to rise above the catastrophe with the help of the rising number of insured people. The latest statistics from the Commission shows that there are now about 25 million holders of life insurance which is considered a huge improvement. There are 32 life insurers and 71 non-life companies that are mostly situated in Manila or also known as Imperial Manila because of its significant role as the country’s centre of business and finance.

Expats and locals are required by law to have the compulsory third party liability insurance when driving in Manila. This type of policy will cover death, disablement and medical costs of the person involved in a collision caused by your vehicle. BI or body injury and PD or property damage are the two types of TPL that should be insured by your provider. Third Party Liability coverage is also a mandatory requirement by the LTO (Land Transportation Office) before you can register your car or motor.

There are many local providers in Manila but considering your lifestyle and wok nature as an expat, it's also best that you get international insurance. Multinational companies offer plans designed to suit the needs of a foreign national abroad and can still cover you even if your assignment to Manila has ended.