When disasters strike whether earthquakes, typhoons, or sudden health emergencies Filipinos feel the impact immediately. As climate change continues to amplify these risks, traditional insurance that only steps in after a tragedy is no longer enough. Today, global insurer AXA is pushing a major shift: focusing on prevention first, not just protection after the fact. And during their recent visit to the Philippines, AXA Group CEO Thomas Buberl and AXA International Markets CEO Hassan El-Shabrawishi shared how this new mindset is reshaping their global and local strategy.
Why Insurance Needs to Change Now
The world is getting riskier and not just because of natural calamities. Economic instability, health crises, and climate-related disasters are on the rise. Buberl explained that many people expect insurance premiums to increase along with these risks, when the real solution is to help people avoid losses before they happen.
He emphasized that behind every claim is a family dealing with pain and disruption, saying that insurance should “not only pay for losses but help prevent them.” He pointed to the example of Hurricanes Katrina and Irma: the damage from Irma was significantly less because communities had learned from past experience and prepared better.
This, he said, is proof that prevention saves lives and reduces costs for everyone.
Prevention as a Core AXA Strategy
According to El-Shabrawishi, AXA has long embraced prevention as a competitive advantage. He highlighted AXA’s investments in healthcare, workplace safety, and climate-resilient infrastructure initiatives that demonstrate how the company is taking action, not just making statements.
Buberl added that prevention works best when communities, governments, and private sectors collaborate. Households can take simple steps to reduce exposure to floods or strong winds, but broader protection requires everyone to work together, especially since governments often bear the biggest financial burden after disasters.
Climate Transition: A Business Imperative
AXA’s prevention-first stance goes hand-in-hand with its climate transition agenda. Even before the 2015 Paris Agreement, AXA began shifting away from investments in coal and tobacco and redirecting funds toward sustainable sectors.
Buberl explained that this wasn’t simply a corporate social responsibility effort, it was necessary to keep the business sustainable. “We need to do everything on the investment side and the underwriting side to make the climate transition a reality,” he said.
This means helping industries that want to transition, while avoiding investments that fuel long-term harm.
Why the Philippines Matters in AXA’s Strategy
For AXA, the Philippines represents both opportunity and responsibility. The country faces frequent natural hazards, yet insurance penetration remains low. At the same time, the economy is strong and diverse qualities El-Shabrawishi said make the Philippines a “resilient economy for the future.”
But to become truly resilient, access to insurance must be inclusive. Through platforms like Grab, GCash, and Home Credit, AXA is reaching more Filipinos with simple, affordable coverage under its global unit AXA EssentiALL. This unit now serves over 17 million customers across emerging and mature markets, offering protection to underserved groups such as informal workers and micro-business owners.
Meanwhile, AXA’s long-running partnership with Metrobank, the pioneer of bancassurance in the Philippines, remains a crucial part of the company’s mission. Metrobank’s extensive branch network helps AXA bring financial protection closer to Filipinos nationwide.
El-Shabrawishi stressed that delivering value not just selling products is key. He said that people only invest in insurance if it truly addresses their needs, which is why AXA focuses on deeply understanding customer realities.
Insurance as an Enabler of Progress
As global risks continue to grow, Buberl reminded leaders and policymakers to view insurance as a driver of development not an obligation. Done right, insurance strengthens both communities and economies by enabling faster recovery and smarter preparation.
To help governments, businesses, and individuals better understand the risks ahead, AXA recently released its 2025 Future Risk Report, covering pressing threats such as climate change, cybersecurity, and social tensions. The report highlights how a prevention-first perspective can build safer, more resilient societies.
At a time when Filipinos are facing more unpredictable weather patterns and rising economic uncertainty, AXA’s prevention-first approach feels especially relevant. Whether it’s through accessible products, climate-smart investments, or partnerships with local institutions, the company’s strategy is a reminder that protecting communities begins long before disaster strikes.
If you want to better safeguard your family, your health, or your business, exploring prevention-based insurance solutions is a smart step toward long-term resilience.