Friday, April 25, 2025

Safer Events, Smarter Experiences: How Embedded Insurance Is Set To Transform the Philippine Sports and Entertainment Scene

Safer Events, Smarter Experiences: How Embedded Insurance Is Set To Transform the Philippine Sports and Entertainment Scene

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In the high-energy world of sports and entertainment, success often hinges on flawless execution. But behind every sold-out concert or adrenaline-filled match is a web of risk—accidents, cancellations, or unexpected disruptions can jeopardize the entire experience.

Globally, platforms are increasingly integrating insurance directly into ticketing and registration processes, creating a seamless experience for both organizers and attendees. In Brazil, global insurtech firm discovermarket has partnered with Sympla, the country’s leading event platform, to offer public liability insurance. With this partnership, event organizers on Sympla can secure coverage by simply answering two quick questions on an online portal.

This streamlined, digital-first approach offers a smart model for the Philippine events industry, which is making a strong post-pandemic comeback. The market is expected to grow rapidly, reaching USD 1.4 trillion by 2028 with an average annual growth rate of 8% from 2023. Locally, demand is rising for concerts, sports leagues, cultural festivals, and trade shows, drawing renewed interest and participation.

But with this comeback comes a growing need to protect both organizers and attendees from unexpected risks and financial fallout. Just last year, the sold-out Grand “BINIverse” concert by girl group Bini at Araneta Coliseum had to be postponed due to Typhoon Pepito. This example highlights how even highly anticipated events remain vulnerable to sudden disruptions beyond anyone’s control.

Why Embedded Insurance Matters

“For many event organizers in the Philippines, whether it’s a sports league or major arena shows, traditional insurance often feels out of reach. It’s seen as too complicated, too costly, or simply not built for their reality,” said Marco Kamerling, Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer at discovermarket. “Embedded insurance changes that. It’s integrated, and tailored to real-world event needs — from liability and cancellations, to covering mishaps or property damage. For attendees, it can mean refund protection or accident coverage. Ultimately, it helps build trust across the entire event ecosystem.”

discovermarket makes this possible and powering the entire process with its end-to-end digital platform, allowing organizers to secure coverage in just a few clicks.

Building Economic Resilience Through Safety Nets

The events industry is a key economic driver that fuels tourism, generates employment, and uplifts micro and small businesses. From stagehands and sound engineers to food vendors and freelancers, thousands of livelihoods depend on the success of live events. By embedding insurance directly into event infrastructure, we’re not just mitigating risk but we’re ensuring the sustainability of an entire ecosystem.

A Growing Opportunity for Local Platforms

With the right partnerships, this model can take root in the Philippines. Ticketing platforms, online marketplaces, and even mobile wallets could explore embedded insurance options that cater specifically to Filipino event-goers and organizers. The technology already exists and what’s needed is collaboration across sectors to bring this safety net into the local mainstream.

discovermarket, through their one-stop solution shows how insurtech can play a central role in driving this shift. discovermarket’s platform enables tailored embedded insurance products to be distributed digitally, reaching event organizers who were previously underserved.

As the country continues to embrace digital-first solutions, embedding insurance into the platforms that power our events could be the next big step in professionalizing the industry. With over 83.8% smartphone penetration in the beginning of 2025 and a high adoption of mobile wallets, the Philippine market is primed for embedded services. Integrating protection into these digital touchpoints fits naturally into the way Filipinos plan and experience events today.

Beyond just risk mitigation, it’s a step towards a more resilient, professionalized events industry  where every organizer and attendee can focus on what truly matters: the experience.