Maya is expanding its financial ecosystem beyond payments and banking with the launch of SafeTrip, a fully digital travel insurance product now available directly inside the Maya app through a partnership with M Pioneer Insurance Inc.
The move comes as more Filipinos travel overseas for leisure and work, often without adequate protection against medical emergencies, flight disruptions, or trip cancellations. With SafeTrip, users can secure comprehensive travel coverage in just a few taps, at preferential rates, without leaving the app they already use for everyday transactions.
SafeTrip covers a wide range of travel risks, including emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation, flight delays, lost or delayed baggage, trip cancellations, and even coverage for hazardous activities. The offering is designed for modern, mobile-first travelers who want protection that matches the pace and unpredictability of today’s travel.
Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder Shailesh Baidwan said insurance is a natural next step as the platform broadens its approach to financial health. With travel rebounding strongly, he noted that bringing protection directly into the app removes friction and helps users avoid unexpected expenses wherever their journeys take them.
For M Pioneer, the partnership represents a shift away from traditional insurance distribution. Company president James Quin said working with Maya allows insurance to be delivered in a way that aligns with how Filipinos already live—digital, on-demand, and accessible—while enabling the company to reach customers faster and at scale.
The rollout was enabled by Maya’s digital-first infrastructure and M Pioneer’s API-ready systems. Using Maya’s mini-app architecture, SafeTrip was integrated quickly, allowing for real-time policy issuance and a seamless end-to-end experience for users.
Chris Manguerra, head of new business at Maya, said the collaboration demonstrates how insurance can be embedded into everyday financial activity, making it easier to access, easier to understand, and easier to use.
The launch also highlights a broader gap in financial protection in the Philippines. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 2021 Financial Inclusion Survey shows that only 17 percent of Filipino adults hold private insurance, down from 23 percent in 2019. Even when PhilHealth coverage is included, total protection reaches just 48 percent. Insurance Commission figures show total insurance penetration at only 1.79 percent of GDP as of the second quarter of 2025.
At the same time, the PLIA PULSE study released this year found that while 90 percent of Filipinos recognize the importance of insurance, many delay buying coverage due to cost concerns and the inconvenience of traditional purchasing channels.
By embedding travel insurance directly into its app, Maya is positioning digital platforms as a practical solution to that gap. With SafeTrip and more protection products in the pipeline, the company is reinforcing its push to make insurance a routine part of daily financial habits—simple, accessible, and built into the digital lives of Filipino consumers.
