How do I check if my insurance company or agent is licensed?
Last updated: 2026-07-11 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
Verify them with the Insurance Commission (IC), which licenses and supervises insurance companies, HMOs, and insurance agents/brokers in the Philippines. Only an entity with a valid Certificate of Authority (for a company or HMO) or a valid license (for an agent or broker) may lawfully sell insurance. Ask the agent for their IC license and the company's Certificate of Authority, and confirm them against the Insurance Commission's official registers on insurance.gov.ph. Dealing with an unlicensed seller is a serious red flag — an unlicensed 'policy' may be unenforceable, and you should report the seller to the IC.
Two checks protect you: is the company/HMO authorized, and is the person selling to you a licensed agent of that company? A legitimate agent will readily show a current IC license; a legitimate insurer's Certificate of Authority can be confirmed with the IC. Be wary if you are pushed to pay premiums in cash to a person rather than to the company, given no official receipt, or shown a 'policy' with no insurer details — these are hallmarks of insurance fraud. If in doubt, contact the Insurance Commission directly to verify before you pay, and report anyone selling insurance without a license.
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Frequently asked
Why does licensing matter to me as a buyer?
A licensed insurer is capitalized and supervised by the Insurance Commission, which protects your claim; an unlicensed seller is not, and a policy from an unauthorized entity may be worthless when you need to claim. Verifying the Certificate of Authority and the agent's license before you pay is the cheapest protection against insurance fraud.
How do I actually verify them?
Ask the agent for their current IC license number and the insurer's Certificate of Authority, then confirm against the Insurance Commission's official lists on insurance.gov.ph, or contact the IC directly. If the seller cannot or will not provide these, treat it as a warning sign and do not pay.
What if I already paid an unlicensed seller?
Report them to the Insurance Commission with whatever documentation you have (receipts, the 'policy', messages), and keep all records. Selling insurance without authority is a regulatory violation, and depending on the facts it may also be estafa. The IC can act against the seller, and your report helps protect other buyers.
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