Mesoamerican Reef Insurance Programme (MAR Fund)
The MAR Insurance Programme, run by the nonprofit MAR Fund, uses parametric insurance to pay for fast reef repair after hurricanes along the 1,000 km Mesoamerican Reef (MAR Fund).
Image: NASA (ISS040-E-018752, Caribbean coast of Belize, June 24, 2014).
Last reviewed: 2 sources cited
A reef now has storm insurance that pays out fast, so crews can start repairs within days.
After Hurricane Lisa hit Belize's Turneffe Atoll in November 2022, the programme paid out US$175,000, and brigades stabilised nearly 200 coral fragments within 15 days (MAR Fund).
Source: MAR Fund, The MAR Insurance Programme enters its fifth year (Sept. 2025)
Explain Like I'm 10
- Hurricanes can smash coral reefs, and repairs only work if they start quickly.
- This insurance pays out automatically when winds reach a set speed, with no long wait.
- Trained local teams then use the money to fix the reef.
The Five W's of the MAR Insurance Programme
Who
MAR Fund, a regional environmental fund, with insurance partners and local reef groups.
Source: MAR Fund, The MAR Insurance Programme enters its fifth year (Sept. 2025)
What
A parametric insurance programme that pays out when a hurricane's winds pass a trigger, funding reef response.
Source: MAR Fund, Hurricane Lisa triggers first pay-out (Nov. 2022)
When
Launched in 2021, and entering its fifth year in 2025.
Source: MAR Fund, The MAR Insurance Programme enters its fifth year (Sept. 2025)
Where
11 protected reef sites along the Mesoamerican Reef in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.
Source: MAR Fund, The MAR Insurance Programme enters its fifth year (Sept. 2025)
Why
Hurricanes are a leading driver of coral loss in the region, and reef response is hard to fund after extreme events (MAR Fund).
Source: MAR Fund, Hurricane Lisa triggers first pay-out (Nov. 2022)
Connected Solutions
- Coral Reef Watch (NOAA) Satellites that warn when reefs are heating up.
Impact Statement
Nonprofit solution · active
The programme grew from 4 insured sites in 2021 to 11 reef sites (MAR Fund).
Source: MAR Fund, The MAR Insurance Programme enters its fifth year (Sept. 2025)
For Further Information: MAR Fund, The MAR Insurance Programme enters its fifth year (Sept. 2025)
The first payout was triggered on Nov. 2, 2022, when winds of 70 knots hit Turneffe Atoll, and MAR Fund received the money within two weeks (MAR Fund).
How This Saves People & the Planet
For People
The reef region provides over US$4.5 billion in environmental services each year and helps protect more than 5 million people living within 50 km of the coast (MAR Fund).
Source: MAR Fund, The MAR Insurance Programme enters its fifth year (Sept. 2025)
For Nature
Local brigades assess and clean up reef damage, then repair it, following pre-agreed response plans (MAR Fund).
Source: MAR Fund, Hurricane Lisa triggers first pay-out (Nov. 2022)
Support the Mesoamerican Reef
Support reef rescue with MAR Fund.
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Links go straight to the organization. Saving Planets doesn't receive any of the money.