Index based insurance schemes can play a vital role in insuring poor people in developing countries against a multitude of risk. However, the concept doesn’t go along without any obstacles. Matthias Rödl provides a theoretical framework of index based insurance schemes and further highlights where the latter distinguishes from a classic indemnity insurance. Thereby, scholars can gain a comprehensive theoretical insight into the topic, while practitioners are enabled to identify and understand fundamental challenges for their project upfront as well as to foster sound solutions.