Mutual, cooperative and community-based organisations (MCCOs), also referred to as mutuals, provide insurance services to 955 million people around the world, either as members or policyholders and directly employ 1.1 million people. However, in many emerging markets, including India the potential of mutual insurance has not been tapped and the sector is underdeveloped. We speak to Dr George E Thomas, professor (research & non-life), College of Insurance, Insurance Institute of India, who was part of an initiative backed by the ICMIF for a country diagnostic study on the landscape of MCCOs in India including their market potential and challenges, and to suggest ways to create an enabling environment for their growth and development.