AXA launches ridesharing insurance offering

French insurer AXA has designed a new car insurance cover in collaboration with ridesharing platform BlaBlaCar.

The product, which will be first launched in France, will offer insurance protection to drivers using BlaBlaCar, with no excess charge for damage that occurs whilst carpooling.

BlaBlaCar, which was founded in 2006, is a long-distance carpooling platform and has more than 14 million members in France and over 60 million worldwide. The site and mobile apps connect people looking to travel long distances with drivers going the same way, so they can travel together and share the cost. Each passenger makes a fair contribution for their seat, and drivers cover their driving costs but do not make a profit.

BlaBlaCar's new offering builds on an existing partnership with AXA, which started in 2015 and provides roadside assistance in France for BlaBlaCar members during carpooling trips and the option to buy back a franchise.

The new annual car insurance product called BlaBlaSure/AXA is available in three tiers, namely third-party liability, intermediary, including theft and fire, and fully comprehensive insurance covering all risk such as fire, theft, and collision damage.

“Our partnership with BlaBlaCar results from our ambition to become the platform economy’s preferred insurer and create unique solutions to accompany new modes of mobility such as carpooling," said Guillaume Borie, chief innovation officer at AXA Group.

"We adapt our offer to remain close to drivers and users, each time they need us. With this announcement, we extend the protection proposed to BlaBlaCar members, reaching a new milestone in the strategic collaboration between our two businesses.”

Nicolas Brusson, BlaBlaCar’s co-founder and CEO, commented: “Carpooling is a way to cut the cost of driving through sharing. With this unique product, we’re helping to make car ownership even more affordable for our members in return for their contribution to the carpooling community. In the longer term, we’re excited to explore opportunities to offer insurance that’s even more tailored to our community and its driving habits.”

Brusson added: “AXA has been a trusted partner since 2015, and has been quick to embrace innovation. We’re delighted to extend our partnership to offer our members tailored, market-leading coverage.”

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