AXA in carpooling cover rollout

AXA has teamed up with carpooling community company, BlaBlaCar to launch a new carpooling insurance product.

Initially launched in France, with the possibility of further rollout, the cover, called BlaBlaSure/AXA is specifically designed for drivers using BlaBlaCar.

BlaBlaCar says there is no excess charged for damage that occurs whilst carpooling.

BlaBlaCar has more than 14 million members in France and over 60 million worldwide. BlaBlaCar and AXA wish to offer a dedicated insurance product to drivers from this large and fast-growing community.

Research by BlaBlaCar suggests that carpoolers are better-than-average drivers, making them eligible for a lower premium on their car insurance.

Policy pricing with BlaBlaSure/AXA will adjust to reflect the volume of claims over time, so the carpooling community will be further rewarded for its responsible driving.

The new offering builds on an existing partnership with AXA, started in 2015, which provides in France roadside assistance for BlaBlaCar members during carpooling trips and the option to buy back a franchise. Now, the partnership is going even further with BlaBlaSure/AXA, by offering holistic coverage that drivers can use as their sole car insurance policy. Both parties are working to ensure that this offer will eventually be extended to other European countries.

Nicolas Brusson, BlaBlaCar’s co-founder and chief executive said: “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.”

Guillaume Borie, chief innovation officer at AXA Group, said: “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. 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.”

Brusson continues, “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.”

Last week, AXA announced it had expanded its deal with Uber, which would give drivers free cover.