In December 2022, Yupwego and independent broker Verspieren Rhône-Alpes signed a framework agreement that marked the Lyon-based insurtech’s entry into the B2B market. In practical terms, business travel coverage, expat protection and an age limit extended to 75 are now part of the Yupwego travel insurance range.
A tie-up between an insurtech and a leading independent broker
Founded in late 2018 in Lyon, Yupwego built its model around a straightforward promise: travel insurance whose premiums and cover adjust automatically based on destination, age and length of stay. Until the end of 2022, that offer was aimed exclusively at individual travellers, with a minimum coverage duration of one week.
The relationship between Yupwego and Verspieren Rhône-Alpes, a nationally established independent insurance broker, led to the formalisation of a framework agreement in December 2022. The logic is simple: Verspieren Rhône-Alpes distributes Yupwego products to its professional client base. For the Lyon startup, that represents a potential pool of more than 120,000 new clients within immediate reach.
“This large group/startup collaboration marks a strategic turning point for Yupwego’s growth,” says Pierre Bourret, founder and CEO.
Get my travel insuranceWhat this partnership changes in practice
Opening up to the business travel market
Previously absent from B2B, Yupwego can now cover professional travel of all kinds: business trips, incentive programmes, team-building retreats and works council travel. This expansion brings an important operational shift: coverage for very short stays, below the one-week minimum that previously applied to individual policyholders. For companies organising ad hoc trips, this is a tangible step forward. The details of short-stay travel insurance illustrate precisely this kind of need.
A broader range for individual travellers too
The partnership also prompted several meaningful updates to Yupwego’s consumer-facing offer:
- Expats: Yupwego now includes dedicated cover for people settling abroad for an extended period.
- Older travellers: the maximum insurable age rises from 65 to 75, extending protection to a group that was previously excluded.
- Trip cancellation: a cancellation guarantee has been added to the range, meeting one of the most common requests from travellers.
- Group policy: a collective insurance product was announced as the next step at the time of signing.
On the cover side, Yupwego policies now include up to €500,000 in medical expenses, €4.5 million in civil liability and round-the-clock medical teleconsultation. These levels of protection apply to leisure and business travellers alike, depending on the policy taken out.
A signal for the sector’s digital transformation
Travel insurance remains one of the segments least touched by the digital revolution, a point Pierre Bourret makes plainly: “The insurtech sector is in full disruption, and travel insurance has not yet been reached by digitalisation.” Traditional players still rely heavily on opaque distribution channels and rigid contract structures.
The agreement with Verspieren Rhône-Alpes points to a different path: an established independent broker choosing to distribute an insurtech product in order to bring flexibility and transparency to its professional clients. For Yupwego, it is a validation of its model, a policy configurable in a few clicks, a premium indexed to the traveller’s profile and 100% online sign-up, tested against demanding corporate decision-makers.
To understand the philosophy behind this ambition, read how Yupwego is reinventing traveller protection and the commitments underpinning Yupwego’s responsible travel insurance approach.
FAQ
What is the Yupwego and Verspieren Rhône-Alpes partnership?
Signed in December 2022, this framework agreement sees independent insurance broker Verspieren Rhône-Alpes distribute Yupwego products to its professional client base. It marks Yupwego’s transition from a purely B2C offer into the B2B market.
Does Yupwego cover business travel?
Yes. Since this partnership, Yupwego is able to cover professional travel of all kinds: business trips, incentive programmes, team-building events and works council travel. Very short stays, previously outside the scope of individual policies, are now included.
What is the maximum age to take out Yupwego travel insurance?
Following the product range extension announced alongside the Verspieren agreement, Yupwego covers travellers up to the age of 75. The previous limit was 65.
Does Yupwego offer trip cancellation insurance?
Yes, cancellation cover was added to the Yupwego range as part of this partnership. The precise reimbursement conditions depend on the policy taken out.
Is Verspieren Rhône-Alpes a reliable partner for distributing travel insurance?
Verspieren is a nationally established independent insurance brokerage group operating across France. Its agreement with Yupwego is part of a broader move to distribute flexible, digital travel insurance products to its professional clientele. For the exact cover terms that apply, refer to the policy offered through your Verspieren contact or directly on the Yupwego website.
