Between the time you book your future vacation and the time you leave, many unforeseen events can arise, as the Covid-19 pandemic has dramatically illustrated.
And it is the same then during the stay.
Most insurers today offer packages or “comprehensive insurance” which combine all these guarantees at once and reinforce those already acquired in bank cards or complementary health insurance.
Chapka Assurances, created in 2002 by Geoffroy Bonnet-Eymard, is a pioneer in this market thanks to historical know-how in terms of creating insurance solutions adapted to the needs of tourism professionals and individuals.
In 2019, the broker was bought by AON (
British multinational, major player in the areas of risk management, Editor's note
), but continues to stand out by focusing on the simplicity of subscription, the clarity of guarantees and above all, responsiveness .
And it works, in 2024, Chapka by AON is growing by 30% compared to 2023. We talk about it with its manager, Geoffroy Bonnet-Eymard.
LE FIGARO - What does Chapka by AON bring to the average traveler?
Geoffroy Bonnet-Eymard
- The initial idea was to provide service.
That’s just what we’re here for.
Our desire is to make insurance understandable to everyone, simplify subscription and facilitate reimbursements.
We popularized insurance policies to clearly explain to clients that if they have $3,000 in medical expenses in the United States, we will reimburse them three thousand dollars.
It's as simple as that.
This is very important to us.
Simplification also means responsiveness, being able to give a price online in a few seconds and explain it to people who are not comfortable with travel insurance, i.e. the vast majority. travelers, the guarantees that are in their credit card.
Who do you insure?
We insure all types of travelers: vacationers for a week or two, those who are going for a long stay, a world tour, volunteering, but also those who are going to study, do an internship or have an au pair experience. 'stranger.
We are also specialists in short expatriations on working holiday visas.
How do you explain that 80% of your customers are between 20 and 35 years old?
Chapka is very present on social networks like Instagram or Tiketok and we organize a lot of events with major schools, or even “traveling aperitifs” with young people wanting to travel the world.
We also work, for example, in partnership with the Australian Embassy to promote the Working Holiday program, which allows people to travel and work and which has existed for twenty years.
All these actions mean that we are indeed aimed at a young generation of long-term travelers who need assistance and who are well aware that, when we go for 6 months or a year to the other side of the world, we have quickly to have a glitch.
For short periods of time, they also call us, the same way they call us when they go for internships abroad.
How much does travel insurance cost on average?
I like to talk in percentages and, overall, a “multi-risk” today is between 4.5 and 6% of the cost of the trip, a “cancellation” alone – that the guarantee before leaving – you will be at 3.5%.
We do not play on fears at Chapka, the French know very well that when they leave without assistance, Social Security will not reimburse the foreigner much, or even nothing at all, beyond 90 days.
Stays in South-East Asia, which is very popular with young French people, can lead to complicated situations.
Just like in the United States where medical costs are up to five times higher than in France.
It is a real risk to have to raise money online to appeal for donations to pay for treatment or hospitalization.
Some people were even forced to sell their apartments.
However, we are all covered by our bank card...
It is not uncommon for French tourists to think they are already covered for their trip thanks to the insurance contract included in their bank card.
In fact, “classic” or “Premium” bank cards (Visa Premium Card, Mastercard Gold, Visa Infinite, etc.) cover you in France but do not necessarily include coverage adapted to stays abroad.
The coverage linked to the payment of medical expenses abroad is often minimalist for traditional cards.
Why is the proportion of insured travelers constantly increasing?
First of all, there is a natural growth in global tourism, from which we benefit.
Then, the second sign is that people are more and more concerned about this travel insurance because the world is a little riskier than before.
It is more risky in wars or illness.
Because of Covid a few years ago, you could not travel without a certificate... This forced a large number of people to call specialized brokers because often the bankers were unable to answer about the guarantees of the credit card while the agencies travel were not always very comfortable... Since last year, one in two French people intend to take out travel insurance, compared to one in fifteen twenty years ago.
We are not the cheapest, however we try to be the most precise in our exchanges with the customer.
And then, travelers ask questions that are more and more specific.
Their level of knowledge has gone up a notch, especially since Covid.
Are there any new guarantees?
Above all, we are trying to have better guarantees rather than new guarantees.
We have set up teleconsultation: at any time of the day or night, anywhere in the world, you can obtain an appointment with a French-speaking doctor who, in addition, will be able to prescribe you a prescription.
This is a service that has absolutely become essential in travel insurance today.
People no longer want to be treated by an Egyptian doctor of whom they do not understand a word.
This is in line with what our customers expect.
Another thing: the ease of reporting a claim.
Everything is done on our app in just a few clicks, from anywhere abroad.
The assistance card is in the phone, just press a button to reach someone for free, via Wifi.
The assistant is informed and automatically calls you back.
This is very important if you are on the other side of the world.
Insurance becomes an essential element, like a suitcase or a visa.