CarTrawler, a leading B2B technology platform for car rental and mobility solutions to the global travel industry, has acquired Koala, a Paris-based B2B InsurTech firm specialising in innovative travel insurance solutions.
The deal marks CarTrawler’s strategic entry into the InsurTech sector as it expands its multi-product ancillary platform, according to FF News.
The acquisition reflects growing partner demand for ancillary services, including embedded travel insurance offerings.
CarTrawler, headquartered in Dublin, provides technology solutions to travel brands and airlines, enabling them to integrate car rental and mobility services.
Koala, founded in Paris, has developed flexible insurance products such as “Cancel For Any Reason” and automatic disruption cover, already used by more than 70 travel partners across 17 countries.
The acquisition will allow CarTrawler’s partners to offer flexible travel insurance embedded directly into booking flows with minimal development effort.
These high-margin ancillaries are designed to drive higher attach rates and unlock new revenue opportunities while enhancing the customer experience.
CarTrawler’s strengths in data science and revenue optimisation will combine with Koala’s API-first InsurTech technology to accelerate ancillary revenue growth for partners. Travellers will benefit from faster claims processing, more flexible refunds and seamless integration at the point of booking.
Koala is recognised as a pioneer in the InsurTech industry, developing products such as the world’s first parametric flight disruption insurance and “Modify For Any Reason”. Its insurance products have been purchased by travellers in over 140 countries, with travel brands reporting an average 77% uplift in insurance sales during the first year of partnership.
CarTrawler highlighted that ancillary revenues remain an increasingly important driver of airline profitability, with travel insurance purchases climbing 34% year-over-year in 2024. Global travel insurance is projected to double in value by 2030, from $25.98bn to $50.77bn, underscoring the growth opportunity.
CarTrawler CEO Peter O’Donovan (pictured) said, “The demand for B2B travel ancillary solutions continues to increase, with our travel partners asking us to add these solutions to our offering. The acquisition of Koala is a further step toward fulfilling our ambition of becoming the leading multi-product ancillary platform for the global travel industry. Koala’s product innovation and customer-centric approach make them a natural fit. Together, we’ll unlock more value for travel partners and travellers alike.”
“This is just the beginning,” added O’Donovan. “We are strengthening the Connect Platform and expanding our proposition to become a multi-product platform. Between this acquisition and capitalising on recent major partner wins, we are positioned for phenomenal growth in the years ahead.”
CarTrawler’s growing network includes over 2,200 car rental and mobility suppliers across more than 50,000 locations in 150 countries. Its partners range from airlines such as easyJet, Qantas, United Airlines, Virgin Australia and American Airlines, to global travel brands including Uber and American Express.
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