What Koala does

Koala (legal entity: GOLAO SAS) is a Paris-based B2B insurtech that designs, distributes, and operates embedded travel protection products for travel businesses across Europe. Founded in 2019, the company offers seven core parametric-style insurance products — Cancel For Any Reason (Flex), Change For Any Reason, Interrupt For Any Reason, Flight Disruption, Luggage Protection, Pay Protection, and Travel Assistance — plus a Custom Insurance module for bespoke coverage. Its platform is API-first and built on automation across pricing, eligibility, claims, and payouts, enabling zero-proof claim processing, 48-hour refunds, real-time flight-disruption monitoring, and white-label deployment via API, SmartBlock widgets, or automated reports.

The company's technology stack centres on parametric insurance architecture and continuous optimization (SmartPricing, SmartChoice, SmartLaunch) that adjusts product offerings and prices based on traveller behaviour data. Koala serves 100+ partners spanning OTAs, airlines, hotels, TMCs, package sellers, luxury/tailor-made agencies, rail, ferries, and aggregators, with 1.5M+ travellers protected, €500M+ booking value covered, and operations in 20 European countries (regulated in 30+).

Koala generates revenue through insurance premium brokerage, partner commission shares, and licensing of custom-built products. The business is B2B-only with quote-based, non-public pricing tailored per partnership. The company raised a €2M seed round in March 2023 led by Insurtech Gateway, achieved profitability in 2024, and was acquired by Irish travel technology firm CarTrawler Group in 2025 — its first major move into insurance technology — which integrated Koala into CarTrawler's Connect Platform spanning 150+ countries and 250+ travel partners.

Name

Koala

Legal name

GOLAO SAS

Website

https://hikoala.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Koala is a Paris-based B2B insurtech providing API-first, parametric-style travel protection products (cancellation, disruption, luggage, payments, assistance) embedded via API or SmartBlock into 100+ European travel partners including OTAs, airlines, hotels, TMCs, and package sellers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Travel Insurance Technology

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Trip Cancellation/Interruption & Refund Protection Platforms (THALALAB)

Keywords

• Travel insurance platform
• B2B insurtech solutions
• Parametric flight insurance
• Embedded travel protection
• White-label cancellation cover

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel

Revenue model

1. B2B Insurance Premium Revenue: Koala generates revenue by providing travel protection products to travel businesses (airlines, OTAs, hotels, TMCs). Partners embed Koala products into their booking flows and earn commission or revenue share on insurance sales. Koala acts as insurance broker, earning premiums from end customers with partners taking a cut.
2. Custom Insurance Development: Koala designs and builds bespoke insurance products for travel businesses with unique needs, launching within 3 months. Revenue derived from product licensing and ongoing premium sharing.
3. Platform Integration Fees: Revenue from integration services including API access, SmartBlock deployment, and automated reporting setup. Part of the overall partnership value proposition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Koala is a B2B insurtech that provides API-first travel protection products to travel businesses such as airlines, OTAs, hotels, TMCs, and package sellers. The platform embeds parametric and zero-proof insurance products (cancellation, flight disruption, luggage, pay protection, travel assistance) directly into partner booking flows. Partners white-label the products and earn commission on insurance premiums while Koala acts as the insurance broker managing pricing, claims automation, and payouts.

Product overview

Koala is a modular travel protection platform designed for travel businesses (airlines, OTAs, hotels, travel management companies, package sellers, and tailor-made agencies). The platform offers seven core insurance products: Cancel For Any Reason (Flex), Change For Any Reason, Interrupt For Any Reason (Leave), Flight Disruption, Luggage Protection, Pay Protection, and Travel Assistance. These products share common features: zero proof required, automated claims processing, fast payouts within 48 hours, and white-label ready capabilities. The platform also offers a Custom Insurance module for bespoke solutions and uses SmartBlock, SmartPricing, SmartChoice, and Revenue Manager tools for optimization. Integration is available via API, SmartBlock, or automated reports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cancel For Any Reason (Flex) Cancellation protection product that enables travellers to cancel their booking instantly for any reason with zero proof required. Refunds are processed within 48 hours to the traveller's bank account, with customizable cancellation deadlines and refund bases. Designed for travel businesses to embed via API or SmartBlock.
• Change For Any Reason Trip modification insurance enabling travellers to change bookings for any reason. Credits are created automatically for fast booking modifications, covering part or all of the change cost with automated claim processing.
• Interrupt For Any Reason (Leave) Trip interruption protection allowing travellers to end their trip early for any reason without justification. Unused items are refunded within 48 hours, covering accommodations, flights, activities, and other services.
• Flight Disruption Parametric flight disruption insurance that provides proactive compensation for flight delays, cancellations, and diversions. Koala monitors flights in real time and triggers claims automatically before travellers complain. Compensation is paid within 48 hours with no documentation required.
• Luggage Protection Instant compensation for lost or delayed luggage using only the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) number. Claims are handled automatically with no receipts, photos, or proof of contents required. Compensation is paid within 48 hours directly to the traveller's bank account.
• Pay Protection Instalment payment insurance covering default risk when travellers stop paying. No proof required from travellers; Koala takes over automatically and reimburses partners for all remaining instalments.
• Travel Assistance Comprehensive protection against medical emergencies and unforeseen costs during travel, including 24/7 medical assistance, repatriation coordination, and emergency support. Digital claim process with proof-based coverage for medical expenses abroad, hospitalization, and more. Active in 10 countries and 14 languages.
• Custom Insurance Bespoke travel insurance solutions designed, built, and launched within 3 months for unique partner use cases. Covers non-standard products, niche travel segments, and specific eligibility or coverage logic. Fully compliant across Europe.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.5M+ travellers protected, up from 500K in 2024 and 300K in 2023
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• VoloteaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Koala partnered with European airline Volotea to provide travel insurance and passenger protection products to the airline's 11 million+ annual passengers. Partnership covers travel insurance, baggage protection, and flight disruption cover. The agreement, the first major integration of Koala's products since CarTrawler acquired the company in 2025, expands an existing commercial relationship between CarTrawler and Volotea that began with car rental services in 2023. Within 6 months, Volotea achieved +52% conversion rate and +80% partner commission.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AirHelp: Flight compensation and claims technology company serving air passengers. Direct overlap in flight disruption product category and consumer protection positioning.
• Cover Genius: Embedded insurance platform offering travel and e-commerce protection products via API to global merchants. Most direct comparable in business model, technology stack (API-first, parametric), and target customer base.
• Battleface: Travel insurance technology company focused on modern, customizable travel protection products for travelers and partners. Comparable in product design philosophy and B2B2C distribution model.
• HeyMondo: Travel insurance technology platform offering digital-first protection products for travelers, including flight disruption and cancellation coverage. Comparable in product portfolio and digital-first go-to-market.

Broad incumbents

• Allianz Travel: Global incumbent offering comprehensive travel insurance products through airline, agency, and direct channels. Comparable in product breadth but serves as broad incumbent with portfolio rather than niche specialization.
• AXA Travel Insurance: Major European insurer with travel insurance product line. Operates across similar European geographies as Koala but with much broader product portfolio and direct-to-consumer focus.
• AIG Travel: Global travel insurance provider serving travelers through agency, corporate, and direct channels. Comparable in product coverage but as a broad incumbent with established carrier relationships.
• Generali Global Assistance: Major incumbent travel insurance and assistance provider operating globally. Comparable in travel assistance and broader protection products but with traditional distribution model.
• World Nomads: Established travel insurance brand targeting adventure and independent travelers globally. Comparable product category but with direct-to-consumer rather than B2B-embedded distribution.

Emerging players

• Bolttech: Embedded insurance technology platform operating across multiple verticals and geographies including Asia-Pacific. Comparable in embedded insurance technology approach but with broader vertical scope than travel-only focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/koala_insurance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/koalainsurance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Koala