What ZEPHIR does

Zéphir (legal entity: ZÉPHIR SA, registered in France — RCS Nantes) is a wholesale insurance broker (courtier grossiste) founded in 1989 and headquartered in Châteaubriant, France. The company does not sell directly to end customers; instead, it designs, underwrites (via partner risk carriers), and distributes a broad portfolio of insurance products exclusively through a nationwide network of independent partner brokers (courtiers). Its portfolio spans automobile (risques classiques, risques aggravés, Auto Pro, Auto Collection, Taxi-VTC, Deux Roues, Vélo, NVEI), home (Modul'Habitat, Nov'Habitat), leisure (Camping-Car, Loisirs), health and provident (Santé TNS, Prévoyance TNS, Hospi, Dépendance, Tempo Décès, Protection des Accidents de la Vie), professional lines (Multi'Commerces, Multi'Bureaux, Homme Clé), credit (Empruntéo), and specialty (Santé des Animaux, Assur'Scolaire, Kolibri, Tempo) — with deliberate concentration on underserved niches such as bonus-malus aggravated drivers, TNS/micro-entrepreneurs, and leisure vehicle owners.

The company's technological backbone consists of the Zéole digital partner portal (for quotation, subscription, and policy management by brokers), the Espace Assuré customer portal (for policy management), and a fully digitalized subscription process, including an online automobile claims declaration module. Zéphir does not bear insurance risk itself; risk is carried by partner insurance companies including Allianz, SwissLife, Wakam, Sérénis Assurances, Identités Mutuelle, Harmonie Mutuelle, Mondial Assistance, Groupama Protection Juridique, AGPM, HDI, and CMAM (joined January 2025).

The business model is commission-based wholesale brokerage: Zéphir earns recurring commissions on insurance products distributed through its partner brokers, with the company focusing on product design, carrier relations, and digital tooling. The company is privately held as a Société Anonyme with €6,000,000 share capital, 51-100 employees, ACPR authorization, and ORIAS registration (07 004 801), and is led by Directrice Générale Marie-Anne Caris. Customer-facing marketing is conducted primarily through industry events (Les Journées du Courtage, Rendez-vous du Courtage), LinkedIn, and website content, while distribution relies entirely on the B2B broker channel — Zéphir does not maintain direct consumer-facing sales infrastructure.

Name

ZEPHIR

Legal name

ZÉPHIR

Website

https://groupe-zephir.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Zéphir is a French wholesale insurance broker founded in 1989 that designs and distributes a broad portfolio of niche IARD and personal insurance products exclusively through a nationwide network of independent partner brokers, supported by the Zéole digital portal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Brokerage

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421), Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Wholesale Insurance Brokerage (Excess & Surplus Lines) (FSAEADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Retail (Personal Lines) Insurance Brokerage (FSAEADAA), Commercial General Liability (CGL) (FSAJADAA), Mid-Market Commercial Package (Package Policies) (FSAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Wholesale insurance brokerage
• Automobile insurance products
• Professional liability insurance
• Health and provident insurance
• Broker partner network

Headquarters

HQ city

Châteaubriant

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Insurance Premiums (Wholesale Broker): As a wholesale broker (courtier grossiste), Zéphir distributes insurance products through a network of partner brokers and earns commissions from insurance companies. The company designs and manages insurance products while partners sell to end customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ZEPHIR is a French wholesale insurance broker (courtier grossiste) that designs and distributes a comprehensive portfolio of insurance products through a network of independent partner brokers across France. The company specializes in niche segments including automobile risques aggravés, professional vehicles, micro-entrepreneurs, leisure vehicles, and health/provident coverage for self-employed workers, with a fully digitalized subscription process via the Zéole partner portal.

Product overview

ZÉPHIR is a wholesale insurance broker operating since 1989 that distributes a comprehensive portfolio of insurance products through a network of broker partners across France via a fully digitalized subscription process. The product portfolio spans multiple segments: Automobile (Auto Classique, Auto Risques Aggravés, Auto Pro, Auto Collection, Taxi-VTC), Two-Wheelers (Deux Roues, Vélo, NVEI, Moto Riders, Cyclo), Home (Modul'Habitat, Nov'Habitat), Leisure (Loisirs, Camping-Car, Caravane), Health & Providence (Santé TNS, Prévoyance TNS, Hospi, Dépendance, Tempo Décès, Protection des Accidents de la Vie), Professionals (Multi'Commerces, Multi'Bureaux, Homme Clé, Auto Pro), and Specialty (Santé des Animaux, Assur'Scolaire, Kolibri, Empruntéo, Tempo). All products are offered through the Zéole digital platform for broker partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zéole: Partner broker portal for quotes and contract management
• Espace Assuré

Products and services

• Zéphir Auto Classique Automobile insurance for standard-risk drivers with CRM up to 1.00, featuring driver protection up to €500,000 and acceptance of young drivers without surcharge.
• Zéphir Auto Risques Aggravés
• Zéphir Auto Pro Professional vehicle insurance for enterprises under 10 employees, artisans, merchants, and VRPs covering vehicles under 3.5 tonnes with driver protection up to €500,000.
• Zéphir Auto Collection Classic and collector vehicle insurance for 2, 3, or 4-wheeled vehicles over 20 years old, launched in partnership with CMAM, covering up to €100,000 value.
• Zéphir Camping-Car Camping-car insurance launched in partnership with CMAM for vehicles up to €120,000 value, with assistance without mileage deductible and accessory coverage up to €8,000.
• Zéphir Tempo Temporary vehicle insurance for 1 to 90 days for new or used vehicles in France and Europe, covering third-party damages without bonus/malus impact and no deductible.
• Zéphir Deux Roues Two-wheeler insurance covering motorcycles, bicycles, and new urban mobility vehicles (NVEI), with products for mopeds, motorcycles, and electric vehicles.
• Zéphir Vélo Bicycle insurance covering road, city, racing, hybrid, mountain (VTT), and electric-assist bikes for both individuals and professionals, with no age limit at subscription.
• Zéphir NVEI Insurance for New Individual Electric Vehicles limited to 25 km/h including electric scooters, gyropodes, and hoverboards, with up to 5 vehicles per contract.
• Zéphir Modul'Habitat Standard home insurance with essential guarantees and competitive pricing, fully customizable with optional coverages for individual houses and apartments up to 12 rooms.
• Zéphir Nov'Habitat Premium home insurance with enhanced guarantees, higher compensation ceilings, and differentiated options for clients seeking optimal protection of their property.
• Zéphir Habit'éo Multirisque habitation (home insurance) product for owners, tenants, co-tenants, and free occupants covering principal and secondary residences up to 12 rooms with customizable formulas.
• Zéphir Loisirs Leisure vehicle insurance covering camping-cars and caravans, with flexible guarantees and assistance included for vacation-focused customers.
• Zéphir Santé TNS Supplementary health insurance compliant with 100% Santé reform for self-employed workers and their families, with 6 guarantee levels and 3 optional reinforcements.
• Zéphir Prévoyance TNS Providence insurance adapted for self-employed workers in business creation or development, covering work stoppage, invalidity, and death with Madelin-eligible contributions.
• Zéphir Assurances de Personnes Person insurance products including Hospi (hospitalization indemnity), Dépendance (dependency), and Tempo Décès (death insurance) for families and individuals.
• Zéphir Protection des Accidents de la Vie Personal accident insurance covering death and impairment from everyday accidents with 3 formulas (Essentielle, Sérénité, Confort), optional professional and school packs, up to €1 million indemnification.
• Zéphir Santé des Animaux Pet health insurance covering dogs and cats over two months old for accidents or illness, with three guarantee levels and annual reimbursement up to €2,000.
• Zéphir Assur'Scolaire School insurance covering civil liability and private life of children from nursery to university up to age 28, with worldwide coverage and two subscription formulas.
• Zéphir Multi'Commerces Comprehensive multi-risk professional insurance for traders, artisans, and micro-entrepreneurs covering 90+ activities across 8 sectors, with 2 formula options and coverage up to €150,000.
• Zéphir Multi'Bureaux Professional office and business activity insurance covering tertiarized sector activities, local and equipment protection, with modular guarantees and business interruption coverage.
• Zéphir Homme Clé Key Person insurance protecting companies from financial consequences of death or total permanent disability of essential employees, with capital up to €1,000,000.
• Zéphir Taxi-VTC Comprehensive insurance for taxi and VTC drivers covering the driver, activity, and vehicle with professional liability insurance and 3 formula options.
• Zéphir Emprunt'éo Credit insurance guaranteeing mortgage loan repayment up to €4 million over 25 years, created in partnership with Harmonie Mutuelle, covering death, P.T.I.A., and disability.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fully digitalized subscription process
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CMAM (Caisse Meusienne d'Assurances Mutuelles)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CMAM is a new risk carrier (porteur de risques) partner for Zéphir since January 1, 2025. The partnership covers automobile (risques classiques and risques aggravés), camping-car, multirisque professionnelle, and upcoming habitation and prévoyance products. The collaboration is based on shared values of proximity, expertise, and personalized support.
• AllianzminorOthersOne of the insurance companies with which Zéphir works for distributing insurance products.
• Sérénis AssurancesminorOthersOne of the insurance companies with which Zéphir works for distributing insurance products.
• WakamminorOthersOne of the insurance companies with which Zéphir works for distributing insurance products.
• Identités MutuelleminorOthersOne of the insurance companies with which Zéphir works for distributing insurance products.
• Harmonie MutuellecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Harmonie Mutuelle for the Zéphir Empruntéo credit insurance product, launched in March 2024, covering mortgage loans up to €4 million over 25 years.
• Mondial AssistanceminorOthersOne of the insurance companies with which Zéphir works for distributing insurance products.
• SwissLifeminorOthersOne of the insurance companies with which Zéphir works for distributing insurance products.
• Groupama Protection JuridiqueminorOthersOne of the insurance companies with which Zéphir works for distributing insurance products.
• AGPMminorOthersOne of the insurance companies with which Zéphir works for distributing insurance products.
• HDIminorOthersOne of the insurance companies with which Zéphir works for distributing insurance products.
• Marion la main tendueminorOthersAssociation receiving €1.50 per subscription of the Kolibri anti-harassment insurance product. The association builds 'Maisons de Marion' to support children victims of harassment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• APRIL: APRIL is a leading French wholesale insurance broker (grossiste) specializing in niche P&C, health, and creditor lines distributed through partner brokers across France and internationally. Most direct comparable to Z\u00e9phir given its wholesale brokerage model and specialty-segment focus.
• Alptis: Alptis is a French insurance intermediary group offering health, provident, and P&C products through a partner broker network. Comparable business model (intermediary distribution) and overlapping product set (Sant\u00e9, Pr\u00e9voyance, IARD) targeting French particuliers and TNS.
• Bess\u00e9: Bess\u00e9 is a French wholesale insurance broker and risk-management advisor serving businesses and professionals. Comparable wholesale brokerage model with focus on commercial/professional lines, similar reliance on partner broker network in France.
• SPVIE Assurances: SPVIE is a French insurance broker specializing in niche segments (Sant\u00e9, Pr\u00e9voyance, IARD) for individuals and professionals, distributed via partner brokers. Comparable niche-specialist wholesale model targeting similar French customer segments.
• Magnolia.fr: Magnolia is a French insurance broker operating as a courtier en ligne, distributing health, home, auto, and provident products with a strong digital platform. Comparable digital-first brokerage model, though more retail-focused than wholesale.
• CEGEMA: CEGEMA is a French insurance broker (courtier grossiste) specialized in niche P&C and health segments for individuals and professionals. Highly comparable as a French wholesale broker with overlapping product mix and partner-distribution approach.
• Assur\u2019Box: Assur\u2019Box is a French online insurance broker (courtier en ligne) offering auto, home, and health products with digital subscription. Comparable digital brokerage model serving French particuliers and SMBs.

Broad incumbents

• Diot-Siaci: Diot-Siaci is one of France\u2019s largest insurance brokerage groups (DiOT family of brands), operating across retail, wholesale, and corporate brokerage. Larger incumbent competitor with broader portfolio but overlapping distribution channels and customer segments.

Emerging players

• Otherwise (Prevoir Group): Otherwise is a French digital insurance broker within the Pr\u00e9voir Group, offering life and non-life products through an online platform. Comparable digital distribution model but with different product focus and corporate structure.

Others

• Groupe Vyv (Harmonie Mutuelle): Harmonie Mutuelle (part of Groupe Vyv) is both a partner and a competitor-adjacent mutual insurer serving French particuliers and professionals with health and P&C products. Relevant as Z\u00e9phir\u2019s risk-carrier partner for Emprunt\u00e9o and a benchmark for the French mutual insurance ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/groupe-z%C3%A9phir

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 ZEPHIR