QBE backs coronavirus car share scheme

QBE Insurance Group is providing the insurance for a new, free community car share scheme to help move essential services around Bristol as the coronavirus crisis intensifies.

The Karshare scheme aims to establish a fleet of 500 cars, on loan from members of the local community, to be used by charity workers, food bank and NHS volunteers, health workers and care workers, totally free of charge.

Local people are asked to donate their unused cars for a week. The scheme will see them collected and cleaned. The cars will be inspected for roadworthiness and fully insured by Karshare. They will then be given to Bristol-based charities, NHS volunteers, food banks and frontline workers who can use them to keep essential goods and services moving in Bristol.

After a week they will be fully cleaned and returned to their owners. The RAC is covering roadside assistance and The Assured Group is providing the cleaning of all cars.

Karshare is the latest innovation from Car & Away who launched at Bristol Airport in 2019, allowing passengers at the airport to rent out their vehicles while on holiday.

Jon Dye, director of underwriting for Motor at QBE Europe said: “We are pleased to support this scheme which will help critical workers and services during these difficult times. It is more important than ever that we find innovative ways to help our customers and the communities in which they operate.”

Karshare founder Andy Hibbert added: “We’re already partnered with Bristol Airport and QBE Insurance where we run a service renting out people’s cars when they go on holiday. We started thinking about how we could make a difference in the current situation and the principle is exactly the same.

“The average car lies unused for 96 percent of the time, even more so when offices and schools are shut. It seems like a waste when there are many charities and locals within the community that need transportation support right now.

“If you have a car you’re not going to need for the next week or two, we can put it to good use, doing good in the Bristol area. See how you can help by visiting www.Karshare.com.”