This unique offering, available through Mastercard’s websites in the two countries, is designed to make online shopping more convenient by refunding shipping fees for returns when retailers don’t provide free returns.

The service, powered by Qover’s AI-driven platform, provides coverage of up to €30 per return, with a maximum of three claims or €90 annually per cardholder.

The launch comes as online shopping continues to dominate in Belgium, with nearly 90% of Belgians making online purchases in early 2024. Clothing remains the most popular category, underscoring the importance of flexible and hassle-free return options for consumers.

Henri Dewaerheijd, Country Manager of Mastercard Belgium and Luxembourg, emphasised the value of this partnership “We’re excited to unveil this new solution in collaboration with the rising star of European insurtech, Qover. This unique protection reinforces the value of Mastercard credit cards for online purchases and enhances the online shopping experience for our Belgian and Luxembourg cardholders.”

Using Qover’s advanced AI technology, the service offers a seamless experience, enabling cardholders to submit claims and receive updates with just a few clicks. The platform’s automation and data extraction capabilities streamline the process, ensuring users are informed at every stage of their claim.

Parker Crockford, Chief Revenue Officer at Qover, explained “Customers receive instant updates on the status of their claim, keeping them informed every step of the way. This technology-driven solution is tailored for digital-first users who value simplicity and personalisation.”

The collaboration is a strategic move for Mastercard, enhancing its credit card offering and driving customer loyalty in a competitive market. Embedded protection services, like this return cost coverage, are becoming essential tools for businesses to provide added value.

Quentin Colmant, CEO and Co-founder of Qover, highlighted the broader implications of the initiative “Embedded protection is becoming a strategic tool for businesses to enhance customer value and build loyalty. We’re honoured by Mastercard’s trust and are excited to bring this innovative solution to their cardholders.”

For Qover, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand its hyper-personalised, embedded insurance solutions across Europe. With this partnership, the company takes another step toward building a global safety net for consumers.

The return protection service is now live and available to Mastercard credit cardholders at mastercard.be and mastercard.lu, setting a new standard for convenience and customer-centricity in the region.