Zurich appoints new Head of Travel Insurance for Australia and New Zealand
Blain Waterford joins Zurich from AIG, where he served as Global Head of Direct Marketing, Digital, and Partnerships
Zurich has appointed Blain Waterford as Head of Travel Insurance for Australia and New Zealand.
The role will see Waterford sit on the Zurich Australia and New Zealand team and oversee the company’s travel insurance operations in both markets – this includes its Zurich Cover-More and Travel Guard businesses.
Waterford will work with partners in the airline, banking, card, retail, and travel sectors across the region, working to develop the company’s strategy and performance.
Waterford joins Zurich from AIG, where he was most recently Global Head of Direct Marketing, Digital, and Partnerships. He has also held senior positions at Chubb, and brings with him over 25 years of experience in consumer insurance.
“Blain brings a global perspective, industry expertise, strong commercial leadership, and a proven ability to deliver customer focused outcomes at scale,” said Justin Delaney, CEO of Zurich Australia and New Zealand. “As Australia’s only major composite insurer, we are confident he will play a key role in advancing our strategy and strengthening our position in the local travel insurance market.”
Zurich Insurance Group acquired AIG’s global personal travel insurance and assistance business – which includes Travel Guard and Cover-More – in 2024.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor for Voyageur Group, joining in 2021. He writes for both ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue, covering a range of topics including international travel and health insurance, medical assistance provision and air medical transportation. He also serves as Title Editor of the Assistance & Repatriation Reviews. Oliver holds an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University, as well as a BA in English with Creative Writing from Falmouth University.