Zurich Insurance Group will utilise World Travel Protection’s assistance and advisory services to enhance its offering.
World Travel Protection said the move would help to bolster its Australian arm, with parent-company Zurich set to leverage the former’s services through its business travel solution.
Zurich announced it will now offer what it describes as “comprehensive business travel solutions”, including a larger international servicing network, broader insurance coverage and new capabilities to support travellers and risk managers through technology.
“Over the last 12 months, despite the challenges of a global pandemic, the World Travel Protection team, with the support of our parent company Zurich, have invested heavily in our technology and capability to build a global, leading, full-assistance service from our operations in Brisbane, Toronto and Shanghai,” WTP’s Australian-based CEO, Adrian Leach, said.
“Being integrated into the Zurich offering to support corporations in navigating their travel risk management obligations marks another milestone for WTP.”
According to Zurich’s global head of accident and health, Drazen Jaksic, implementing a multinational business travel solution is now more important than ever to prevent employees from being harmed and subsequently protect the business from the financial consequences.
“Risks associated with business travel are changing and becoming more complex as exemplified this year by the COVID-19 pandemic, a rise in civil unrest, as well as extreme weather events and related catastrophes,” Zurich said in a statement.
“As employees become increasingly exposed to such risks, companies have a greater obligation to ensure the health and safety of their workforce.”
Jaksic added: “It also gives companies and their employees the knowledge that, as business travel returns, the safety and well-being of all employees is at the forefront of business and travel decisions.”
Zurich Business Travel Solution is supported by WTP’s technology and data, including a mobile application with country risk information and geolocation alerts for business travellers, and a travel portal for risk managers.
