NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chartis Inc., a world leading property-casualty and general insurance organization, today announced that all of its worldwide travel businesses will begin operating under the brand name Travel Guard, effective immediately. Additionally, Jeffrey C. Rutledge has been named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Travel Guard Worldwide, Inc.

Beginning with today’s announcement, all Chartis travel sales and operations worldwide will be unified under the Travel Guard brand and will be positioned as “Travel Guard, a Chartis company.” Travel Guard has operations in a variety of key regions, including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Australasia, Africa and the Middle East. Mr. Rutledge’s appointment and the launch of the global Travel Guard brand further establish the Travel Guard brand as one that signifies innovative travel insurance products and attentive client service worldwide.

Mr. Rutledge will oversee Chartis’ worldwide travel businesses. In this capacity, he also will oversee the Travel Guard operations in the U.S. and Canada, which are led by Dean Sivley, who joined Travel Guard in May, as previously announced.

“Travel Guard is a market-leading brand name that we believe will benefit from its extension worldwide and from an association with the Chartis name,” said Kristian P. Moor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chartis. “The creation of a global Travel Guard name, under the Chartis umbrella, and appointment of Jeff as the unit’s worldwide head, are two important steps in our effort to create a more integrated global organization that will benefit all our stakeholders. We look forward to Jeff’s many contributions as the new global leader of Travel Guard.”

“Travel Guard is one of the top insurance providers in the travel business, and I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the organization globally,” said Mr. Rutledge. “We have a world-class leadership team and group of employees, and we are all excited as we enter a new chapter in the life of this great franchise.”

Mr. Rutledge joined the Chartis organization in 1999 and soon established the company’s global travel e-commerce operations. He later had executive responsibility for travel in the Asia-Pacific region and, more recently, served as president of the global travel division. Mr. Rutledge has an extensive travel industry background and holds an MBA in International Management from the University of Dallas.

About Travel Guard

Travel Guard is the marketing name for the worldwide travel insurance, assistance and related services of Travel Guard Worldwide, Inc. It helps millions of individual travelers and corporate clients solve problems and manage risks worldwide. In addition to an extensive portfolio of travel insurance coverage and benefits, Travel Guard offers a wide range of services through its wholly-owned assistance centers conveniently located in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Its global reach, unparalleled service quality and proven operational capabilities ensure that clients and policyholders receive best-in-class care. Travel Guard’s suite of technology platforms enables seamless integration with all major travel distribution systems and supplier channels.

About Chartis

Chartis is a world leading property-casualty and general insurance organization serving more than 40 million clients in over 160 countries and jurisdictions. With a 90-year history, one of the industry’s most extensive ranges of products and services, deep claims expertise and excellent financial strength, Chartis enables its commercial and personal insurance clients alike to manage virtually any risk with confidence.

Chartis is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty and general insurance operations of Chartis Inc. For additional information, please visit our website at http://www.chartisinsurance.com. All products are written by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of Chartis Inc. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to actual policy language. Non-insurance products and services may be provided by independent third parties. Certain coverage may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds and insureds are, therefore, not protected by such funds.