Dean Van Es - Chief Executive Officer, Fast Cover Travel Insurance

About Dean

Dean Van Es founded Fast Cover in 2010 and has been at the helm ever since. The idea was simple: travel insurance for Australians should be honest, straightforward, and actually there for you when something goes wrong. Over 16 years and one million travellers later, that idea hasn't changed. 

As CEO, Dean is hands-on across every part of the business, from product design and policy wording to the regulatory frameworks that govern the industry, the data that informs commercial decisions, and the customer experience from first quote through to claim. Before Fast Cover, he spent 16 years as a solution architect across various industries and a year in insurance data engineering. Dean’s approach to building and running Fast Cover Travel Insurance has always been grounded in how systems actually work.  

When contributing to Fast Cover’s content, Dean draws on his experience as a licensed financial product advisor with a deep understanding of the General Insurance Code of Practice — the framework behind every policy Fast Cover issue and every claim they manage. Backed by more than a decade of hands-on operational experience, he also brings the perspective of someone who has helped over a million Australians navigate travel insurance.

Areas of Expertise

Dean's specialist knowledge spans the full breadth of running an insurance business. He’s across product development, policy wording, AFSL obligations, the laws and regulations governing travel insurance in Australia, data and privacy compliance, claims handling, and the quote and application process. He contributes to Fast Cover's policy explainers and product content and regularly provides expert commentary on travel insurance and consumer protection for Australian and international publications.

Featured In

Dean is a recognised voice in the travel insurance industry. He's been quoted and featured across major publications on topics ranging from travel safety and destination guides to consumer protection and getting the most out of travel insurance. He's a regular at industry conferences and panels and has been featured in interviews and podcasts covering insurance innovation and entrepreneurship.

Real-World Travel Experience

Dean travels the way his customers do: solo, backpacking, with a partner, with family and for business. His trips span over 20 countries and include the kind of active, off-the-beaten-track adventures such as skiing, rock climbing and hiking where having the right cover genuinely matters.

More from Dean