3,505 reviews
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AI reviews summary
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Overall sentiment towards Southern Cross Travel Insurance is largely positive, with customers frequently praising the competitive pricing, transparent policy wording, and user-friendly online setup. Many policyholders who navigated the claims process reported prompt and supportive service during stressful medical or travel disruption events. While a small subset of reviewers experienced communication hurdles or found the documentation requirements challenging, the general consensus highlights the provider as a reliable choice for international travel coverage.
Southern Cross make the process very easy and you can always contact them and speak to a person regarding insurance. My sister recommended them to us and have used them twice now feel very confident with them. Show details · 1
I really appreciate a business when I can phone them and understand the operator. This is Southern Cross Travel. We did a years international insurance. Its not easy online, so I phoned them. The Kiwi lady was great. Asked plenty of questions, filled it all in her end, was very thorough and pleasant. It was done. The 2nd call involved a claim for… Read more · 1
lost prescription sunglasses. Called them, they told me what I needed. Sent it off and claim was processed in a few days Very happy with the ease of dealing with and the price.
The policy appeared to cover all our needs visiting 3 European countries with an asian stopover and was good value especially compared with some well known companies. As it turned out, there were no medical dramas, no delayed or cancelled flights, no lost luggage and Show details · 1
Reviews with attachments
On the second day of a six week trip to Japan I had an accident which required an ambulance and an 18 day stay in hospital, five days of which were in ICU. I contacted Southern Cross Travel Insurance and let them know of my plight. They immediately made contact with the hospital and from there the medical cover was sorted. I never saw a bill. In… Read more · 1
the meantime my wife was flying over to assist me in my recovery. Southern Cross covered her flights, accommodation and meals. I made a few phone calls and several emails over the next month which were answered promptly and professionally. Thank you, Southern Cross Travel and their wonderful staff.
Good price, easy to apply, complete cover, Security knowing they are there to help if required Show details · 1
The real test of an insurance company is what happens when you need to make a claim. This is something where Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) have been great. We have used SCTI for all of our travel insurance for quite a few years. In that time we have done many overseas trips. We never needed to make a claim until our recent trip to South… Read more · 1
America. On that one trip we had 3 separate incidents and SCTI were great with all of them. The first was that my wife thought that she might have DVT when we were in Ecuador. Our guide arranged for a doctor to come to our hotel to look at her. We rang SCTI and told them and they were very helpful. As it turned out, it was not a DVT and the doctor could fix it with some drugs. The total cost was only US$95 so we did not need to make an actual claim with SCTI. However, SCTI still got us to send through the medical report so that they could check with their experts that the treatment was appropriate. They also contacted us a few days later to make sure that everything was OK. The second incident was in Peru. My wife and I both got salmonella poisoning (despite being very careful about what we ate and drank). Our local guide arranged for a doctor to come straight over and the doctor said that we needed to go to hospital for tests. We were taken by ambulance to a travellers’ clinic (which was like a small private hospital) and spent the next 24 hours on intravenous drips. We had a large room for the 2 of us and constant care for the 24 hours. The doctor had taken details of our SCTI insurance and we also emailed SCTI to tell them what was happening. SCTI handled everything and we did not have to pay anything at all . SCTI contacted us a few times to make sure that everything was OK and that we were feeling better. The third incident arose due to some civil unrest in Bolivia. The road that we were supposed to travel on had been blocked by protesters. This meant that we had to cancel 2 days of our trip and catch a flight instead of driving. We advised SCTI at the time. When we got back to Australia, our travel agent provided us with a letter that set out the cost of what we had missed out on and the costs (hotel, airfares and meal) that we had to pay for our alternative arrangements. We submitted this to SCTI and they rang about 5 working days later to say that the claim had been approved and that, in accordance with the policy, they would pay the greater of the 2 costs. This seemed very fair and we were happy to have the claim resolved so quickly and for the amount that we expected. We have always used travel insurance for peace of mind. Our experience on our recent trip showed that it was really worth it. Even though we had things go wrong on the trip, having insurance meant that we didn’t have to worry about the cost. We were very impressed with SCTI. They took responsibility for everything and communicating with them was very easy – both through phone calls and through emails. We will be using SCTI for our future trips and we are already actively recommending them to our friends.
Purchasing Southern Cross Travel Insurance was quick, easy, and affordable. The online application process was straightforward, with clear information and no complications. The policy offered good value for money and was simple to set up before my trip. Fortunately, I did not need to make a claim, so I cannot comment on the claims process. Based… Read more · 1
on my experience purchasing the policy, I would happily consider using Southern Cross Travel Insurance again in the future.
We (a couple) took 6 months insurance covering 3 continents for a single trip. Following research, it was the most cost effective, especially for add ons like motor bike riding or cruise cover. We did have to make a claim for rental excess as someone damaged our car and left no note. The online process struggled to upload the supporting photos… Read more · 1
which was mildly frustrating - in the end I think it was the browser I was using was not supported by their site - but I got there! Their communication was excellent, and the full amount (there is no excess for rental excess) was paid back into my account within 4 or 5 days. Would I use them again? 100%. I recommend them to you. I have already got a quote on an upcoming trip which again is on the money.
Covered everything we needed including skiing in Canada for seniors Show details · 1
I have used SCTI for over 15 years. Being on line they are very easy and quick to use - this recent trip I actually had to add an updated medical condition and I was able to speak to a consultant who assisted me. I will continue to use SCTI for future travels. Thanks Lisa Show details
Useless policy, I spoke to an agent before I took out the policy to ensure I was more than adequately covered in case of a medical emergency as I was spending my time in Mexico City. Unfortunately I needed to go to hospital and rang the emergency contact number on the policy, was advised to go to a public hospital, which I did and don't have a… Read more
problem with, only to be horrified when we got there, the hospital was surrounded by bars and razor wire, the only way in was by ambulance. We tried another public hospital only to find the same thing, couldn't get in. The public hospitals seem to be surrounded by undesirables living in tents and quite scary at night. Thank you Southern Cross Insurance, I was left in agony and I'm sure if your customer service had made me aware of the hospital system in Mexico City, I would have been quite happy to pay a few dollars more to be able to go to any of the private hospitals. As travel insurance is your business, I'm sure your staff would be well aware of the hospital system in Mexico City given that FIFA is hosted there and many tourists with travel insurance.
EDIT: IT HAS BEEN 4 WEEKS AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY FEED BACK AS STATED BY SOUTHERN CROSS TRAVEL INSURANCE REPLY TO MY REVIEW. VERY DISAPPOINTING AND A FALSE RESPONSE THEY GAVE.
Latest follow-ups
Policy ,service , and price of cover was first class , future trips will contact your company and adviise.. Show details
Follow-up · All details and service was very well handled.
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Would recommend Southern Cross for your travel insurance. I had an existing health condition and they covered me. Paul Show details
Follow-up · The Quote process was so easy, all online done within minutes. The trip was only 5 days to catch up with family in wellington. I will be using Southern Cross for all my future travels.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance provided me with the comfort and confidence that in case of need that shoudl not arise I shall be able to receive the best medical assistance I need. Even if needed I would recieve other support I needed, if required, such as loss of baggage, airlines delay of flights and emergency requirements Show details · 1
Follow-up · The price was decent and comfortable but could still be improved. The document was understandable when you read the summarized page otherwise it was the usual legal hotchpotch. It provided the cover for all the risks that I wanted to be covered. I was comfortable in dealing with Southern Cross Travel Insurance and shall be using them once again on my next travel.
In-depth reviews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I would absolutely recommend Southern Cross Travel Insurance. They were truly amazing when my mum had a fall in Bali and broke her femur. From the very beginning, they kept me regularly updated and explained what was happening. They took care of the hospital costs and made what was already a very stressful and frightening situation so… Read more
much easier for our family.
They even paid for me to fly over to Bali so I could be there to support my mum, which meant so much to both of us.
When Mum was ready to come home, Southern Cross arranged for a nurse to travel with her on the flight back to Australia to make sure she was safe and supported throughout the journey. They also provided additional financial assistance for the time Mum spent in hospital.
Everyone we dealt with was so friendly, caring and helpful. We genuinely felt supported throughout the whole experience.
I am incredibly grateful to Southern Cross for everything they did for my mum and our family. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for travel insurance. ❤️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I don’t usually write reviews, but I felt this experience deserved one. I purchased travel insurance from Southern Cross Insurance before my trip to Mexico and the United States in June. During my holiday, while visiting La Paz, Mexico, I unfortunately lost two cameras, my wallet, some cash, and a few other personal belongings. At the… Read more · 1
time, the local police were not very helpful, and even after staying there for several days, I received no updates. I had almost accepted that everything was gone and that I would have to absorb the loss myself.
When I returned to Australia, I decided to submit a claim, although I honestly didn’t have high expectations. To my surprise, the claims process was straightforward, and once my claim was assessed, Southern Cross Insurance confirmed that I would be reimbursed.
I was incredibly grateful. Without this insurance, I would have lost nearly AUD $1,500. The whole experience reminded me why travel insurance is so important. Thank you to the team at Southern Cross Insurance for giving me peace of mind during such a stressful situation. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone travelling overseas.
I highly recommend Southern Cross Travel Insurance as they have been exceptional at resolving a travel claim due to a significant disruption to our holiday plans. I was able to speak to a Customer Support representative very quickly, who promptly… Read more · 1
reassured me that my children and I would be taken care of financially in respect of booking a new transfer to our initial destination. The claim form was incredibly straightforward and within 72 hours I received an email confirming our claim was accepted and would be paid in full. I have previously used Allianz, and while their service was superb, Southern Cross outperformed them by providing such a speedy resolution and straightforward claim process. I love the fact there is a zero excess option also. No one ever wants to be in a position where travel plans are disrupted, but it's very reassuring to know you're with a travel insurance company that's there to support you. Thank you Southern Cross for enabling my family and I to have a smooth journey for our overseas trip. We can now and look forward to a wonderful holiday.
Follow-up · Cancelled transport to and from our international airport and as we live in remote regional Australia, sourcing a way to get there was very challenging. Southern Cross were incredible from start to finish, allowing us to purchase return flights, which ensured we were still able to enjoy our holiday and get home safely. It was so stressful when the… Read more
Positive reviews
I was very happy with the service Southern Cross Insurance provided. This is the second time I have purchased international travel insurance with Southern Cross and found them easy to deal with. ForunatIley i haven't had to make a claim so I can't speak about that side of things but i did like that i could ring and speak to someone and they could… Read more · 1
do everything over the phone. They also had a good product at a reasonable price. I was particularly interested in cancellation that was over $15,000 as with the tour i had booked as well as flights and accommodation if something happened and I had to cancel i needed to cover my outlay.
Super easy process to apply for travel insurance. We do have medical issues, which were thankfully covered and not at the cost of a kidney. Will definitely use again! Show details · 1
We were very impressed with Southern Cross Insurance. Our flights were delayed by 2 hours and we immediately received vouchers for the delay! No fuss, no forms to fill out. It was so easy. We were blown away. We will definitely use this company for our big overseas trip next year. Show details · 1
Negative reviews
Typhoon conditions started affecting Shanghai on the day I was due to leave. It was a Saturday and, understandably, I didn’t want to risk being stranded. I first contacted Southern Cross by email to ask whether I could leave early. I didn’t receive a response until three days after I had already returned home. With time running out, I then phoned… Read more
during their business hours.
I was effectively trying to save both myself and Southern Cross the cost and inconvenience of being stranded once the airport closed. However, I was told their policy only responds once the disruption has actually occurred.
So rather than assisting a customer to take reasonable, proactive steps to avoid becoming stranded, the policy effectively requires you to wait until the problem happens. In my case, that meant they would rather risk me being stuck in Shanghai for several days than help me leave early.
Hi James. Thank you for taking… Read more
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Southern Cross Travel Insurance loves taking your money upfront, but when it is time to actually pay out a claim, they treat you like an inconvenience to be managed rather than a customer to be supported. My experience with them was a masterclass in institutional stonewalling. As someone with a disability, I expected a basic standard of fairness,… Read more
professionalism, and human decency. Instead, I found an organization that weaponized red tape and hid behind defensive bureaucracy. Empathy is entirely absent from their vocabulary; customer service takes a backseat to the real mission: finding loopholes to deny help and protect their bottom line. By the end of this exhausting ordeal, my confidence in them was entirely shattered. They made it abundantly clear that my concerns meant nothing to them. Insurance is supposed to be a safety net for your worst moments, but Southern Cross pulls the rug out from under you the second you need it. If you are comparing travel insurers, save yourself the immense frustration and look literally anywhere else—especially if you have a disability and expect to be treated with a shred of understanding and respect.
Hi Mort. We're sorry to read… Read more (+1 reply)
Needed there services whilst overseas. Tried calling them on there 24/7 worldwide number and got an answering machine that told me i was calling outside of office hours. Would not use them again. Show details
Hi Peter. Thank you for taking… Read more
Recent reviews
I phoned Southern Cross to apply for my travel insurance as I have had a variety of health issues earlier this year. Organising the quote went well & fortunately I didn’t need to make claim on my policy. I read all the information & was very happy with the level of cover. Show details · 1
We had a hassle free trip so didn't need to make any claims. Despite this we had good piece of mind with the insurance in place if needed at a very affordable and competitive price. Show details · 1
Very competitive pricing and when a claim was made the funds were deposited back into my account within days. This made my holiday more relaxing and stress free. I can’t recommend Southern Cross Travel Insurance highly enough. Show details
I went with SCTI based on reviews. I had forgotten about it except for a couple of best wishes notifications. My plane was delayed on way home and I was pleasantly surprised to receive message that they were aware and not long after when delay was confirmed I received a $40 gift voucher. Wow. Show details
Was unfortunate to use SCTI while holidaying in Bali. I found they were helpful and very cooperative in assisting us back home to Australia. They were available when i needed them and worked with me when I was submitting my claim for reimbursement of all costs associate with the accident that we incurred. I would happily use them again if I travelled internationally. Show details · 1
I chose SCTI based on its reviews. As they say about insurances, you only know what they’re worth if you ever need to claim. And unfortunately my wife fell sick on our holiday to Thailand. I called the SCTI helpline and the call was picked up within minutes. I was given some options which were helpful to think through the situation. We didn’t end… Read more · 1
up altering our trip but there were doctors fees and medications. Upon return, I put in a claim and I was pleasantly surprised that the claim was approved within two days. I’ve never heard of that within most forms of insurances. This is in line with what I read in reviews that SCTI is great with claim process and my experience was exactly that. I would happily recommend them and would feel very comfortable buying this in the future as well.
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Hi Mary. We’re sorry to hear… Read more (+3 replies)