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Reviews
Just excellent !
First time we have used SCTI . Our choice of them based on quality surveys and their competitive policy pricing. On this trip we needed to make two claims. One quite large and one quite small. Both were processed efficiently, professionally and with care and consideration. Email communication thorough and always with quick response times. Phone conversations always practical and considerate. When they said they would call, they always did.They stick to policy detail as they should, but never quibble about policy responsibility.
Exceptional customer service ! Staff training with this organisation is impeccable and very successful. Show details
Good service, easy claim
SCTI provides a good service, and I've been happy to use them in the past. I've had to put through a claim for one of my trips, and it was a painless process with a quick response time.More recently, I had to make an amendment to a policy I purchased as I'd since decided to take additional equipment on the trip (i.e. needed more coverage). I felt the phone consultant was blunt and unfriendly when I asked about the coverage level and specifics.
Despite this, I'd still continue to use SCTI. Show details · 1
Helpful
I was travelling with a toddler and insurance is a must! Shopped for insurance online and I found Southern Cross' rate is very competitive compared to others. Had to make a claim and i got a feedback within the day thru email. Called them too and it's was painfree. Will book travel insurance with them again and will definitely recommend them. Show details · 1Easy to use and make a claim online
This is the first time I have used SCTI and I found it so easy to apply and sign up, including any existing medical condition I had, I had an emergency dental tooth accident that needed immediate attention, this was in Thailand and luckily was fixed temporarily so I can continue with my trip. The process was so easy to claim online and upload all my documents provided by the clinic, and received an email from SCTI to advised my claim was successful and the took the excess directly from the total. I had paid upfront to the clinic in Thailand, so… Read more · 1 it was a great peace of mind that I was re imbursed less the excess approx 10 days after my online claim , Highly recommended them, so easy to deal with online, will definitely use again in the future as my first choice for travel insurance, thankyou to all your staff.Why look anywhere else for travel insurance?
I have used SCTI for many years now, as have my family. We have always enjoyed their competitive rates and the ease of the on-line application process. In most cases our trips are completed without incident however we have had a couple of occasions where we have submitted claims. On each of these occasions SCTI have managed a straight forward and simple process and have settled our claims with a minimum of fuss. I wouldn't use anyone else for travel insurance. Show details · 1Good value, easy to set up travel insurance
Very easy to set up. Competitive price with good inclusions. I didn't need to make a claim (smooth, happy holiday fortunately), so I don't know what the claim process would be like. I would use Southern Cross again. Show details · 1Good Aussie service
Have insured with SCTI for a few overseas trips and was happy with their prices for oldies but never had a claim . This time was different and had a claim over car hire and supplied all the paperwork and SCTI paid in full. As a retiree I can't say how that made me feel after being had by a large well known car hire firm. Show details · 1Any trip always happen something you dislike but a good insurance makes you safe
holding a Travel Insurance makes me better and peaceful and I used this insurance company first time but the policy is good for me. Show details · 1Good Travel insurance to deal with
Quick turnaround, Excellent followup and very clear communication.Will definitely be using SCTI for my next overseas trip.
Happy to recommend SCTI. Show details · 1
the perfect holiday
Happy with the cover i received however very disappointed that I had a $75 excess due to diabetes type 2 I have not been ill changed medication or had any problems in the past 10 years. Show detailsWouldn't use again
Signing up was easy enough and the prices were competitive.However, two days into my trip I suspected I may have caught covid on my flight. I emailed SCTI in the early hours of the morning asking for advice and expected I would hear back within the day. First thing in the morning I visited the hotel clinic for a covid test and it came back negative, thankfully in the end my symptoms passed quickly, and the minor illness didn't impact our trip too much.
Had the test been positive, I would have called SCTI immediately. Given it was negative, I t... Read morehought I would wait to see the timeliness and helpfulness of SCTI's response to my email, and if it was good, I would know I could rely on them for my next trip. SCTI did not respond for almost 4 days, as I was in the airport to fly home. I have emailed them back mentioning I believe this to be unsatisfactory, and 3 days since I have not had a response. I certainly will not recommend this provider to anyone and won't be using them again, I do not believe if something had gone wrong that SCTI would have been of much help.
Hi Greg. Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback. We are sorry to hear about your experience with emailing us at SCTI, this is not the usual standard of service we aim to provide. We will pa... Read more
ss on your experience to the relevant team to ensure this does not happen again. In future, we also do have an emergency number and an emergency assistance email address, should the need ever arise where your email had not been seen in a timely manner. We hope you will consider us again in the future so we can rectify this experience. Take care - Maddie@SCTI.Good value travel insurance
This insurance was easy to set up, the terms and conditions are clear, and it is good value in comparison to other options. We fortunately did not need to make a claim on this policy. Show details · 1Peace of mind travel insurance
I have used SCTI on many occasions. I found the app easy to use and the rates very competitive.Fortunately I have not had to lodge a claim. Show details · 1
Flood damaged hire car not covered
Our claim was rejected because they only cover the excess of a damaged hire car, not damage to the hire car. Our car was caught in flood waters, the hire company's cover did not include "weather events"... OK, I thought, I have COMPREHENSIVE travel insunrance! You'd think that would give you piece of mind. Nope, they get out of paying because their policy only covers excess, not actual damage. We are $3600AUD out of pocket now. Makes you wonder what the point of this policy is if they are going to be so specific about technicalities to get out ... Read moreof paying. This damage was through no fault of our own, the only thing we can be blamed for is being lured into an insurance policy because it's cheap. I also checked this site and the reviews seemed favourable. I read the PDS and everything seemed ok, but you never know what might happen, so I suggest looking for a policy that doesn't have so many restrictive clauses that they can use to not cover you. Absolute waste of money and I definitely will not be falling into this trap again. I'd suggest the term "comprehensive" might be false advertising.Hi Daniel. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are sorry to hear that you are not happy with the outcome of your claim. Section D.8 of our International Comprehensive policy does state... Read more
: "We pay the non-refundable excess if the vehicle you’re renting is stolen or damaged because of an unexpected event during your journey." If you are still unhappy with your claim outcome, please let your claim assessor know and you can be entered into our complaints process. All the best - Maddie@SCTI.Travel insurance at a cost
Whilst I understand "old" people maybe a higher risk category than younger people I am disappointed other factors are not taken into consideration like level of fitness, weight and condition of the client.As a very fit 73 year old I feel discriminated against by the insurance industry's risk algorithm's they use! Also, why charge extra for a cruise where you are pampered and where I haven't seen too many people requiring extra medical attention!Therefor I don't believe the policy is"good value" Show detailsHi Rob. Sorry to hear you feel discriminated, it’s our aim to provide value that is fair and affordable across all customers. Although cruises are a great way travel, they’re not immune to when an une... Read more
xpected event might occur. We do provide cover for cruises as an optional add-on to your policy, so you have the choice to include this cover, if you wish to pay the additional premium. We hope you had a good trip. Take care - Maddie@SCTI.Questions & Answers
If one has a pre existing condition (eg high blood pressure) but it is being successfully managed through medication, does it need to be listed as a pre-existing condition?
Hi Ecpaul. Thank you for your question. Yes, this will need to be listed as a pre-existing condition, even if managed. You have the option to opt-out of cover for any pre-existing condition, once decl... Read more
ared, when purchasing the policy, this is because we do not automatically cover all conditions. Hope this helps! Take care - Maddie@SCTI.Hi can 2 travelers who are not related but travelling together do a combined policy and if so is it cheaper?
I don't know for sure but you can call Southern Cross. My guess is no though. We got a family policy. Usually unrelated people need their own policies.
Hi Rick, thank you for your question. You can list more than one person on your policy if they are travelling with you for the whole journey and they don’t need to be related. Your premium is dependen... Read more
t on each individual listed on the policy but if you’re travelling with a dependent child we’ll cover them at no additional cost. Feel free to start a quote through our website https://www.scti.com.au/. Let us know if you have any further questions. Take care - Maddie@SCTI.(a) Is the call from overseas to your helpline (1800-196-484) a reverse charge call or do I pay for the call?
(b) If the overseas hospitalisation expense is more than $2000 and approved by SCTI, does SCTI pay the hospital directly or do I pay first?
(c) Does your comprehensive travel insurance cover a new epidemic or pandemic that is NOT Covid?
Thanks.
Hi Iris. Thanks for your questions. There is a charge required when calling our helpline from overseas. SCTI may be able to pay the hospital directly on your behalf, or you can self-pay and then submi... Read more
t a claim- however there are many variables, so please ensure that you contact Southern Cross Emergency Assistance first to confirm. Epidemics and Pandemics are included in our list of general exclusions, as per section E.2 of our International Comprehensive PDS. All the best - Claire@SCTI.Details
Features
- To be eligible for domestic cover you must live in Australia permanently, be eligible for a Medicare card and travelling more than 100km (amongst other stipulated conditions).
- The domestic policy covers: changes to your journey, cancellations, baggage and personal items, rental vehicle excess, cash allowance in hospital, expense for a loved one if you’re in hospital, pet services, childcare expenses, funeral expenses, personal accident and personal liability.
- The international single trip policy covers one-off trips, while the international annual multi-trip option may be suitable if you travel frequently and up to 90 days at a time. Both policies are offered for either individuals or families. They include unlimited cover for medical costs and evacuation, cancelling or changing your journey before leaving, or after leaving, baggage and personal items, cash, bank cards, travel documents and passports, personal accidents, rental vehicle excess, personal liability, pet services, childcare expenses, and optional cover for cruises, mopeds and motorbikes, and skiing and snowboarding.
- Some policy options may include cover for dependent children under 18, and or young adults aged 18-21 - provided some conditions are met.
Points of praise
- Good value for money was one of the definite plus points about Southern Cross insurance policies.
- According to reviewers, this insurer was accommodating about approving claims for cancelled trips due to COVID-19, including cancelled flights.
- Points were awarded for the travel insurer's transparent policies, which were easy to understand.
- The customer service is friendly, proactive and efficient. It makes this an easy company to deal with.
- The claims process was reported to be quick and easy. Once approved, money was refunded into bank accounts quickly.
| Get a Quote | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Travel Insurance | Travel Insurance | Travel Insurance | Travel Insurance |
| Underwriter | Southern Cross Benefits Ltd | Southern Cross Benefits Ltd | Southern Cross Benefits Ltd | Southern Cross Benefits Ltd |
| Maximum Age Covered | 118 years old | 118 years old | 118 years old | 118 years old |
| Medical Coverage | ||||
| Overseas Emergency Assistance | Unlimited | Unlimited | Not Included | Unlimited |
| Accidental Death | $50,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Emergency Dental | $2,000 | $2,000 | Not Included | $2,000 |
| Pregnancy (max weeks) | 24 weeks | 24 weeks | 20 weeks | 24 weeks |
| Resumption of Journey | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included |
| Hospital Cash Allowance | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Overseas Emergency Medical & Hospital Expenses | Unlimited | Unlimited | Not Covered | Unlimited |
| Loss of Income | $6,500 | Not Included | Not Included | $6,500 |
| Permanent Disability | $50,000 | Not Included | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Luggage & Personal Effects | ||||
| Theft of Cash | $500 | Not Included | Not Included | $500 |
| Delayed Luggage | $1,000 | Not Included | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Maximum Single Item Limit | $3,000 (Laptops, Tablets, Cameras) | Not Included | $750 | $3,000 (Laptops, Tablets, Cameras) |
| Luggage & Personal Effects | $25,000 | Not Included | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Ancillary | ||||
| Personal Liability | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Rental Vehicle Excess | $10,000 | Not Included | $6,000 | $10,000 |
| Motorbike / Moped Coverage | Optional add-on up to 200cc | Not Included | Not Included | Optional add-on up to 200cc |
| Domestic Pet Care | $1000 | Not Included | $500 | $1000 |
| Special Activities Packages | ||||
| Golf | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included |
| Cruise | Optional Extra | Not Included | Not Included | Optional Extra |
| Adventure | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included |
| Snow / Ski | Optional Extra | Not Included | Not Included | Optional Extra |
| Manual | Download manual | Download manual | Download manual | Download manual |
| Awards | 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2 more | 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2 more | 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2 more | 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2 more |
Contact info for Southern Cross Travel Insurance
| Mon | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Tue | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
| Wed | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
| Thu | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
| Fri | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
- ABN: 99133401939
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Hi Ruth. Thank you for your feedback. We are pleased to hear you had the perfect holiday! There is the option to opt-out of the medical cover for pre-existing conditions should you wish when purchasin... Read more
g a policy in future, this means should any issue arise from this medical condition there will be no cover, but will have no extra excess to pay. Take care - Maddie@SCTI.