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Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Southern Cross Travel Insurance review

Southern Cross Travel Insurance offers unlimited cover for trip cancellation or amendments for domestic trips – just one of the benefits that helps this long-established brand stand out from some competitors.

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Gary Hunter

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Cristal Dyer
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Important

Travel insurance rules continue to change as a result of the pandemic. Some information may not be accurate at this time. It’s even more important to double-check all details that matter to you before taking out cover. Please note:
    • Some policies may not be available through Finder at this time
    • It’s unlikely that your policy will cover expenses from border closures

    Our verdict

    • Southern Cross' cover limit of $15,000 for theft or damage to your luggage and personal items in Australia is one of the highest we’ve seen.
    • This provider offers a manageable standard excess payment of $100 for Australia-linked claims – this figure was less than most partners on our site.
    • Its personal liability cover of up to $2,500,000 could meet the needs of most, but competitors such as Amex and Fast Cover do offer twice as much for their domestic cover.

    Review by our senior insurance writer James Martin

    Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) offers cover to travellers from Australia and New Zealand. Its comprehensive policies include cover for international and domestic travel.

    Southern Cross Travel Insurance is not currently available via Finder. You can visit its website at www.scti.com.au for more information or compare alternative options available below.

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    Pros and cons of Southern Cross Travel Insurance

    Pros

    • SCTI's cover limit of $25,000 for theft or damage to your belongings is one of the highest we’ve seen.
    • Dependent children up to the age of 21 are covered for free.
    • Travellers can extend cover while already overseas up to a maximum of 1 year worth of cover.
    • SCTI covers travellers up to the age of 118 years old.

    Cons

    • Personal liability cover of $1 million for overseas travel is much lower than competitors.
    • There are no pre-exisiting conditions covered as standard and there are strict conditions around undiagnosed conditions.
    • Pregnancy after the 20th week is not covered.
    • There is no cover for cruises that stay in Australian waters.

    Will Southern Cross Travel Insurance cover COVID-19?

    Southern Cross Travel Insurance is one of just a handful of insurers we've found that offer some cover for some COVID-related claims. 3 key benefits are as follows:

    1. Medical expenses if you are diagnosed while on your journey (overseas policies only).
    2. Pre-trip cancellation and amendment costs to change your travel arrangements if you or a relevant person are diagnosed prior to your travel.
    3. Cancellation and amendment costs if you or a relevant person are diagnosed during your trip and it’s interrupted or cut short.

    There are some scenarios that are not covered and you should review the Southern Cross Travel Insurance product disclosure statement (PDS) before making a decision on whether this cover meets your needs.

    COVID-19 exclusions include: Travel to a destination that Smartraveller has rated a "Level 3" or "Level 4", costs related to lockdowns or government restrictions or costs related to any pause to quarantine-free travel.

    What policies are available with Southern Cross Travel Insurance?

    In total, Southern Cross offers 3 travel insurance policies. These are:

    Domestic travel insurance

    This covers you for all the important things you generally get protected for when you travel except you don't need to get cover for medical care because thanks to Medicare, you don't need it. A domestic policy can cover you for cancelling or changing your travel plans, luggage and personal items, pet care and childcare costs if you're delayed getting home, personal accident and more.

    Overseas single trip

    Comprehensive cover for international travel for up to 12 months. This includes medical and evacuation, cancelling or changing your journey, baggage and rental car excess cover. It also provides automatic cover if you're travelling overseas on a cruise ship. This policy doesn't cover you if you're travelling on a domestic-only cruise.

    Overseas annual multi-trip

    This is designed for those who travel a few times within a year who are looking for comprehensive cover. You can choose a maximum trip duration of 30, 60 or 90 days and get cover for all the same benefits as the single trip policy, except you don't need to worry about buying multiple policies throughout the year.

    What policy benefits does Southern Cross Travel Insurance offer?

    Here are some of the main policy benefits to help you find out if SCTI can provide the right cover for you.

    Domestic travelOverseas travel – IndividualOverseas travel – Family
    Medical and evacuation
    		UnlimitedUnlimited
    Cancelling or changing your journey before you leaveUnlimited

    Cover chosen

    Cover chosen

    Changes to your journey once you have left$50,000$100,000
    Baggage and personal items$15,000$25,000$50,000
    Cash, bank cards, travel documents and passports
    		$1,000$2,000
    Personal accident$25,000$25,000$50,000
    Rental vehicle excess$6,000$5,000$5,000
    Cash allowance while in hospital (to help cover extra costs like parking fees)$3,000$3,000$3,000
    Personal liability$2,500,000$1,000,000$1,000,000

    Table was last updated: June 2021

    Domestic travel insurance also provides cover for an "accompanying person" (for example, to have a loved one travel to be with you while you're in hospital), pet services and childcare expenses.

    Optional extras with Southern Cross Travel Insurance

    For more flexibility, Southern Cross Travel Insurance gives you the option to add extra cover onto your policy. This can be done after you select your level of cover.

    • Taking any valuables? Under the baggage and personal items benefit, you will have sub-limits for items such as jewellery and electronics (including cameras). If the value of the item that you're taking on your trip exceeds these amounts, you might want to get specified items cover. This is for personal items which are valued at more than $1,500. You can pay an additional premium for them to be listed on your certificate of insurance.
    • Going skiing or snowboarding while overseas? Get additional cover to be protected for gear damage or the medical expenses incurred if you injure yourself on the slopes. You'll need to wear a helmet or you might void your policy.
    • Riding a moped or motorbike while overseas? Get additional cover to protect yourself and your bike in case the unexpected happens. SCTI will only cover incidents involving bikes under 200cc.

    Southern Cross Travel Insurance for cruising

    SCTI includes cruise cover in its overseas travel policies at no additional costs. However, just be mindful that if you fall ill while the cruise ship is in Australian waters, you'll need to seek treatment through Medicare or your private health insurance. You can make a claim under your overseas travel policy for any costs that are not covered.

    Top tips for cruise travel insurance from SCTI:

    1. Make sure you declare all the countries that you will visit on the cruise, along with all the other countries you might visit while on land.
    2. If you plan on engaging in water sports such as snorkelling or kayaking, double-check your PDS to make sure you're covered for these activities. A list of excluded activities can be found on page 36 of the PDS.
    3. Buy your insurance early to cover you for cancellations prior to departure.

    What won't be covered under my policy?

    Southern Cross Travel Insurance will not generally provide any cover in the following situations:

    • If your claim arises due to a pre-existing condition that is not covered by your policy
    • If your claim arises due to a sexually transmitted infection (excluding covered conditions relating to HIV)
    • Pregnancy after the 20th week
    • If you travel against medical advice
    • If your claim relates to most elective or cosmetic procedures
    • If your claim arises because of being under the influence of alcohol, solvents or any other illegal drug
    • If you go hitchhiking
    • If you engage in any unlawful activity
    • If your claim is for loss of enjoyment
    • If you participate in any professional or contact sport, motorsport, hunting, abseiling or paragliding
    • If you intentionally or recklessly put yourself in harm's way

    Read Southern Cross Travel Insurance's PDS for a full list of situations that won't be covered.

    Making a claim with Southern Cross Travel Insurance

    Making a claim with Southern Cross Travel Insurance is easy and the whole process can be done online. Remember to keep any supporting documents such as receipts, medical notes or police reports to help your claim go through smoothly.

    Questions you might still have about Southern Cross Travel Insurance

    Read more


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    29 Responses

    1. Default Gravatar
      MaritzaJuly 23, 2019

      What should I be looking carefully at for mum’s travel insurance?
      She is 82yrs old, we are going to Europe.
      My main concern is if she falls and breaks a bone will any insurance cover her for that, even though she has osteoporosis?
      Thank you very much.

      Reply
      • Avatarfinder Customer Care
        JoshuaJuly 24, 2019Staff

        Hi Maritza,

        Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃

        The answer to your question would depend on your policy’s level of cover. It is worth noting that there’s a chance that your chosen travel insurance company would charge more for policies or change the coverage limits for older travellers such as your mum.

        Osteoporosis is most likely considered a pre-existing condition. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t get travel insurance for your mum. You simply need to disclose it upon booking your travel insurance.

        To find a list of travel insurance for seniors, simply enter your mum’s travel details on the form to get a quote.

        You can also find travel insurance for pre-existing conditions.

        I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.

        Have a wonderful day!

        Cheers,
        Joshua

        Reply
    2. Default Gravatar
      DianeSeptember 1, 2016

      Trying to find out looking for travel insurance for two weeks I am waiting for knee replacement surgery am I covered for this if I have a problem with them not expecting anything as it is controls by meds till have it done only take meds when required am aged 62

      Reply
      • Avatarfinder Customer Care
        RichardSeptember 2, 2016Staff

        Hi Diane,

        Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is comparison service and not an insurer. Cover for pre-existing conditions vary from insurer to insurer and from case to case. You should contact the travel insurance brand you’re interested in to discuss your options.

        All the best,
        Richard

        Reply
    3. Default Gravatar
      LouiseJuly 29, 2016

      My husband and I took out Southern Cross Travel insurance. We were to fly to Istanbul on 29 June 2016. On 28 June there was a terrorist attack at the airport at Istanbul.
      We were advised at the airport not to continue with our travel plans so spent approx $5000 and bought new flight tickets home. Can we make a claim with our travel insurance policy?

      Reply
      • Avatarfinder Customer Care
        RichardJuly 29, 2016Staff

        Hi Louise,

        Thanks for your question. It will depend on when you bought your policy. You’ll need to contact SCTI directly for claims, which you can by heading to their claims page.

        I hope this was helpful,
        Richard

        Reply
    4. Default Gravatar
      BruceJune 14, 2016

      What travel policies cover riding motorcycles over 250cc when correctly licenced , and define a motor vehicle includes a motorcycle

      Reply
      • Avatarfinder Customer Care
        RichardJune 14, 2016Staff

        Hi Bruce,

        Thanks for your question. The highest listed engine capacity listed by the travel insurance brands in our panel is 250cc. For more information, you may find our travel insurance for motorcycles page, useful.

        I hope this was helpful,
        Richard

        Reply
    5. Default Gravatar
      MikeDecember 19, 2015

      Do any insurers / policies cover cancellation costs resulting from the financial failure of a service provider?

      Thanks

      Reply
      • Avatarfinder Customer Care
        RichardDecember 21, 2015Staff

        Hi Mike,

        Thanks for you question. There are some travel insurance brands that will cover financial default. You can see a list of insurers and compare them from our guide on how to get travel insurance for insolvency.

        Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.

        I hope this was helpful,
        Richard

        Reply
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