Review the cover available and find out why SCTI is so popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Since entering the insurance market in 1982, Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has become a well-known insurer for Australians and New Zealanders, with travel insurance options including unlimited medical and evacuation cover, worldwide emergency assistance and free cover for dependent children.
This review details the cover provided under different plans from Southern Cross Travel Insurance.
Compare Southern Cross policies and get a free quote
How do SCTI policies compare side-by-side?
Southern Cross offers the TravelCare range of policies, available as single trip and frequent traveller cover, for individuals and families. Below is what's included under the Southern Cross Single Journey and Annual Frequent Traveller Policies. Please note that some of the cover options have sub-limits for certain events.
| Cover Feature | Individual Single Journey | Family Single Journey | Single Frequent Traveller | Family Frequent Traveller |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Evacuation | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Changes to Your Journey | $50,000 | $100,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| Baggage and Personal Items | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Cash and Travel Documents | $1,000 | $2,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Personal Accident | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Personal Liability | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Rental Vehicle Excess | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
Who Underwrites Southern Cross Travel Insurance?
Southern Cross Benefits limited is a registered financial services provider and member of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Southern Cross underwrites the TravelCare suite of products.
How does SCTI compare to other providers?
Compare this policy side by side with other leading brands
What am I actually covered for?
Medical
Subject to all terms of your policy, you are covered for:
- Medical expenses and evacuation so you can be reimbursed for unexpected medical expenses during your journey. Medical evacuation is also covered if you need to be repatriated to Australia.
- Emergency dental treatment needed for relief of acute dental pain.
- Cash allowance while in hospital to help you cover necessary expenses.
- Extra travel and accommodation costs incurred if you are medically unable to travel.
- A visitor's travel, accommodation and meal costs if you are hospitalised for at least 10 days while travelling alone, so someone can come and stay with you.
- Funeral expenses or the return of an insured person's mortal remains to Australia.
Changes to your journey
- Cancellation and alternation cover to reimburse unrecoverable expenses if you have to cancel or alter your journey before leaving Australia, for example due to an unexpected illness.
- Travel interruption if your trip is delayed or disrupted for at least 12 hours, such as if a cancelled flight leads to your missing a connection, you can be covered for reasonable transport, accommodation and other costs incurred in returning to your journey.
- Curtailment and special events cover, when unexpected delays cause you to miss a special event, or if an unexpected event forces you to cut your journey short and return home.
Baggage, personal items, cash and travel documents
- Baggage and personal belongings cover for insured items that are lost, stolen and damaged items while travelling, including cover for lost or stolen cash.
- Baggage delay. If an airline misplaces your baggage for 12 hours or more, you can be reimbursed up to the relevant limits for the cost of buying essential items of clothing and personal effects until your bags catch up with you.
- If your essential bank cards, travel documents or passports are lost, stolen or damaged, SCTI can reimburse you for the cost of their replacement.
Personal accident
- Loss of income, if you are unable to work after returning home due to an injury sustained on your journey.
- Total permanent disablement, if an injury sustained on your journey has resulted in permanent disability
Personal liability
- Personal liability insurance up to $1 million if you become legally liability for damages, compensation or legal expenses, if your negligence has led to a third party's bodily injury or property damage.
Rental vehicle excess
- If you hire a rental vehicle overseas and it is stolen or damaged on your journey, SCTI can reimburse you for the non-refundable excess payable to the rental company up to the relevant limits.
Different cover options to suit your travel needs
SCTI offers two policy types, both of which are available as single and family cover.
- Single policy. A single journey policy to cover a single journey overseas
- Annual policy. A annual frequent traveller policy to cover an unlimited number of journeys over a 12 month period. An individual journey cannot be longer than 90 days under this policy type.
This means solo travellers, couples and families alike, whether they're occasional or frequentr travellers, can look for cover to match their situation. To help ensure you have cover for your destination, SCTI has three different regions to choose from:
- New Zealand and South Pacific
- Limited World – Excluding USA and Canada
- World – Including USA and Canada
Cover the kids for free
Southern Cross will provide free child cover provided they are:
- Your unmarried children, stepchildren, foster children, grand children, nieces or nephews
- Aged 17 years or under
- Not engaged in full-time employment
SCTI ski cover, cruise insurance and other TravelCare features
| Cover | SCTI |
|---|---|
| Does SCTI cover cruise travel? | Yes - Cruise travel insurance is automatically included |
| Does SCTI offer snowsports cover? | Yes - Ski cover is automatically included |
| Who is it underwritten by? | Southern Cross Benefits Ltd |
| What is the cooling off period? | 14 days |
| Are dependents covered at no extra cost? | Yes, children under 17 can be covered for free |
| Is there an excess eliminator? | No |
| How long can single trips be on an annual policy? | 90 days |
| What is the Southern Cross Travel Insurance age limit? | There is no maximum age limit to purchase the TravelCare policy |
| Baggage & Personal Items | $25,000 |
| Travel Documents | $1,000 |
| Cancellation and trip interruption | $50,000 |
| Medical & Evacuation | Unlimited |
| Personal Accident | $25,000 |
| Personal Liability | $1,000,000 |
| Rental Vehicle Excess | $5,000 |
Compare SCTI next to Travel Insurance Direct and 1Cover
How much excess will I be charged?
A $100 excess applies per event, for claims made under Changes to Your Journey, Baggage and Personal Items, and Cash and Travel Documents cover. This is how much you will need to pay towards certain claims.
This applies per event. For example, if SCTI accepts a claim for changes to your journey following a storm, and pays for your extra hotel rooms, meals and replacement flights, you will only need to pay $100 in total for all of these, if they were all the result of the same storm.
Back to topWhy should I consider getting a Southern Cross travel policy?
Key Benefits
SCTI offers comprehensive cover to help make sure you won't be unexpectedly caught short by basic cover.
It automatically includes snowsports cover, cruise cover and cover for a wide range of sports and activities, instead of making you take them as an option and has no age limits on its policies, unlike other insurers.
- 24 hour worldwide emergency assistance
- overseas hospitalisation and medical expenses
- medical evacuation back to Australia
- travel cancellations and interruptions
- lost, stolen or damaged personal items
- personal accident
- personal liability
- rental vehicle excess
Worldwide Assistance
With Southern Cross you can get access to a global network of emergency medical resources, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This Emergency Assistance can help you locate the nearest registered English speaking medical practitioner, arrange emergency medical evacuation and provide payment guarantees to hospitals or emergency clinics.
This means you can travel with more peace of mind, knowing that help is available and that you can get the right medical care if something happens.
Am I able to make changes to my policy?
I want to extend my policy, can I?
You can contact SCTI to request an extension of your policy but some conditions apply
- No extension will be provided for Single Journey cover once the initial policy has expired. You will need to get in touch before the original policy expires.
- No extension will be provided for a multi-trip policy once the 90th day of a journey has passed.
- Events that have occurred before the new policy is issued may not be considered unexpected by the extended policy.
- You will need to let SCTI know reasons for the extension and where you plan to travel.
I want to amend my policy, is that possible?
You can amend your policy by contacting SCTI with your amendment details. An additional charge may apply and you cannot make amendments after your trip has started.
Back to topCan I get cover for a pre-existing condition?
Some conditions, such as acne, asthma, migraines and hay-fever, are often covered automatically, while other pre-existing medical conditions are excluded unless you have requested cover for them.
To request cover, or check whether or not any of your conditions are covered automatically, you can complete a medical assessment form while getting a Southern Cross travel insurance quote online.
SCTI will check the form and let you know whether or not it can be covered, and if it will cost more. There's no obligation for getting a quote, so you can get all the details before choosing whether or not you want to take out cover for your pre-existing condition.
If you don't want to get it covered, you can also choose to simply not complete the form.
| Condition Category | Definition | What you need to do |
|---|---|---|
| Automatically covered | Condition is recognised as controlled and is automatically covered by Southern Cross Travel Insurance | You must tell SCTI if the injury or illness occurs after the start date of your policy but before the commencement of your journey |
| Can be covered | The condition is covered once you have completed the medical assessment process, SCTI has received any additional premium payments and has emailed you to confirm your cover. | You must notify SCTI if there is a change to your condition after the start date of your insurance but before the commencement of your journey |
| Not Covered | SCTI has reviewed the medical assessment and declined to cover the condition, or you didn't complete the medical assessment | Condition will remain uncovered for the period of insurance |
Can I get cover for my camera, jewellery or other expensive items?
"Specified items" are those which you name when taking out cover, usually because they're especially valuable. "Unspecified items" are those which you have not mentioned specifically.
SCTI provide the following cover for "unspecified items." These will be valued at the original purchase, less appropriate depreciation.
- $2,500 maximum for Jewellery/watches
- $3,000 maximum for unspecified Laptops/Tablets/Personal Computers
- $1,500 maximum for other unspecified items per journey
Southern Cross Travel Insurance provides the following cover for "specified items." These may valued at the lesser of either the value you provide, or the amount that SCTI has independently valued them at.
- $10,000 maximum payment per item
- $15,000 maximum total paid for all specified items per journey
What evidence will be required for specified items in a claim?
- Original receipt dated within 12 months from when item was specified for cover or
- Original receipt as proof of ownership and valuation dated within 12 months from when item was covered
- Documentation showing items specified on contents insurance policy dated within 12 months that item was specified.
How do I make a claim with Southern Cross?
If you require hospitalisation, surgery or if someone has died, call SC Emergency Assistance for help on +612 9191 1180 as soon as you are able. For other situations, you can make claims online.
Step 1
You will need to submit your claim using the SCTI online claiming system. The main Southern Cross Travel Insurance policyholder must enter their personal details including:
- Policy number
- Date of birth
- Last name
- Email address.
Once these details have been submitted, you will be forwarded onto your policy. To submit a claim, you must have access to an Australian bank account number.
Step 2
What section do I enter my claim under? You will need to determine the type of claim you are lodging. Options include:
- Medical & Evacuation. If you are claiming for an overseas medical expenses.
- Changes to Your Journey. If you are claiming for missed flights or cancelled accommodation and tour/s.
- Medical & Evacuation. If you are claiming for additional accommodation, travel, communication or meal costs incurred overseas as the result of an illness or injury.
Step 3
Where do I send my receipts and documents for my claim? Once you have submitted your claim online, SCTI will send you a confirmation email with your claim number. The email will also contain an attachment with a header sheet. You will need to print out, sign and send the header sheet to SCTI, along with original copies of any supporting documentation. Post all original supporting documents (along with your claim number) to:
Southern Cross Travel Insurance
PO Box 5176
SOUTH MELBOURNE
VIC 3205
Southern Cross Travel Insurance FAQs
Q. Can I extend my Southern Cross Travel Insurance policy when I'm overseas?
- A. If you are overseas and you choose to extend your journey, you can request an extension of your policy by emailing SCTI at info@scti.com.au.
Q. Can I change my policy after I have applied for it?
- A. It is possible to make adjustments to your policy provided you have not yet departed Australia. An additional charge may apply for some amendments.
Q. I have a pre-existing medical condition, is it covered under the Southern Cross Travel Insurance policy?
- A. You can apply for cover by completing an online medical assessment during the policy application process. Once you have entered your travel details and selected that you have a pre-existing condition, you will be able to enter the name of the condition and if applicable, you will be prompted to provide more details about it. You will be able to view the results of your medical assessment with no obligation to purchase the policy. Depending on the travel related risk of your pre-existing condition, an additional premium will apply if SCTI are able to offer cover. If you choose to pay the additional premium, the condition would be considered a covered condition under the policy. If there is a change to your covered condition after your start date of Insurance, but prior to your start date of journey, you must notify SCTI. If SCTI does not offer cover for your pre-existing condition, or you choose to 'opt out' of having the condition covered under the policy, any claims arising directly or indirectly from the Pre-Existing Condition will be excluded under all sections of the policy.
Q. How do you cancel a Southern Cross Travel Insurance policy?
- A. If you are not completely satisfied with the terms and conditions of your policy, you may cancel within 14 days of purchase, but before your start date of journey, and receive a full refund provided no claims have been made. If you cancel later than 14 days after purchase, but before your start date of journey, you are still entitled to a refund, less a $35 cancellation fee. If you cancel your policy no claims may be made by you. No premium is refundable once a claim is made, or after your start date of journey. To cancel your policy, please use the online cancellation function on the SSouthern Cross Travel Insurance website.
Q. Am I covered for Cruise Trips?
- A. Yes. Worldwide cruises are covered by TravelCare travel insurance.
Q. Am I covered for Ski Trips?
- A. Yes, SCTI’s travel insurance provides comprehensive cover for ski or snow trips as part of their regular travel insurance policy.
Q. How long can I take for each trip with an annual multi-trip policy?
- A. You can be covered for 90 days per trip.
Q. Why is SCTI competitively priced?
- A. The cover is provided direct to you with SCTI acting as underwriter, insurer and retailer – there is no middleman.
Q. Does Southern Cross Cover Overseas Work?
- A. No, SCTI policies are designed for people who are travelling for leisure. Work, including volunteer work undertaken overseas during your trip, are excluded from the TravelCare policy. Work cover is only provided if you're attending a conference, trade fair, business training course or meeting, or are working in an office (no manual activities or manual work are allowed).
Q. Does Southern Cross Travel Insurance cover Terrorism?
- A. Southern Cross Travel Insurance will provide up to $100,000 per policy for Medical and Evacuation due to Terrorism. No benefit will be paid for other losses that are a result of terrorism.
Q. Is cover available for international students?
- A. Yes SCTI International Student travel insurance has been especially designed to provide cover for international students visiting New Zealand. This cover is available to visiting students with a current New Zealand visa.
Q. Does Southern Cross cover riding motorcycles or mopeds overseas?
- A. Southern Cross does not cover riding a moped or motorcycle in the following circumstances:
(a) If the capacity of the engine is more than 200cc
(b) If the driver and/or passenger is not wearing a helmet
(c) If the driver does not have a drivers licence that is valid in the country they are travelling in
Q. Who is covered under a “family” policy?
- A. An SCTI family policy will cover two adults, or two adults and any of their dependent children.
Q. Who is covered under an “individual policy?"
- A. Individual applies to one person, or one adult and any of their dependent children.
Q. How do I contact Southern Cross if I need emergency assistance?
- A. You can contact SCTI on +61 2 9191 1180, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Is Southern Cross Travel Insurance any good?
- An APRA and ASIC regulated general insurer, SCTI insures hundreds of thousands of travellers.
- SCTI is a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service, the Insurance Council of Australia and a signatory to the Australian General Insurance Code of Practice.
- SCTI won the CANSTAR International Travel Insurance star rating award for Outstanding Value for the 2014 travel insurance survey. The CANSTAR ratings are awarded to companies that have ‘the right balance between price and product features’, and 2014 is the sixth year in a row SCTI has achieved this award.
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
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
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?
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 do by calling 1800 196 484 or by heading to their claims page.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
What travel policies cover riding motorcycles over 250cc when correctly licenced , and define a motor vehicle includes a motorcycle
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
Do any insurers / policies cover cancellation costs resulting from the financial failure of a service provider?
Thanks
Hi Mike,
Thanks for you question. There are some travel insurance brands that will cover financial default. Please consult our travel insurance for insolvency page for more information.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
I had a heart attack some 14 years ago,valve replacement stents and by pass 8 years later can you suggest a suitable policy for a 14day trip to miami
Hi Noel,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and we are not permitted to may product recommendations. However, many providers will access your pre-existing condition at the time of application. As these providers offer cover on a case-by-case basis there is no guarantee you’ll be granted cover. Insurers that do offer cover for pre-existing conditions include InsureandGo (who claim to consider all conditions) and CoverMore (who assess medical conditions prior to travel issuing travel insurance).
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Is snow skiing covered by Southern Cross
Hi Walter,
Thanks for your question. It’ll depend on your policy but generally SCTI’s travel insurance provide comprehensive coverage for ski or snow trips.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
I am going to Thailand. I want to make sure that I will be covered if there is a natural disaster- accom transport food etc like the bali ash cloud or tsunami. Also if I go to the markets and my bag is stolen or cut open like they do. Does my money get replaced? I think those are my main concerns
Hi Leah84,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and not an insurer. What you are or are not covered for will depend on the policy and the insurer.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
I need to know , if by taking travel insurance, i need to cancel my trip and my flights,because of someone very close in my family might get very ill(dying), before a few days need to go on the holiday!
Hi Lana,
Thanks for your question. It depends on the insurer and the person who is ill. Insurers will generally have conditions around the age of the person who is sick and also whether it is a pre-exiting condition. Your best bet would be to contact your insurer for clarification.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Do you have a ‘medical only’ type policy for a five month trip
to Thailand
Hi Ron,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and not an insurer. If you would like to review the medical only policies provided by insurers in our panel, please enter your travel details into the quoting engine above.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Hello, what is the process is required to make a claim with your company?
Thanks