Today, Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) announces it has received an Outstanding Value – Domestic Travel Insurance Award and an Outstanding Value – Seniors’ Travel Insurance Award by Canstar in 2023. This is the second consecutive year SCTI has won both categories. These honours highlight SCTI’s commitment to providing exceptional coverage and service to travellers across all demographics.
CEO Jo McCauley expressed her gratitude and pride in SCTI’s achievements, stating, “These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team in providing high quality travel insurance solutions. We are honoured to be recognised for the outstanding value we offer to both domestic and senior travellers in Australia, and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards in the industry.”
She further emphasised, “At Southern Cross Travel Insurance, we understand the importance of offering tailored coverage that meets the diverse needs of travellers. Whether exploring the hidden gems of our own backyard or embarking on international adventures, our goal is to provide peace of mind by offering reliable and comprehensive insurance solutions.”
SCTI’s award for outstanding value to seniors is partly driven by SCTI’s commitment to ensuring Australians of any age can travel the world with peace of mind, by insuring travellers up to 118 years of age, and at a competitive price.
“Travel is a wonderful way to enrich your life, but it can also come with risks or challenges that older travellers need to be prepared for,” says McCauley. “We often pay claims for medical costs related to broken hips, strokes and even the flu which can be extremely debilitating and emotional situations to face when you’re overseas.
“Situations like these can be stressful for anyone, but particularly for older Australians who may be on a fixed income. We know that offering travel insurance policies that feature competitive benefits for an affordable premium gives our customers a great deal of security.”
SCTI has consistently been recognised as a leader in the travel insurance industry, regularly receiving awards for quality and customer satisfaction from institutions such as Finder and ITIJ. It also remains the #1 rated travel insurer by Australians on the customer review website ProductReview. The company’s commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and adaptability has positioned it as one to beat in the market. These recent awards underscore SCTI’s ongoing dedication to excellence, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted partner for travellers seeking reliable insurance coverage.
As part of its commitment to excellence, SCTI is continually reviewing its products and services to ensure its customers receive the best possible value and experience.
In April this year, it relaunched its International Comprehensive policy (previously known as TravelCare), to include additional pet care at a kennel or cattery if return travel is delayed, with $100 per day up to $1,000 per paying person, additional childcare expenses for parents or caregivers delayed in their return home – again with $100 per day up to a total of $1,000, rental vehicle excess benefit was doubled and increases were also made to the amount available for emergency dental treatment.
SCTI also introduced cruise cover as an optional ‘add on’ to its international and domestic policies and in October 2022 it launched an International Medical Only policy, expanding its product range to include a lower cost international travel insurance policy for travellers only seeking cover for medical expenses.
Canstar Research & Ratings Group Manager, Josh Sale says, “Southern Cross Travel Insurance stood out offering some of the strongest cover in the domestic market, including cancellation fees, loss of deposit, emergency travel arrangements, and rental vehicle cover.
“For seniors, Southern Cross stood out for offering a strong level of cover for a competitive premium for international destinations.”
Canstar is a trusted financial platform and Australia’s biggest financial comparison site, comparing more brands than any other. Canstar’s Travel Insurance Star Ratings and Awards use a sophisticated methodology, unique to Canstar, that compares travel insurance products offered to Australians travelling domestically or overseas.
Each eligible travel insurance product is awarded points for its comparative pricing and for the array of positive features attached to the product. Travel insurance policies are assessed across five consumer types including single, couple, family, mature single and senior single travellers along with ten destination regions, allowing consumers to create a shortlist of products to match their needs and/or budget.
