Southern Cross vs Allianz vs CoverMore - The Definitive Travel Insurance Comparison for New Zealanders Heading Overseas
We compare Southern Cross, Allianz and CoverMore - the three insurers that underwrite every travel insurance policy sold in New Zealand. We cover side-by-side policy benefits, destination-specific recommendations for Australia, Japan, USA, Rarotonga and the UK, and outline which insurer is best for cruises, pregnancy, over 70s, pre-existing conditions and more.
Updated 20 March 2026
Summary
To help explain what you need to know, our guide covers:
Know This: Our dedicated guides go deeper: If you already know your specific need, our guides to pregnancy travel insurance, cruise travel insurance, travel insurance for unexpected events, pre-existing conditions, over 70s travel insurance and annual multi-trip travel insurance each provide detailed analysis. This guide helps you decide which insurer to start with.
Summary
- Every travel insurance policy sold in New Zealand is underwritten by one of four companies. Three of those - Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI), Allianz Travel Insurance and CoverMore - sell directly to consumers and control their own products, pricing and claims. This guide compares them head to head.
- The right insurer depends on where you’re going, what risks matter most, and what you’re willing to pay. A policy that’s ideal for a week in Australia may not be the best choice for three weeks in the USA or a cruise through the Pacific.
To help explain what you need to know, our guide covers:
- Side-by-Side Policy Comparison
- The Four Most Significant Differences Between Travel Insurers
- The Best Travel Insurer by Destination
- The Best Travel Insurer by Need
- Frequently Asked Questions
Know This: Our dedicated guides go deeper: If you already know your specific need, our guides to pregnancy travel insurance, cruise travel insurance, travel insurance for unexpected events, pre-existing conditions, over 70s travel insurance and annual multi-trip travel insurance each provide detailed analysis. This guide helps you decide which insurer to start with.
Why We Compare These Three Insurers
For reference, the following brands resell policies underwritten by the companies in this guide:
- New Zealand’s travel insurance market has dozens of brands but only a small number of actual underwriters - the companies that assess risk, set policy terms, and pay claims. When you buy travel insurance from AA, AMP or Tower, your policy is underwritten by Allianz Travel Insurance (via Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance).
- When you buy from Air New Zealand, AMI, State Insurance or Webjet, your policy is underwritten by Zurich (via CoverMore).
- HDI Global Specialty SE underwrites TINZ and 1Cover.
- This guide focuses on the three underwriters that sell directly to consumers - when you buy from SCTI, Allianz or CoverMore, you deal with one company from purchase through to claim. There’s no intermediary between you and the team making decisions about your claim.
For reference, the following brands resell policies underwritten by the companies in this guide:
- AA, AMP, Tower, Mix & Match - Allianz (Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance)
- Air New Zealand, AMI, State Insurance, Webjet - CoverMore (Zurich)
- Our country-specific travel insurance guides compare all 12+ insurers including these resellers. This guide focuses on the three underwriters because that’s where the real policy differences sit.
Side-by-Side Policy Comparison
This section compares the International Comprehensive policies from each insurer. All limits are per person unless stated otherwise.
Important finding from our policy review: Allianz Travel Insurance’s overseas medical cover is capped at $20 million per person - not unlimited. Southern Cross Travel Insurance and CoverMore both provide unlimited medical cover. For most destinations, $20 million is adequate. For catastrophic USA medical events, unlimited cover provides greater certainty.
Important finding from our policy review: Allianz Travel Insurance’s overseas medical cover is capped at $20 million per person - not unlimited. Southern Cross Travel Insurance and CoverMore both provide unlimited medical cover. For most destinations, $20 million is adequate. For catastrophic USA medical events, unlimited cover provides greater certainty.
1. Core Medical Cover
| Benefit | SCTI International Comprehensive | Allianz Comprehensive | CoverMore Comprehensive+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underwriter | Southern Cross Benefits Limited | Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (issued by Allianz Partners/AWP) | Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ZAIL) |
| Overseas Medical Cover | Unlimited | $20 million | Unlimited (12 months from onset) |
| Emergency Dental | $2,000 | Included in medical limit | $3,000 |
| Continued NZ Medical Expenses | Not specified separately | Not specified separately | $2,000 |
| Funeral / Return of Remains | $50,000 | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| Hospital Cash Allowance | $100/day after 3 consecutive days | Not offered as standalone benefit | $100/night after 48hrs (up to $10,000) |
| Terrorism Medical Cover | $100,000 (unique in NZ) | Not covered | Not covered |
2. Cancellation and Travel Changes
| Benefit | SCTI International Comprehensive | Allianz Comprehensive | CoverMore Comprehensive+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancellation Cover | $2,500 to unlimited (you choose) | As selected (up to $200,000) | As selected (per policy) |
| Travel Interruption / Additional Expenses | $30,000 (interruption) / $50,000 (cutting short) | $50,000 (additional expenses) | Unlimited (additional expenses) |
| Travel Delay | Covered under unexpected events framework | $2,000 (sub-limits per day) | $3,000 ($300 per 6hr period then per 24hrs) |
| Missed Connections | Covered under changes to journey | Not specified as standalone benefit | $3,000 |
| Airline Insolvency | Not covered | Not covered | $10,000 (unique in NZ) |
| Terrorism Cancellation | Not covered | Not covered | 75% up to $10,000 (unique in NZ, conditions apply) |
3. Baggage and Personal Items
| Benefit | SCTI International Comprehensive | Allianz Comprehensive | CoverMore Comprehensive+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Baggage Cover | $25,000 | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Per-Item Electronics | $3,000 each (up to $10,000 all) | Sub-limits within $10,000 total | $2,500–$6,000 by item type |
| Jewellery/Watch Per Item | $1,500 (up to $2,500 all) | Sub-limits apply | $2,000 |
| Specified Items Available | Yes — up to $10,000 per item | Yes — Increased Item Limits Cover | Yes — increased item limit option |
| Baggage Delay | $1,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Cash | $500 | $250 | $500 |
4. Personal Accident, Liability and Other
| Benefit | SCTI International Comprehensive | Allianz Comprehensive | CoverMore Comprehensive+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Liability | $1,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Accidental Death | $50,000 | $25,000 | $30,000 (collective limit with disability & loss of income up to $45,000) |
| Permanent Disability | $50,000 | $25,000 | $30,000 (collective limit) |
| Loss of Income | $6,500 ($500/week) | Not specified as standalone | $45,000 (collective limit) |
| Rental Vehicle Excess | $10,000 | $6,000 | $10,000 (Comp+ includes USA/Canada Rental Vehicle Comprehensive Cover up to $200,000) |
| Legal Expenses | Not specified as standalone | Not specified as standalone | $10,000 |
5. Pregnancy
| Benefit | SCTI International Comprehensive | Allianz Comprehensive | CoverMore Comprehensive+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gestational Limit | 24 weeks (23 weeks, 6 days) | 24 weeks | 24 weeks (23 weeks, 6 days) |
| Childbirth Covered | Yes — premature birth before 24 weeks | No — only if caused by an accident | No |
| Neonatal Care Covered | Yes — until return to NZ | No | No |
| IVF Pregnancies | Automatically covered | Assessment required | Assessment required |
| Cancellation Extension for Pregnancy | Not specified | Not specified | Up to 32 weeks (single) / 28 weeks (multiple) — cancellation only |
6. Cruise Cover (Add-On)
| Benefit | SCTI International Comprehensive | Allianz Cruise Pack | CoverMore Cruise Cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin Confinement | No dedicated benefit | $50/day after 48-hour wait, up to $500 | $100/day from day 1, up to $1,500 |
| Missed Port (Embarkation) | No dedicated benefit | Not specified as standalone | $1,000 |
| Missed Shore Excursions | No dedicated benefit | $1,000 (if cabin-confined) | $1,000 |
| Onboard Medical | Unlimited (standard medical) | $20 million | Unlimited |
| Ship to Shore Evacuation | Unlimited (standard medical) | $20 million | Unlimited |
| Formal Wear Cover | Not offered | $1,000 (unique to Allianz) | Not offered |
| River Cruise — Add-on Required? | No | No | No |
7. Adventure Sports and Skiing (Add-On)
| Benefit | SCTI International Comprehensive | Allianz Comprehensive | CoverMore Comprehensive+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skiing / Snowboarding | Optional add-on (existing policy limits apply) | Snow Pack: own equipment $2,000, hire $2,000, piste closure $1,000 ($500 additional excess, under 75 only) | Snow Sports / Snow Sports+ (paid add-on) |
| Adventure Activities | Many included as standard; moped/motorbike is optional add-on | Adventure Pack: motorcycles, abseiling, rock climbing, grade IV-V rapids ($500 additional excess, under 75 only) | Adventure / Adventure+ tiers for additional activities |
| Motorcycles / Mopeds | Optional add-on | Included in Adventure Pack (licence conditions apply) | ≤250cc auto-included; Motorcycle/Moped Riding+ for larger engines |
8. Annual Multi-Trip
| Benefit | SCTI International Comprehensive | Allianz Comprehensive | CoverMore Comprehensive+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Days Per Trip | 90 days | 45 days (choose from 15/30/45) | Up to 60 days (select duration) |
| Worldwide Option | Yes | Yes | No — must specify countries/regions |
9. Policy Structure
| Feature | SCTI International Comprehensive | Allianz Comprehensive | CoverMore Comprehensive+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Excess | Chooseable ($0 upwards) | $200 base (can be varied) | Chooseable |
| Cooling-Off Period | 14 days | 10 business days | 21 days |
| Not-for-Profit | Yes (Southern Cross Health Society) | No | No |
| NZ-Based Claims Team | Yes — Auckland | Yes — Allianz Partners, Takapuna, Auckland | Yes — CoverMore, Auckland |
| Financial Strength Rating | A (Strong) — S&P | AA- (Very Strong) — S&P (Zurich/MSI) | AA- (Very Strong) — S&P (Zurich) |
10. Coverage for Unexpected Events
| Event Type | SCTI | Allianz | CoverMore |
|---|---|---|---|
| War / Conflict | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| Terrorism — Medical | $100,000 sub-limit | Not covered | Not covered |
| Terrorism — Cancellation | Not covered | Not covered | 75% up to $10,000 (conditions apply) |
| Civil Unrest (on trip) | Covered (riot/civil commotion carve-out) | Covered (transport disruption) | Covered (if no military takeover) |
| Natural Disaster (on trip) | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Natural Disaster (cancellation) | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Airline Strike (on trip) | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Airline Strike (cancellation) | Covered (if unforeseeable) | Limited | Not covered (airline action) |
| Airline Insolvency | Not covered | Not covered | Covered (Section 3) |
| Pandemic — Medical | Covered | Covered | Covered (Section 23) |
| Pandemic — Cancellation | Limited | Covered (Benefit 2.1) | Limited |
| MFAT Do Not Travel | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
|
Why MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh Personally Uses Southern Cross Travel Insurance - And Why It's Worth Your Attention
I've used Southern Cross Travel Insurance for every overseas trip I've taken in recent years - from the USA and Switzerland to Thailand, Spain, Japan and plenty of destinations in between. I don't use it because MoneyHub has a relationship with them. I use it because when I compared every major insurer line by line, SCTI's coverage was consistently stronger where it matters most. After reviewing the full policy wordings of all three underwriters for this guide, three things reinforced why I stay with SCTI: 1. Unlimited medical cover as standard - with no exceptions by age or destination
2. Benefits no other insurer matches - pregnancy, neonatal care, and terrorism medical cover
3. Pricing that consistently beats or matches the competition
My view: I've never had a reason to switch insurers, and I've looked - including reading every page of the Allianz and CoverMore policy wordings for this guide. SCTI is popular with MoneyHub readers who routinely share their positive experiences. I suggest getting an SCTI quote. |
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder |
The Four Most Significant Differences Between Travel Insurers
The details are in the policy documents, and four key differences stand out:
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance is the only insurer covering pregnancy childbirth and neonatal care: If you give birth prematurely overseas before 24 weeks, SCTI covers the delivery and the baby’s ongoing neonatal care until you both return to New Zealand. Allianz only covers childbirth resulting from an accident. CoverMore doesn’t cover childbirth at all. When a single premature birth claim in the USA reached $4 million, it was SCTI that paid it. Our guide to pregnancy travel insurance explains more.
- CoverMore offers the strongest cruise-specific benefits: Cabin confinement cover of $100 per day from day one (up to $1,500) with no waiting period, missed port cover of $1,000, and missed shore excursion cover of $1,000 - all in addition to unlimited onboard medical. Allianz’s Cruise Pack has a 48-hour waiting period, lower daily rate ($50), and $500 cap. Southern Cross Travel Insurance has no dedicated cruise-specific extras. Our guide to travel insurance for cruises explains more.
- Allianz Travel Insurance's medical cover is $20 million - not unlimited: SCTI and CoverMore both provide unlimited overseas medical cover. For most destinations, $20 million is adequate. For catastrophic USA medical costs, unlimited cover provides certainty.
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance's terrorism medical sub-limit is unique in New Zealand: SCTI provides up to $100,000 of medical cover specifically for terrorism-related injuries. No other New Zealand insurer offers this. CoverMore offers a separate (and also unique) terrorism cancellation extension.
Insurer Summary by Need and Risk - Who Offers the Best Coverage and Benefits
Our table below explains what you need to know:
| Need | Our Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Travel Insurance | SCTI | Unlimited medical, pregnancy/neonatal cover, terrorism medical, competitive pricing, not-for-profit |
| Cruise Travel | CoverMore | $100/day cabin confinement (no wait), missed port $1,000, missed shore excursions $1,000, unlimited onboard medical |
| Pregnancy | SCTI | Only NZ insurer covering childbirth and neonatal care; IVF auto-covered |
| Pre-Existing Conditions | SCTI (start here) | Unlimited medical, competitive post-loading pricing, NZ-based claims team. Allianz strong alternative (cancellation up to $200,000) |
| Over 70s | SCTI | Cheapest for 70 and 80-year-old couples across all destinations; no coverage reductions with age |
| Unexpected Events | SCTI | $100,000 terrorism medical (unique), riot carve-out, clear unexpected event framework |
| Adventure Sports / Skiing | Allianz | Snow Pack and Adventure Pack with dedicated equipment, hire, piste closure and bad weather cover |
| Annual Multi-Trip | SCTI | 90 days per trip (vs 60 CoverMore, 45 Allianz), worldwide option, pricing less than half of CoverMore |
Our View - Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) Delivers the Strongest Overall Travel Insurance Available in New Zealand
CoverMore leads for cruise-specific cover, and Allianz is the strongest option for skiing, adventure sports and maximum cancellation limits. But for the broadest, most consistently strong coverage across all trip types and traveller profiles, SCTI is where we suggest you start.
Our View: Get your SCTI quote first. Then compare it with CoverMore (especially for cruises) and Allianz (especially for skiing). All three quote in under 60 seconds.
- After comparing all three underwriters line by line - reading and analysing 100+ pages of policy wording, testing quotes across multiple destinations and age groups, and tracking real-world claims responses - we believe Southern Cross Travel Insurance is the clear starting point for most New Zealand travellers.
- SCTI offers unlimited medical cover, the only pregnancy, childbirth and neonatal cover in the market, a unique $100,000 terrorism medical sub-limit, $25,000 luggage protection (2.5x the industry standard), and the longest annual multi-trip duration at 90 days per trip.
- As part of a not-for-profit organisation serving New Zealanders since 1961, SCTI reinvests surplus into better coverage rather than shareholder profits, which shows in their generous benefits, competitive pricing and clearly worded policies.
CoverMore leads for cruise-specific cover, and Allianz is the strongest option for skiing, adventure sports and maximum cancellation limits. But for the broadest, most consistently strong coverage across all trip types and traveller profiles, SCTI is where we suggest you start.
Our View: Get your SCTI quote first. Then compare it with CoverMore (especially for cruises) and Allianz (especially for skiing). All three quote in under 60 seconds.
The Best Travel Insurer by Destination
We look at the five most popular destinations for which New Zealanders take out travel insurance and explain the specific risk profile for each.
1) Australia
2) Japan
3) USA
4) Rarotonga (Cook Islands)
5) United Kingdom
1) Australia
- Risk profile: Short-haul, low medical cost. The New Zealand-Australia reciprocal healthcare agreement covers basic public emergency treatment on land - but not private care, cruise ships, medications or evacuation. Common claims involve cancellation, luggage, minor medical and adventure activities.
- Our pick: Southern Cross Travel Insurance edges it on price for most profiles. The low-cost nature of Australian trips means policy differences matter less in dollar terms. Allianz’s Adventure Pack is worth considering for motorcycling or rock climbing. CoverMore’s $30,000 baggage limit may matter for expensive equipment.
- Full pricing and analysis: Our Australia Travel Insurance guide compares 12+ insurers.
2) Japan
- Risk profile: Moderate medical costs, but the language barrier is significant. Japan is seismically active (earthquakes, typhoons), and skiing (Niseko, Hakuba) is a major draw for New Zealand travellers in winter.
- Our pick: Southern Cross Travel Insurance for general travel; Allianz if skiing is a priority. SCTI’s unlimited medical cover and unexpected event framework for natural disasters make it strong for Japan. Allianz’s Snow Pack provides dedicated equipment cover ($2,000 own, $2,000 hire, $1,000 piste closure) that neither competitor matches.
- Full pricing and analysis: Our Japan Travel Insurance guide compares pricing and coverage.
3) USA
- Risk profile: The highest medical cost destination in the world for New Zealand travellers. A broken leg can cost $50,000+, a heart attack $200,000+, and a premature birth $4 million. Unlimited medical cover is non-negotiable. The terrorism risk makes SCTI’s $100,000 terrorism medical sub-limit relevant.
- Our pick: Southern Cross Travel Insurance. Unlimited medical cover, the terrorism medical sub-limit, and consistently competitive pricing - particularly for older travellers.
- Full pricing and analysis: Our USA Travel Insurance guide compares pricing and coverage.
4) Rarotonga (Cook Islands)
- Risk profile: Limited medical facilities - serious cases require evacuation to New Zealand at tens of thousands of dollars. Unlimited medical cover is essential, and a common trip profile is a resort holiday for couples and families.
- Our pick: Southern Cross Travel Insurance. Unlimited medical cover, strong evacuation framework, competitive pricing. The combination of limited on-island facilities and high evacuation costs makes the quality of coverage more important than saving $20 on the premium.
- Full pricing and analysis: Our Rarotonga Travel Insurance guide compares pricing and coverage.
5) United Kingdom
- Risk profile: Long-haul, 20+ day trips are common. Flights cost $2,000–$4,000 per person, making cancellation cover critical. New Zealand-to-UK flights often route through Middle East hubs - the March 2026 Iran conflict demonstrated transit disruption risks. Annual multi-trip policies are particularly relevant for frequent UK travellers.
- Our pick: Southern Cross Travel Insurance for one-off and frequent UK travellers (annual multi-trip, 90-day cap); SCTI’s annual policy allows 90 days per trip vs CoverMore’s 60 and Allianz Travel Insurance’s 45 - covering even extended family visits.
- Full pricing and analysis: Our UK Travel Insurance guide compares pricing and coverage.
The Best Travel Insurer by Need
We look at popular needs and risks that make travel insurance even more important for New Zealanders heading overseas.
1) Best for Cruise Travel
2) Best for Pregnancy Cover
3) Best for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
4) Best for Over 70s
5) Best for Unexpected Events
6) Best for Adventure Sports and Skiing
7) Best for Annual Multi-Trip
Winner: Southern Cross Travel Insurance: 90 days per trip (vs CoverMore 60, Allianz Travel Insurance 45), worldwide option included, pricing less than half of CoverMore’s. 5% discount for Southern Cross Health Society members.
1) Best for Cruise Travel
- Winner: CoverMore (cruise-specific benefits) and Southern Cross Travel Insurance (overall travel insurance on a cruise). CoverMore offers cabin confinement $100/day from day 1 (up to $1,500), missed port $1,000, missed shore excursions $1,000, unlimited onboard medical.
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance: Best overall policy, but no dedicated cruise extras. Allianz: lower limits and a 48-hour wait on cabin confinement, but unique formal wear cover.
2) Best for Pregnancy Cover
- Winner: Southern Cross Travel Insurance (no contest). The only major New Zealand insurer covering overseas childbirth and neonatal care for pre-term babies born before 24 weeks. Automatic cover for single, multiple and IVF pregnancies. CoverMore offers a useful 32-week cancellation extension but no childbirth or neonatal cover.
3) Best for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
- Winner: Southern Cross Travel Insurance (as a starting point) with Allianz as an alternative. Both offer online screening.
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance: unlimited medical cover, competitive post-loading pricing, New Zealand-based claims team.
- Allianz: cancellation up to $200,000 - valuable if your condition increases cancellation risk.
4) Best for Over 70s
- Winner: Southern Cross Travel Insurance: Consistently cheapest or near-cheapest for 70 and 80-year-old couples across all destinations, no coverage reductions with age, unlimited medical cover as standard.
5) Best for Unexpected Events
- Winner: Southern Cross Travel Insurance: $100,000 terrorism medical sub-limit (unique in New Zealand), riot/civil commotion carve-out for on-trip protection, and a clear unexpected event framework.
- CoverMore: Unique terrorism cancellation extension and airline insolvency cover.
- Please be aware that no insurer covers war-related claims.
6) Best for Adventure Sports and Skiing
- Winner: Allianz Travel Insurance offers 1) Snow Pack - which covers own equipment $2,000, hire $2,000, ski pack $1,000, piste closure $1,000, bad weather/avalanche $1,000 and 2) Adventure Pack - which covers motorcycles, rock climbing, and grade IV-V rapids.
- Be aware: $500 additional excess and an under-75 age restriction on both packs.
7) Best for Annual Multi-Trip
Winner: Southern Cross Travel Insurance: 90 days per trip (vs CoverMore 60, Allianz Travel Insurance 45), worldwide option included, pricing less than half of CoverMore’s. 5% discount for Southern Cross Health Society members.
Our View - The Insurer We Suggest Starting With
1) Southern Cross Travel Insurance is our overall winner.
2) Allianz Travel Insurance is the strongest alternative - and the better choice in specific circumstances.
3) CoverMore leads for cruise travel and has unique benefits no one else offers.
Know This: No single insurer is best for everything. The right choice depends on your destination, health, trip type, age, and budget. Always get quotes from all three - it takes 60 seconds each, and the differences can be significant.
1) Southern Cross Travel Insurance is our overall winner.
- Unlimited medical cover, the only pregnancy, childbirth and neonatal cover in the market, a unique $100,000 terrorism medical sub-limit, competitive pricing across every age group and destination we tested, and the security of dealing with a not-for-profit insurer that reinvests surplus into coverage rather than shareholder returns.
2) Allianz Travel Insurance is the strongest alternative - and the better choice in specific circumstances.
- If you’re booking an expensive trip where maximum cancellation cover is the priority (up to $200,000), if you’re skiing and want dedicated Snow Pack benefits, or if you value the $5 million personal liability limit, it's important to get an Allianz quote.
3) CoverMore leads for cruise travel and has unique benefits no one else offers.
- These benefits include airline insolvency cover, the strongest cruise cabin confinement benefit, terrorism cancellation extensions, the broadest cancellation extension scenarios, the highest baggage limit ($30,000), and unique USA rental vehicle comprehensive cover.
Know This: No single insurer is best for everything. The right choice depends on your destination, health, trip type, age, and budget. Always get quotes from all three - it takes 60 seconds each, and the differences can be significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
The information below is general in nature - each insurer's policy differs in the specifics of what is covered and the process for claims. Always read the policy wording for each insurer before making a decision, and ask the insurer to explain anything you don't understand.
Which travel insurer is best in New Zealand?
For overall coverage, pricing and claims service, we suggest starting with Southern Cross Travel Insurance. However, the best insurer depends on your destination, trip type and personal circumstances. Allianz Travel Insurance leads for skiing and high-value cancellation cover, CoverMore leads for cruise-specific benefits. Get quotes from all three.
Are these the only travel insurers in New Zealand?
They’re the only three that sell directly and underwrite their own policies. HDI Global Specialty SE underwrites 1Cover and TINZ. Every other brand - AA, Air New Zealand, AMI, State, AMP, Tower, Mix & Match, Webjet - resells policies underwritten by one of these four companies. We compare all of these in our popular travel insurance guide.
Is it cheaper to buy direct or through a reseller?
In our price testing, buying directly from the underwriter is either the same price or cheaper than buying through a broker for equivalent cover. We have never found a reseller offering better pricing than its underwriter for the same level of cover.
Do all three travel insurers offer unlimited medical cover?
No - Southern Cross Travel Insurance and CoverMore provide unlimited overseas medical cover. Allianz Travel Insurance caps at $20 million per person. For most destinations, $20 million is sufficient. For the USA, unlimited cover provides additional certainty.
Which insurer is best for the USA?
Southern Cross Travel Insurance - unlimited medical cover, the unique terrorism medical sub-limit, and competitive pricing. Our USA-specific quote testing shows SCTI is significantly cheaper than CoverMore and Allianz Travel Insurance for most USA traveller profiles.
Which insurer is best for older travellers?
Southern Cross Travel Insurance - consistently cheapest for 70 and 80-year-old couples, no coverage reductions, unlimited medical cover. See our Over 70s Travel Insurance guide for full pricing.
Which insurer is best for cruises?
Based on our research:
More details: See our Cruise Travel Insurance guide
- CoverMore for cruise-specific benefits
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance for overall travel insurance quality on a cruise
More details: See our Cruise Travel Insurance guide
What if I need to claim - who do I deal with?
All three have New Zealand-based claims operations in Auckland. All provide 24/7 emergency assistance with toll-free numbers from major countries.
What happens if I have a complaint about my policy or claim?
All three insurers have a formal complaints process. If you have a complaint about your policy or a claim, you should first contact the insurer directly. If you're unsatisfied with their response, you can escalate your complaint to a higher authority like the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) in New Zealand.
Remember, when buying travel insurance, it's crucial to read the policy documents thoroughly and ask the insurer if you're unsure about any aspects of your cover.
Remember, when buying travel insurance, it's crucial to read the policy documents thoroughly and ask the insurer if you're unsure about any aspects of your cover.
Our View - Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) Delivers the Strongest Overall Travel Insurance Available in New Zealand
CoverMore leads for cruise-specific cover, and Allianz is the strongest option for skiing, adventure sports and maximum cancellation limits. But for the broadest, most consistently strong coverage across all trip types and traveller profiles, SCTI is where we suggest you start.
Our View: Get your SCTI quote first. Then compare it with CoverMore (especially for cruises) and Allianz (especially for skiing). All three quote in under 60 seconds.
- After comparing all three underwriters line by line - reading and analysing 100+ pages of policy wording, testing quotes across multiple destinations and age groups, and tracking real-world claims responses - we believe Southern Cross Travel Insurance is the clear starting point for most New Zealand travellers.
- SCTI offers unlimited medical cover, the only pregnancy, childbirth and neonatal cover in the market, a unique $100,000 terrorism medical sub-limit, $25,000 luggage protection (2.5x the industry standard), and the longest annual multi-trip duration at 90 days per trip.
- As part of a not-for-profit organisation serving New Zealanders since 1961, SCTI reinvests surplus into better coverage rather than shareholder profits, which shows in their generous benefits, competitive pricing and clearly worded policies.
CoverMore leads for cruise-specific cover, and Allianz is the strongest option for skiing, adventure sports and maximum cancellation limits. But for the broadest, most consistently strong coverage across all trip types and traveller profiles, SCTI is where we suggest you start.
Our View: Get your SCTI quote first. Then compare it with CoverMore (especially for cruises) and Allianz (especially for skiing). All three quote in under 60 seconds.
Reminder: Not sure if you need travel insurance, or have specific circumstances to consider? Our dedicated guides can help:
Our top pick: Southern Cross Travel Insurance consistently delivers the strongest coverage across our research - unlimited medical cover, $25,000 luggage protection and an unlimited cancellation option that no other major New Zealand insurer matches. Get a quote in 60 seconds and compare it with others.
Related guides:
Important: Too many New Zealanders take the risk and travel without it. We compare by country to help you make finding what you need easier:
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- Compare Travel Insurance - A helpful starting point
- Over 70s Travel Insurance – Comparing policies and pricing for older travellers, including who offers the best cover without excessive premiums
- Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Travel Insurance – What's covered, who to approach first, and how the medical assessment process works
- Travel Insurance for Unexpected Events – Understanding how policies protect you from cancellations, natural disasters, airline failures and other disruptions you can't predict (increasingly relevant given global events)
- Do I Need Travel Insurance? – A straightforward guide to help you decide if travel insurance is worth it for your trip
Our top pick: Southern Cross Travel Insurance consistently delivers the strongest coverage across our research - unlimited medical cover, $25,000 luggage protection and an unlimited cancellation option that no other major New Zealand insurer matches. Get a quote in 60 seconds and compare it with others.
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Important: Too many New Zealanders take the risk and travel without it. We compare by country to help you make finding what you need easier:
- Australia and the Pacific: Australia, Fiji and Rarotonga
- Asia: Bali, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam
- Americas & Africa: Canada, Peru, South Africa and USA
- Europe: France, Greece, Italy and the UK
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