How does Southern Cross Travel Insurance cover COVID-19?
Southern Cross Travel Insurance is one of only a few insurers we've found that offer some cover for COVID-related claims. 3 key benefits are as follows:
Medical expenses if you are diagnosed while on your journey (overseas policies only).
Pre-trip cancellation and amendment costs to change your travel arrangements if you or a relevant person are diagnosed prior to your travel.
On-trip 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. A major exclusion to be aware of is that you must be fully vaccinated to be covered for COVID-19 expenses.
Other 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.
Costs related to any pause to quarantine-free travel.
In total, Southern Cross offers 5 travel insurance policies. These are: Domestic, International Medical Only, International Comprehensive (Single Trip),International Comprehensive (Annual Multi-trip) and Working overseas. Here are some of the main insured events a policy can cover you for:
Domestic
International Medical Only
International Comprehensive Single Trip
International Comprehensive Annual Multi-trip
Working Overseas
The insurance is issued by Southern Cross Benefits Limited, trading as Southern Cross Travel Insurance.
The cooling-off period is 14 days which means you can change your policy or cancel within this period, and Southern Cross will refund your premium in full. The excess is the amount you usually need to pay when you make a claim, but with Southern Cross, you can choose to remove your excess for a higher premium.
Here's a breakdown of Southern Cross Travel Insurance features
Here are some of the main policy benefits to help you find out if Southern Cross Travel Insurance can provide the right cover for you.
Baggage and personal items
Cancelling or changing your journey before you leave
Cash, bank cards, travel documents and passports
Changes to your journey once you have left
Delayed journey to a special event
Emergency dental treatment
Medical and evacuation
Personal accident
Personal liability
Rental vehicle excess
Optional add-on
For more flexibility, Southern Cross Travel Insurance gives you the option to add extra cover to your policy. This can be done after you select your level of cover.
Taking any valuables? If the value of any items you're taking exceeds the limits of your policy, you can opt for specified items cover.
Going skiing or snowboarding? 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.
Taking a cruise? If you're taking a cruise, select additional cover to protect yourself. You'll need to make sure you've included all the destinations your cruise is visiting on your policy.
Riding a moped or motorbike? Get additional cover to protect yourself and your bike in case the unexpected happens. SCTI will only cover incidents involving bikes under 200cc.
Exclusions
Like all insurers, there are a few situations you won't be covered for under your travel insurance policy. Southern Cross Travel Insurance will not generally provide any cover in the following situations:
Other exclusions which could apply to a COVID-19 claim include:
Medical evacuation because of COVID-19
Travel to a destination that Smartraveller has rated a "Level 3" or "Level 4" due to COVID-19
Costs related to lockdowns or government restrictions owing to COVID-19
Make sure you read Southern Cross Travel Insurance's PDS for a full list of situations that won't be covered.
How to make a Southern Cross Travel Insurance claim
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.
Head to https://www.scti.com.au/claims/make-a-claim
Enter your policy number, email, full name and date of birth to log in
Complete your claim details by answering all sections
Upload any supporting documents relevant to your claim
Submit, then your claim should be processed within 10 business days
Here's the bottom line about Southern Cross Travel Insurance
Southern Cross offers 4 straightforward policies with enough customisation and flexibility to suit most travellers. You'll find generous limits for theft or damage to your belongings, dependent children up to the age of 21 covered for free and the ability to extend your cover if you decide to stay overseas longer. All features that you don't find every day with other insurers.
Where Southern Cross Travel Insurance falls short is with certain exclusions in its policies. There is no cover for cruises that stay in Australian waters or pregnancy after 24 weeks. While Southern Cross does have COVID-19 cover, it comes with more restrictions than other insurers, including the need to be fully vaccinated.
The age limit for Southern Cross Travel Insurance's policy is 118.
SCTI's PDS does not list automatically included pre-existing conditions. It's best to declare everything at the time of policy purchase and fill out a medical assessment, so SCTI is aware of your medical conditions.
If your condition isn't automatically included, SCTI can use the medical assessment to consider your cover and any applicable premium costs.
Yes, Southern Cross Travel Insurance covers kids for free but they must be "dependent children". This means they need to be under 21 years old at the start date of your policy. Children include your direct kids, can be stepchildren, foster children and even grandchildren.
Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio
Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 699 Finder guides across topics including:
You can think click on the policy that is the most suitable and follow the links to purchase.
Hope this helps!
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.
Finder
JoshuaJuly 24, 2019Finder
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.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
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
Finder
RichardSeptember 2, 2016Finder
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
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?
Finder
RichardJuly 29, 2016Finder
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
BruceJune 14, 2016
What travel policies cover riding motorcycles over 250cc when correctly licenced , and define a motor vehicle includes a motorcycle
Finder
RichardJune 14, 2016Finder
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
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Would like to know how much for a cover from 28 March 2023 to 31 March 2023 for a cruise from brisbane to whitsuncays and return.
im 75 and have mild asthma.
Hi Gaye,
To compare your options for travel insurance, pop your dates and travel details into this form:
https://www.finder.com.au/travel-insurance
You can think click on the policy that is the most suitable and follow the links to purchase.
Hope this helps!
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.
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
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 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