Southern Cross Travel Insurance Review

I found this company very helpful with my questions. <br/>All insurance I needed for a cruise when insurance for Covid was a priority for travelling.<br/>I made a claim of a ring lost and it was handled expeditiously. I would have no problem in recommending SCTI for travel insurance.

I was hit by a car in Budapest a couple of years ago on the last day of my holiday. I suffered a broken femur, four broken ribs, and head injuries. I was hospitalised for two weeks before I could fly home. <br/>Albeit after a slow start, SCI came through for me and arranged for an English speaking nurse to fly into Hungary, extract me from the hospital and fly with me and my wife home Sydney in business class. After arrival in Sydney I was taken to the RNS hospital where I spent another two weeks before I was released. <br/>Needless to say, I always use Southern Cross Insurance when I go overseas.

This company is impossible to contact. Their website sold me 'junk' worldwide cover which I later found out excludes where I am travelling to. Trying to contact them to cancel and it is impossible. Don't reply to emails and phone line says 'unavailable'.<br/><br/>Seems like a scam company. Avoid!

Have used them in 2019 and 2022 and although have not had to make any claims, was delayed in 2022 due to airlines, and SCTI were very helpful extending my insurance period without having to start over as others I was travelling with had to. Their prices are a great deal cheaper than at least 3 of the other "most popular" insurers. I went with them on recommendation from friends who used them and had to claim and said they were terrific. Wouldnt insure with anyone else for my travel.

I had to change flights within Australia due to Emirates temporarily suspending operations at some major airports in Australia, for "operational reasons" as per Emirates announcement. My claim for the additional cost of changing the flights was rejected by labelling Emirates’ decision as COVID-related. Well then currently anything and everything is COVID-related. This was an unexpected event as Emirates continued to operate throughout 2020. <br/><br/>Please be mindful of this when buying a policy with SCTI. How convenient for a travel insurer nowadays to change policies and find excuses to reject claims. I would have expected a more sensible resolution of the matter.

I had purchased my insurance last year for a trip to South Korea in June. I rang up on March 6 to try and clarify how coronavirus impacts my travel insurance [I had originally asked this in late January but received no answer...]. I suggested to the call centre person that because coronavirus was an unexpected event I may be able to cancel my trip.<br/>I was advised that because the WHO had declared it a pandemic that I was not covered. SCTI took this decision as I was on the phone....I suggested that there was no actual information to indicate that on the WHO site<br/> No news organisations had reported this at this stage either...<br/>I was told that a link would be emailed to me that showed it being mentioned in a press conference - this did not happen.<br/>There was nothing on the SCTI website that said the WHO had declared it a pandemic.<br/>Appalling and questionable practices - will never use this company again.

If the WHO declare Corona Virus as a pandemic it will have no cover, even if I have had insurance in place for the past 6 months. Trip is later this month. Very poor - never use again. Hour wait for customer service

I had an accident in Cambodia of all places. Brocken leg and Ankle. They tried to even move me to a more expensive hospital. I should had listened to them. Got a botched repair done. S C T I tried there best and covered all bills. Great service. Still using them 3 years on from that incident , because I know they pay out.

Due to unexpected injury I had to cancel overseas holiday with only 3 weeks notice. I experienced excellent help, follow up and quick settlement. I had read all terms and conditions prior to purchase and provided all information, supporting documentation, doctors letters and so on as required. Any refunds due I had collected e.g. airline costs and hotel refunds where available. My family have used them several times. Based upon personal experience I certainly recommend them.

While we were on Holidays in India, My FIL (who was in India)passed away the day we had to travel, so we could not travel. The greedy travel agent was charging us $250 + Fare difference, The new tickets were costing us less. So we purchased new tickets to come back to Melbourne. SCTI approved our claim in less than a week's time.

The policy is excellent value. I have used SCTI for over 10 years and had excellent service. Great policies, great product, great value. Unfortunately this year when I really needed them they failed me. I made a claim for an ACL tear. They made a representation on the phone that surgery would be covered. Then whilst I was trying to get an answer from them they immediately went back on their promise, and told me I had 24 hours to get on a plane and be evacuated. This was despite the fact that this was not an emergency situation, I was on crutches, I could not pack in time or even locate my passport due to the injury. I also had a doctor's certificate to say that I could not fly for 6 weeks. They were extremely harrassing and stressful in a time that was already distressing and disturbing. Being injured overseas is extremely difficult. I even made complaints just simply requesting more time to sort out things and seek opinions about surgery and whether I could fly. SCTI were not flexible at all and simply said they would cut off my cover if I did not do what they wanted despite the fact that I was concerned about injuring myself further with preparing to leave so soon. I was not even given the option to manage my injury conservatively and continue my trip. I had expected better from SCTI and will never be using them again. I have received much better treatment, service and policies from other travel insurance companies.

These guys paid for our accomodation in Sihanoukville when our flight delayed 4 hours meaning we missed the last ferry over to Koh Rong. I had insured the particular flight ( as well as comprehensive SCTI)and they chose not to cough up.. Within 2 weeks of making a claim money in bank. Thanks SCTI.