International Comprehensive travel insurance 

Single‑trip cover for overseas travel 

Comprehensive travel insurance helps protect New Zealanders travelling overseas when unexpected events occur. 

Travel is about discovering new places and enjoying your holiday with confidence. While unexpected things can happen when you’re overseas, the right cover helps you travel knowing support is there if you need it. 

That’s why our International Comprehensive policy is designed to help protect New Zealanders against unexpected travel mishaps, so you can focus on making the most of your trip and return home safely. 

Why having medical cover overseas matters 

Getting sick or injured while you’re overseas can quickly turn an exciting trip into a stressful experience, especially when you’re dealing with unfamiliar healthcare systems. In many countries, medical treatment needs to be paid for upfront, and costs can vary widely depending on where you are and the level of care you need. 

Because New Zealand’s public healthcare system and ACC generally don’t apply overseas, you could be responsible for the full cost of treatment if something unexpected happens. 

That’s where International Comprehensive travel insurance can help. It includes cover for overseas medical care and medical evacuation, so you know support is there if you need it, giving you the confidence to relax and enjoy your journey. 

Medical and evacuation cover includes 

  • Medical expenses and hospital care 
  • Doctors’ visits and prescribed medication
  • Specialist treatment
  • Medical transport and evacuation
  • 24‑hour emergency assistance
  • Support from qualified medical advisers
  • Guarantees for medical expenses and help contacting family

Medical and evacuation cover is Unlimited under this policy, subject to the terms and conditions in the policy wording. 

Maximum Cover
medical
Medical and evacuation
Includes cover for medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment and medical transport costs. Plus 24-hour emergency assistance, support of qualified medical advisers, guarantees for medical expenses and contact with family.
Unlimited
Medical treatment
Unlimited
24-hour emergency assistance
Unlimited
Medical evacuation
Unlimited
Medical repatriation
Unlimited
Emergency dental treatment
For each person.
$2,000
Cash allowance while in hospital (after 3 consecutive days)
$100 for each day. For each person.
$3,000
Accompanying person
Unlimited
Funeral expenses or return of mortal remains
For each deceased person. No excess applies.
$50,000
Related to terrorism
For each person.
$100,000
cancelling your journey
Cancelling or changing your journey before you leave

Includes cover for cancellation fees and prepaid travel costs if your trip is cancelled or changed due to an illness, injury or natural disaster. Plus, cover for additional costs to help you attend a special event including a wedding or sporting event.

$2,500

Options to increase up to Unlimited

Cancelling your journey
For each person.

$2,500

Options to increase up to Unlimited

Changes before you leave
For each person.

$2,500

Options to increase up to Unlimited

Existing conditions of a relevant person
For each person.
$2,500
Delayed journey to a special event
For each person.
$2,500
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Changes to your journey once you have left

Includes cover for transport, accommodation, meals, activities and tour costs if you cannot reach your next destination on time, or if you need to cut your trip short and return to New Zealand.

$50,000

Changes once you have left
For each person.
$50,000
Cutting your journey short
For each person.
$50,000
Travel interruption
For each person.

$30,000

Existing conditions of a relevant person
For each person.
$2,500
Delayed journey to a special event
For each person.
$2,500
Pet services

Up to $100 a day.

$1,000
Childcare expenses

Up to $100 a day.

$1,000
baggage
Baggage and personal items

Cover for lost, stolen or damaged items and help to purchase essential clothing and toiletries, if your bags are delayed, misdirected or misplaced for 12 hours or more.

$25,000
Unspecified jewellery and watches
Up to $1,500 for each item, for each person. Depreciation applies.
$2,500
Unspecified mobile phones, laptops, personal computers, tablets, cameras
Up to $3,000 for each item, for each person. Depreciation applies.
$10,000
Other unspecified items
Up to $1,500 for each item, for each person. Depreciation applies.
$25,000
Optional: Specified items
Up to $10,000 for each item, for each person.
$15,000
Baggage delay
For each person.
$1,000
Essential medication
For each person
$500
Lost, stolen or damaged bank cards, travel documents and passports
For each person.
$1,000
Lost or stolen cash
For each person.
$500
personal accident
Personal accident (16-80 years)

Includes financial support for you or your loved ones if you’re injured whilst on your journey.

$50,000
Loss of income
For each injured person. No excess applies
$6,500
Total permanent disablement
For each injured person. No excess applies
$50,000
Loss of life
For each deceased person. No excess applies
$50,000
personal liability
Personal liability

Cover towards legal liability for damages, compensation and legal expenses.
For each paying person. No excess applies.

$1,000,000
rentalvehicle
Rental vehicle excess

Payment towards any excess you must pay if the rental vehicle you hired is stolen or damaged.
For each paying person. No excess applies.

$10,000
moped
Optional: Moped and motorbike cover
As per relevant section of the policy
skier
Optional: Skiing and snowboarding cover
As per relevant section of the policy
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Optional: Cruise cover
As per relevant section of the policy

This table is a summary of the International Comprehensive policy benefits and shows the maximum cover under each benefit for each paying person (unless cover otherwise stated). The excess you select applies per unexpected event (unless otherwise stated).

 

What else is included with International Comprehensive cover 

International Comprehensive travel insurance is designed to help protect you against a wide range of unexpected travel events that can impact your trip. 

Cancelling or changing your journey before you leave 

Cover for cancellation fees and prepaid travel costs if your trip is cancelled or changed due to unexpected illness, injury, or natural disaster, subject to the event not being known at the time you booked your travel or purchased your policy. 

This may also include cover for important pre‑booked travel plans and events, subject to the policy terms, such as weddings, funerals, conferences, concerts, shows, festivals, or sporting events.

Options are available to increase cancellation cover, depending on the level of protection you need. 

Changes to your journey once you’ve left New Zealand 

If you’re already overseas and an unexpected event disrupts your plans, cover may be available for certain additional transport, accommodation, meals or activity costs, or if you need to cut your trip short and return to New Zealand. This cover is subject to policy limits, terms and conditions. 

Baggage and personal items 

International Comprehensive cover can help if your baggage or personal items are lost, stolen or damaged, or if your bags are delayed, misdirected or misplaced for 12 hours or more. Cover can also help you purchase essential clothing and toiletries if your luggage doesn’t arrive on time. 

Specific item limits, depreciation and sub‑limits apply as outlined in the policy wording. 

Rental vehicle excess and personal liability 

If you hire a rental vehicle while travelling overseas, International Comprehensive cover includes cover towards rental vehicle excess in certain situations. Personal liability cover is also included, helping protect you if you’re found legally liable for damage or injury to others while travelling. 

Optional cover available 

Depending on how and where you’re travelling, you may choose to add optional cover to your policy, including: 

  • Moped and motorbike cover
  • Skiing and snowboarding cover
  • Cruise cover 

Optional benefits apply as described in the relevant sections of the policy wording. 

Choosing your excess 

The excess you select applies per unexpected event, unless stated otherwise in the policy. 

Choosing a higher excess may reduce the cost of your premium, while choosing a lower excess means less to pay if you need to make a claim. You can select the excess option that best suits your travel plans and budget when you purchase your policy. The default excess is $200, but you have the option of choosing $0, $100 or $200.  

Trusted by Kiwi travellers 

Southern Cross Travel Insurance has been supporting travellers for over 40 years and is part of the wider Southern Cross group, one of New Zealand’s most trusted brands. 

We’ve helped over 6 million travellers* worldwide manage the unexpected while travelling, living and working overseas. That experience helps us better support New Zealanders when it matters most.

Important information 

This page provides a summary of the International Comprehensive policy. As with all insurance policies, eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, exclusions, excesses and sub‑limits apply. 

We recommend reading the International Comprehensive policy wording before purchasing to ensure this policy is right for you. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does ACC cover me if I’m injured overseas? 

ACC generally does not cover injuries that occur overseas. If you’re injured while travelling outside New Zealand, medical treatment costs are usually your responsibility. International Comprehensive travel insurance includes cover for overseas medical treatment and evacuation, subject to the policy wording.

 

What happens if I need medical treatment while travelling overseas?

If you become sick or injured while overseas, International Comprehensive cover includes medical treatment, hospital care, specialist treatment and medical transport, along with access to 24‑hour emergency assistance. Cover is subject to the policy wording and any applicable conditions or exclusions.

 

When does cancellation cover start?

Cancellation cover under the International Comprehensive policy starts from the date your policy is issued. This means you may be covered for certain unexpected events that occur after you purchase your policy and before you leave New Zealand, subject to the policy terms and conditions.

 

How does the excess work on International Comprehensive travel insurance?

The excess you choose applies per unexpected event for most of the benefits. Please refer to the policy wording for more details. You can select an excess level that suits your needs, which may affect the cost of your premium.

 

Am I covered if I need to return to New Zealand early?

If you need to cut your trip short and return to New Zealand due to an unexpected event covered under the policy, International Comprehensive travel insurance may cover certain transport, accommodation and related costs, subject to policy limits and conditions.

 

Does this policy cover multiple destinations on one trip?

Yes. International Comprehensive travel insurance can cover a single return journey overseas to one or more destinations, provided they are listed when you purchase your policy and your travel complies with policy terms. 

What you need to know

This page includes some information about our products but, as with all insurance policies, eligibility criteria, terms and conditions apply. For our terms and conditions (including information about exclusions, excesses and sub limits) we recommend you read the relevant policy documents to ensure our travel insurance products are right for you.

You can find the relevant documents for all our policies here: International Comprehensive, Annual Multi-trip, International Medical Only, Domestic, Working Overseas, Visiting New Zealand, International Student