Side-by-side · Policy wordings checked on 30 September 2026
1Cover vs Southern Cross Travel Insurance
This page sets 1Cover's New Zealand policy wording beside the Southern Cross Travel Insurance International Comprehensive wording, term by term, with the page to read in each document.
We do not pick a winner or say which suits you — that depends on your trip, travellers, health and activities. Nothing here is a recommendation.
The two wordings, term by term
1Cover's current wording is effective from 4 March 2026; Southern Cross's applies to policies issued on or after 12 July 2025. Limits, sub-limits, conditions and exclusions apply to every benefit.Source: 1cover.co.nz policy details
| Term | 1Cover | Southern Cross Travel Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Who arranges and insures | 1Cover NZ Ltd (FSP472306) arranges the insurance as an Appointed Representative of Coffre-Fort Pty Ltd, the underwriting agent. The insurer is HDI Global Specialty SE – New Zealand (FSP 774050).Source: 1Cover wording (4 Mar 2026), PDF p.8–9 | Southern Cross Benefits Limited, trading as Southern Cross Travel Insurance, is the insurer.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.3 |
| Plans | Six plans: Comprehensive, Overseas Frequent Traveller, Medical Only, Domestic, Domestic Frequent Traveller and Already Overseas.Source: 1Cover wording (4 Mar 2026), PDF p.13–14 | Separate policies: International Comprehensive, Annual Multi-trip, International Medical Only, Domestic, Working Overseas, International Student and Visiting New Zealand.Source: scti.co.nz/our-policies |
| Overseas medical | Unlimited on Comprehensive, Overseas Frequent Traveller, Medical Only and Already Overseas.Source: 1Cover wording (4 Mar 2026), PDF p.23 | Medical and evacuation: unlimited.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.9 |
| Cancellation | You select a cancellation amount; it is provided per policy, not per traveller.Source: 1Cover wording (4 Mar 2026), PDF p.24, 37 | $2,500 for each person, which you can choose to increase up to an unlimited amount.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.9, 12 |
| Excess | You can select the excess amount when you apply; it is shown on your certificate of insurance. Some winter-sports claims carry a double excess that cannot be removed.Source: 1Cover wording (4 Mar 2026), PDF p.19 | You can choose whether to have an excess; the premium may be higher with no excess.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.14 |
| Rental vehicle excess | Not automatic on Comprehensive, Overseas Frequent Traveller or Already Overseas — you can add $5,000 or $10,000 for an additional premium. Domestic plans include $5,000, which can be increased to $10,000.Source: 1Cover wording (4 Mar 2026), PDF p.39 | $10,000 for each person, included.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.11 |
| Pre-existing medical conditions | You must tell 1Cover when you buy and complete a medical assessment; 1Cover may decline, limit or exclude cover, or offer cover for an additional premium. Otherwise excluded under the general exclusions.Source: 1Cover wording (4 Mar 2026), PDF p.42, 101 | No conditions are automatically covered. If you complete a medical assessment, cover may be offered.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.27 |
| Age | Comprehensive and Domestic are available to travellers of all ages; the other plans are for travellers aged 69 or under. Travellers aged 80 or over are covered for up to 90 days per journey.Source: 1Cover wording (4 Mar 2026), PDF p.13–14 | The eligibility section of the International Comprehensive wording sets no maximum age. Some benefits carry their own age bands.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.7, 11 |
| Skiing and snowboarding | Optional Winter Sports Pack; without it there is no cover for winter sports activities.Source: 1Cover wording (4 Mar 2026), PDF p.39–40 | Not automatically covered; you can add cover.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.13 |
| Motorcycles, mopeds and scooters | Included if you wear a helmet and hold a valid licence; the exclusions set licence conditions by engine size (over 125cc needs a motorcycle licence).Source: 1Cover wording (4 Mar 2026), PDF p.31, 101 | Not automatically covered; you can add cover.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.13 |
| Cruises | For a cruise of two nights or more you must select the Cruise Pack.Source: 1Cover wording (4 Mar 2026), PDF p.37 | Cruise costs are not automatically covered; you can add cover.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.14 |
How to compare the two for your trip
- Compare like with like: 1Cover's Comprehensive plan against Southern Cross International Comprehensive, or the frequent-traveller and annual products against each other.
- Quote both with the same travellers, dates, destination, excess and cancellation amount — note that 1Cover's cancellation amount is per policy and Southern Cross's is per person.
- Add the rental vehicle excess cover, cruise and winter-sports options you need before comparing prices; some are included in one wording and optional in the other.
- If anyone travelling has a medical condition, complete both medical assessments before deciding.
- Read the general exclusions in both documents.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the insurer behind 1Cover in New Zealand?
The 1Cover wording says 1Cover NZ Ltd (FSP472306) arranges the insurance as an Appointed Representative of Coffre-Fort Pty Ltd, which acts as underwriting agent, and that the insurer is HDI Global Specialty SE – New Zealand (FSP 774050).
Do 1Cover and Southern Cross both have unlimited overseas medical cover?
Both wordings show overseas medical as unlimited on the plans compared here — 1Cover on its Comprehensive, Overseas Frequent Traveller, Medical Only and Already Overseas plans, and Southern Cross on International Comprehensive. Conditions and exclusions apply in both.
Which one is cheaper?
We do not publish price comparisons. Premiums depend on the travellers, trip, plan, excess, cancellation amount and options you choose, so compare quotes for the same cover on the day you buy.
Sources
- 1Cover NZ Travel Insurance Combined Financial Services Statement and Policy Wording (effective 4 March 2026)
- 1Cover policy details, 1cover.co.nz
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance, International Comprehensive Single Trip policy document (effective from 12 July 2025)
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance policies, scti.co.nz
Checked on 30 September 2026. Insurers change their wordings; the document on the insurer's site at the time you buy is the one that applies. This page is general information, not financial advice.