Side-by-side · Policy wordings checked on 30 September 2026
Southern Cross vs Tower Travel Insurance
This page sets the Southern Cross Travel Insurance International Comprehensive wording beside Tower's international travel 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
Southern Cross cells use the International Comprehensive Single Trip wording unless marked otherwise. Southern Cross Benefits Limited's FSP number (FSP164764) is printed in its endorsement document.Source: SCTI endorsement (1 Jul 2026), p.1
| Term | Southern Cross Travel Insurance | Tower |
|---|---|---|
| Insurer | Southern Cross Benefits Limited, trading as Southern Cross Travel Insurance, is the insurer.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.3 | Issued and managed by AWP Services New Zealand Limited trading as Allianz Partners; underwritten by Tower Limited.Source: Tower wording (6 Oct 2025), p.3 |
| How cover is structured | Separate policies rather than plan tiers: International Comprehensive, Annual Multi-trip, International Medical Only, Domestic, Working Overseas, International Student and Visiting New Zealand.Source: scti.co.nz/our-policies | Comprehensive and Essentials plans; Essentials has restricted benefits and lower limits. Frequent flyer plans cover each journey for up to 60 days.Source: Tower wording (6 Oct 2025), p.3 |
| Overseas medical | Medical and evacuation: unlimited.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.9 | Comprehensive unlimited (no capped dollar sum insured; costs must be reasonable); Essentials $250,000.Source: Tower wording (6 Oct 2025), p.6 |
| Cancellation | $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 | Cancellation of a journey paid in full: Comprehensive unlimited; Essentials $5,000.Source: Tower wording (6 Oct 2025), p.6 |
| Excess | 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 | Excess as stated on your Certificate of Insurance; none if you paid the additional premium for a No Excess policy.Source: Tower wording (6 Oct 2025), p.3 |
| Rental vehicle excess | $10,000 for each person.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.11 | Comprehensive $6,000; Essentials $1,000.Source: Tower wording (6 Oct 2025), p.6 |
| Pre-existing medical conditions | No conditions are automatically covered. If you complete a medical assessment, cover may be offered. The definition looks back three years before the insurance starts.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.27 | No cover on Essentials. Limited cover on Comprehensive: some stable, well-controlled conditions are automatically covered if they meet the criteria; cover for others may be available for an additional premium after a medical assessment.Source: Tower wording (6 Oct 2025), p.8 |
| Skiing and snowboarding | Not automatically covered; you can add cover.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.13 | Skiing and snowboarding outside ski resort boundaries are excluded.Source: Tower wording (6 Oct 2025), p.9 |
| Motorcycles and mopeds | Not automatically covered; you can add cover.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.13 | Excluded over 200cc, or without a helmet or a valid driver’s licence.Source: Tower wording (6 Oct 2025), p.9 |
| Cruises | Cruise costs are not automatically covered; you can add cover.Source: SCTI Single Trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.14 | Tower’s website says cruises are automatically covered under its international plans.Source: tower.co.nz international travel |
| Annual multi-trip | Separate Annual Multi-trip policy; you choose a maximum trip duration of 30, 60 or 90 days.Source: SCTI Annual Multi-trip wording (12 Jul 2025), p.16 | Frequent flyer plan: each journey covered for up to 60 days.Source: Tower wording (6 Oct 2025), p.3 |
How to compare the two for your trip
- Decide which Tower plan you are comparing. Several Tower limits differ between Comprehensive and Essentials, while Southern Cross sells separate policies rather than tiers.
- Quote both with the same travellers, dates, destination, excess and cancellation amount.
- If anyone travelling has a medical condition, check how each wording treats it and complete any medical assessment before you compare prices.
- List your activities — skiing, motorcycles or scooters, cruising — and check each wording's exclusions and add-ons for them.
- Read the general exclusions in both documents.
Frequently asked questions
Who insures Southern Cross Travel Insurance and Tower travel insurance?
Southern Cross Benefits Limited, trading as Southern Cross Travel Insurance, is the insurer of its policies. Tower’s international travel policy is issued and managed by AWP Services New Zealand Limited trading as Allianz Partners and underwritten by Tower Limited.
Do both cover pre-existing medical conditions?
They handle them differently. Southern Cross does not automatically cover any pre-existing conditions but may offer cover after a medical assessment. Tower gives no cover on Essentials and limited cover on Comprehensive, including automatic cover for some stable conditions that meet its criteria.
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
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance, International Comprehensive Single Trip policy document (effective from 12 July 2025)
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance, International Comprehensive Annual Multi-trip policy document (effective from 12 July 2025)
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance, TravelCare Delay Assist endorsement (effective from 1 July 2026)
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance policies, scti.co.nz
- Tower International Travel Insurance policy wording (effective 6 October 2025, ref AZ..TW.INT.6.1025)
- Tower international travel insurance, tower.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.