Travel Insurance, AA Travel vs Southern Cross

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hotsupes

161 posts

Master Geek

#299293 26-Aug-2022 16:17

I'm torn between Southern Cross, who I normally go with for Travel and AA Travel Insurance.

Southern Cross Travel have decided they will provide little to no-cover for Covid-19 related expenses, whereas AA Travel still offer coverage for any accommodation expenses/quarantine expenses you might face from foreign governments (granted it's less of a concern these days).

Has anyone here had experience with AA Travel Insurance in regards to claims etc? I'd love to find some feedback about them but it's really hard to find any good reviews/feedback online about them. They seem to be underwritten by Hollard Insurance, who have a terrible reputation, so that doesn't inspire me very much.

Appreciate any feedback! Thanks!

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141 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#2959907 26-Aug-2022 16:36

Have you considered Travel Insurance from nib - protect yourself and your holiday (nibtravel.co.nz)

Like Southern Cross, they specialise in medical insurance.

hotsupes

161 posts

Master Geek

#2959925 26-Aug-2022 17:00

Yea I didn't even check NIB given the awful experiences my friends have had with them, of course YMMV but I couldn't roll with them.

AA were good on claims i've made on my car insurance, but i've yet to use them for Travel. With Southern Cross for Health atm, they have been excellent there.

panther2

370 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2959933 26-Aug-2022 17:23

Currently got a claim in to AA placed 1st July so they are slow buy the cover was superior to SC when we booked in April for a month holiday

hotsupes

161 posts

Master Geek

#2959939 26-Aug-2022 17:53

panther2: Currently got a claim in to AA placed 1st July so they are slow buy the cover was superior to SC when we booked in April for a month holiday

ahh, i don't mind slow as long as results are "positive", are they helping you out or did you have to argue?. I guess slow might be a big hassle in a medical emergency. Did you go for the comprehensive cover or just essentials?

Southern Cross really seem to be lacking atm, previously they were the best travel insurance to go for, now they seem quite stingy compared to the other offerings and the price seems to be the same.

panther2

370 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2959942 26-Aug-2022 18:02

AA seemed OK with the issue before I left nz as I had flight that changed meant additional night in athens plus parking and differencing in flight cost. Will post how he goes.

hotsupes

161 posts

Master Geek

#2960125 27-Aug-2022 10:36

Thanks dude, would appreciate it :D still haven't decided but still leaning towards AA.

Managed to clarify a couple of things, the comprehensive seems way better and isn't that much more expensive when you factor in the 10% AA member discount.

scuwp

3880 posts

Uber Geek

#2960136 27-Aug-2022 11:50

Aren't AA consistently rated as one of the top insurers for customer satisfaction?

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

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hotsupes

161 posts

Master Geek

#2960140 27-Aug-2022 12:09

I believe it's just their insurance products which are underwritten by them which get all the rave reviews, it's pretty good from my own experience (AA Car insurance), they were very smooth - like SC was for any health insurance claims.

However, their AA Travel insurance offer is underwritten by "Hollard Insurance". So wasn't sure if the experience might be a little different.

kiwiharry

1020 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#2960151 27-Aug-2022 12:27

I got SCTI back in June as they had decent Covid related cover. I don't have to claim though.

Their Covid cover was in seperate endorsements, so not in the main policy document. You also had to be fully vaccinated to be covered.

Has that all changed?

If you can't laugh at yourself then you probably shouldn't laugh at others.

hotsupes

161 posts

Master Geek

#2961736 1-Sep-2022 00:25

kiwiharry: I got SCTI back in June as they had decent Covid related cover. I don't have to claim though.

Their Covid cover was in seperate endorsements, so not in the main policy document. You also had to be fully vaccinated to be covered.

Has that all changed?

They don't provide the same level of Covid-19 cover as AA Travel do, things like unforeseen accommodation costs etc (at least when i last looked!) = AA also don't care about your vaccination status. SCTI seemed to have the worst policy in regards to covid out of the insurance providers that I contacted.

Dulouz

878 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2961742 1-Sep-2022 07:03

Check out Travel Insurance / Mix & Match - Cheap Flights, Hotels & Car Hire Online (mixandmatch.co.nz) - same policy as AA but cheaper.

Amanon

corksta

2397 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#2961799 1-Sep-2022 09:48

hotsupes:

kiwiharry: I got SCTI back in June as they had decent Covid related cover. I don't have to claim though.

Their Covid cover was in seperate endorsements, so not in the main policy document. You also had to be fully vaccinated to be covered.

Has that all changed?

They don't provide the same level of Covid-19 cover as AA Travel do, things like unforeseen accommodation costs etc (at least when i last looked!) = AA also don't care about your vaccination status. SCTI seemed to have the worst policy in regards to covid out of the insurance providers that I contacted.

Not quite. TINZ have the worst, as in there is absolutely no cover whatsoever for anything COVID related. We have a few hundred dollars of credit with them due to a cancelled trip from 2020 and it's virtually worthless due to not having that cover.

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#2961811 1-Sep-2022 10:08

Have used both, and both have been good, though I've not had any COVID-specific claims (mostly things like flights rescheduled due to airline staffing etc).

Personally, I've found SCTI easier & faster to claim, provided your claim meets their criteria. I've found AA slower, but more flexible and with more open criteria. For disclosure, I have health insurance with Southern Cross, and home/contents/vehicle with AA, and do not know if these 'extended' customer aspects play any part in the service and offerings I've had from them in regards travel insurance.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29723 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2969339 16-Sep-2022 21:59

any more comments on overseas travel insurance?

thanks

Divhon88

99 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#2969357 17-Sep-2022 01:26

My family have a 5 weeks trip overseas on January we went AA because as mentioned here they have good reputation on their car & content insurance plus they have their price on my budget. They provide 2x car insurance and content with me currently. If my house will ever be built crossed finger I may also go with them.

My health insurance is with NIB we had a health claim with them before they were quick & easy opposite of the reviews available. I didn't go with them as they are about double the price of AA.

Just before before Covid we went with Chubb for travel insurance but I can't find them anymore to inquire about price. They had a good price then.

We never had a claim from Travel Insurance yet.

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