≡-New Zealand’s Southern Cross Travel Insurance Partners with Kiwi Holiday Insurance to Enhance Travel Protection for Locals – Viral of Today

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Home » New Zealand Travel News » New Zealand’s Southern Cross Travel Insurance Partners with Kiwi Holiday Insurance to Enhance Travel Protection for Locals Friday, June 27, 2025In a strategic move to improve travel protection for New Zealanders, Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has entered into a partnership with Kiwi Holiday Insurance (KHI). This partnership, set to take effect on December 15, 2025, will see SCTI assuming responsibility for underwriting, claims management, and emergency assistance services for all KHI policies. This collaboration aims to enhance the customer experience for New Zealand travelers, merging SCTI’s extensive operational framework with KHI’s innovative online-first approach to insurance distribution.Both companies have emphasized the value of this collaboration in creating a more integrated service offering for local travelers, capitalizing on their shared infrastructure and customer-centric strategies. The partnership is designed to streamline access to travel insurance, ultimately providing better value and greater peace of mind for Kiwis as they explore the world.A New Chapter in Travel Insurance ServicesJess Strange, the Chief Customer Officer at SCTI, discussed how this partnership will simplify the travel insurance process for New Zealanders. By combining the expertise and infrastructure of SCTI with KHI’s agility and customer-led innovation, Strange believes the partnership will offer enhanced choices for Kiwi travelers. The collaboration will enable SCTI and KHI to deliver not only more affordable coverage options but also better service and support to meet the unique needs of New Zealand’s travelers.“We’re combining SCTI’s deep expertise and infrastructure with KHI’s agile, customer-led innovation. Together, we can offer more choice, better value, and greater peace of mind to Kiwi travellers,” said Strange. This partnership signifies SCTI’s commitment to keeping New Zealand at the heart of its service and providing travelers with the most seamless and comprehensive insurance options available.Strengthening Local Travel CoverageThe most notable change for KHI customers will be the shift in responsibility for service delivery to SCTI. All aspects of KHI’s insurance service, from policy issuance and claims processing to emergency assistance, will now be managed within New Zealand, ensuring that local operations are streamlined and more accessible to Kiwi travelers.Shannon Gereaux, the Regional Managing Director of KHI, expressed confidence in the new arrangement, citing SCTI’s longstanding presence and strong reputation in the New Zealand market as crucial factors in choosing them as a partner. “SCTI is a natural fit for us. They’ve earned the trust of generations of New Zealanders, and we’re proud to work alongside them to continue delivering what our customers love – simple, no-nonsense travel insurance that works,” Gereaux said.In addition to benefiting from SCTI’s solid market history, KHI’s Country Manager Mike van Beekhuizen highlighted the importance of the shared market knowledge between the two firms. This synergy, he believes, will lead to improved outcomes for customers and reinforce the commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable travel insurance. “This is about bringing the best of both worlds together. We’re excited to continue growing KHI with the strength and experience of Southern Cross Travel Insurance behind us. Two New Zealand-based companies who understand Kiwis, working together – it’s a win for our customers and partners alike,” van Beekhuizen added.Domestic Travel Claims: Rising Costs Reflect Shifting NeedsThe partnership comes at a time when SCTI’s recent claims data reveals rising costs for domestic travel disruptions. Traditionally, the costs of domestic travel insurance claims have been lower than international ones, but the recent data indicates that the financial impact of domestic disruptions is now comparable to that of international travel.Between May 2024 and April 2025, 7.9% of SCTI’s domestic travel policyholders lodged claims, with the average payout reaching $1,170. This figure is strikingly close to the $1,466 average for international travel claims during the same period. Despite lower premiums for domestic travel policies, claims related to medical cancellations, storm-related disruptions, and even hospital admissions for pre-existing health conditions have risen, creating an unexpected financial burden on insurers.One of the highest-cost claims included a medical incident in which a passenger required hospitalization for a pneumothorax, resulting in a payout of $11,733. Other claims ranged from $6,000 to $8,000, underscoring the increasing financial impact of domestic travel issues. With costs on the rise, both SCTI and KHI are focusing on improving the accessibility and coverage of travel protection, ensuring that New Zealanders are better equipped to handle such disruptions in the future.A Clear Focus on Customer Service and ProtectionAs travel becomes an increasingly essential part of daily life for many New Zealanders, the need for comprehensive travel protection has never been more apparent. The partnership between SCTI and KHI aims to meet these growing demands by offering customers a more accessible and efficient service. By merging the experience of SCTI with KHI’s innovative approach, the two companies aim to provide a more cohesive and customer-centric solution.While this partnership strengthens travel protection for New Zealanders, it also highlights a broader shift in the insurance industry toward streamlined and localized service models. Customers no longer have to worry about navigating complex international insurance claims or dealing with slow response times from distant service centers. Instead, they can rely on a system that is integrated with local expertise and infrastructure, offering a smoother and more reliable insurance experience.Euro-based Travel Insurance: What’s Next?While the primary focus of this partnership is on New Zealand’s domestic and outbound travel, the agreement has broader implications for the travel insurance sector. The collaboration between two major local players is a reminder that the landscape of global travel insurance is shifting, with more companies opting for tailored solutions that speak directly to regional needs.This shift is likely to have wider implications for travelers outside of New Zealand, particularly in terms of how companies handle claims, policy issuance, and customer service across international borders. For example, while the KHI-SCTI collaboration focuses on New Zealand’s local market, it could signal a larger trend toward more localized, accessible solutions for travelers worldwide. As the travel industry continues to recover and evolve post-pandemic, partnerships like these may become more common, reflecting a growing need for flexibility and customization in insurance products.Conclusion: The Future of Travel Protection for KiwisWith the partnership between Southern Cross Travel Insurance and Kiwi Holiday Insurance, New Zealand’s travelers are set to benefit from a more integrated and responsive travel insurance system. This collaboration offers increased protection, better customer service, and greater peace of mind to those traveling both domestically and internationally.For SCTI and KHI, this is just the beginning of a broader movement toward enhancing travel protection options for New Zealanders. As the insurance industry adapts to the changing travel landscape, this partnership exemplifies the growing need for localized, customer-first solutions in a market that increasingly values both innovation and reliability.Whether it’s dealing with the rising costs of domestic travel claims or expanding coverage options for international travelers, SCTI and KHI are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of travel insurance in New Zealand, ensuring that the country’s travelers are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of modern travel. As the world continues to recover from global disruptions, Kiwis can expect a smoother, more secure travel experience, thanks to this powerful partnership.«Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us»Tags: Claims Management, customer service, domestic travel, insurance coverage, Insurance Partnership, International travel, Kiwi Holiday Insurance, new zealand, New Zealand travelers, Southern Cross Travel Insurance, travel insurance, travel protection

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