Summary
Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) is New Zealand’s most established travel insurer — 100% New Zealand-owned, operating for more than 40 years, with unlimited overseas medical cover on its International Comprehensive plan — SCTI is the first and only New Zealand travel insurer to offer a TravelCare Delay Assist benefit, which provided payouts of more than $15.3 million across 11,400+ delay-related claims between 2023 and April 2026; Cover-More (part of Zurich Insurance Group), World Nomads, Allianz Partners and 1Cover are among the other major providers in the New Zealand market
ACC covers accidents in New Zealand — it does not cover overseas medical costs — New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation provides automatic cover for injuries that occur within New Zealand; it does not extend to injuries or medical costs incurred overseas; New Zealand has reciprocal health care agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom only — Health New Zealand confirms that neither agreement provides full coverage and recommends travellers hold comprehensive travel insurance regardless
Travel insurance policies vary significantly in what they cover — medical cover, evacuation, trip cancellation, adventure activity cover, cruise cover, pre-existing condition cover and luggage limits all differ between providers and policy tiers; New Zealand travellers who participate in adventure activities (skiing, bungee jumping, hiking, skydiving) should check specifically whether their activities are covered as standard or require an add-on
Key entry requirement for New Zealand travellers to Europe — ETIAS coming
New Zealand passport holders travelling to Europe in late 2026 or 2027 should be aware of ETIAS — the EU’s new digital travel authorisation. The ETIAS launch has been delayed beyond Q4 2026; 2027 is now the most likely launch year. When it launches, Schengen visa applications will require proof of travel insurance with minimum medical cover. Check smartraveller.govt.nz and official EU sources before booking European travel.
ACC and overseas travel — what New Zealanders need to know
ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) covers personal injury by accident for anyone in New Zealand — residents and visitors alike. It does not extend to injuries or medical expenses incurred overseas.
New Zealand has reciprocal health care agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom only. Under these agreements, New Zealanders may access some emergency public health care in those two countries. Coverage is limited — Health New Zealand confirms that “neither agreement provides full coverage” and recommends travellers hold comprehensive travel insurance. For all other destinations — including the United States, most of Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East and most of Africa — there is no reciprocal health coverage and ACC does not apply.
Top travel insurance providers in New Zealand
Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI)
Southern Cross Travel Insurance is New Zealand’s most established dedicated travel insurer — 100% New Zealand-owned and operating for more than 40 years. It is the travel insurance arm of Southern Cross Health Society, one of New Zealand’s most recognised health insurance brands.
International Comprehensive plan features:
- Unlimited overseas medical cover
- Unlimited evacuation and repatriation
- TravelCare Delay Assist — a real-time delay benefit; the only product of its kind currently offered by a New Zealand travel insurer
- Cruise cover available as an add-on
- Skiing and snowboarding cover available as an add-on
- Moped and motorbike cover available as an add-on
- Pre-existing conditions can be assessed for cover through an online process — not all conditions are automatically excluded
- Nil excess option available at higher premium
International Medical Only plan: Emergency medical cover only — for travellers who already have separate cancellation cover (some credit cards) and want medical protection only.
Best for: New Zealand travellers wanting a locally-owned provider with a strong domestic claims reputation; travellers who value the TravelCare Delay Assist benefit; those who want flexible add-ons for specific activities.
Cover-More New Zealand
Cover-More is part of the Zurich Insurance Group — one of Australasia’s largest travel insurance providers, operating in New Zealand through direct sales and travel agent partners.
International policy tiers:
- International Basic — core medical and cancellation cover
- International Comprehensive — broader cover across cancellation, luggage and more
- International Comprehensive+ — highest tier with enhanced limits
Features:
- Unlimited overseas medical cover (Comprehensive and Comprehensive+ tiers)
- Cruise cover available as an add-on
- Adventure activities add-on available
- Snow sports cover available as an add-on
- Motorcycle and moped riding cover available as an add-on
- Online pre-existing condition declaration process
Best for: Travellers who want a large, internationally backed provider with comprehensive cover; travellers booking through a travel agent.
World Nomads
World Nomads is widely used by New Zealand backpackers, long-term travellers and adventure travellers — its core differentiator is the breadth of adventure activities covered as standard.
Key features:
- More than 250 adventure activities covered as standard — including skiing, bungee jumping, skydiving, hiking, scuba diving and many others
- Strong evacuation and emergency medical cover
- Policy can be purchased or extended while already travelling abroad — useful for long-term travellers whose plans change mid-trip
- Available in two tiers: Standard and Explorer (higher limits)
Best for: Backpackers; adventure travellers; long-term travellers; anyone planning activities like skiing, hiking or skydiving who does not want to buy add-ons.
Allianz Partners New Zealand
Allianz Partners is the New Zealand arm of Allianz — one of the world’s largest insurance groups — offering comprehensive international, domestic and cruise travel insurance.
Key features:
- High overseas medical limits
- Worldwide assistance network
- Comprehensive international, domestic and cruise options
- Available through direct sales and travel agent partners
Best for: Travellers who want the backing of a large global insurer; those travelling to destinations where access to the Allianz worldwide assistance network is valued.
1Cover New Zealand
1Cover is an online-focused travel insurer offering competitive pricing for standard-risk healthy travellers.
Key features:
- Straightforward policy structure
- Competitive pricing for standard trips
- Online policy management
- Strong medical cover limits
Best for: Straightforward international trips; travellers wanting competitive pricing without complex add-on requirements.
AA Travel Insurance
AA Travel Insurance (Automobile Association) offers domestic and international travel insurance for New Zealand travellers.
International plan features:
- Unlimited overseas medical cover
- Trip cancellation cover
- Luggage and personal effects cover
Domestic plan features:
- Essentials tier: $250,000 medical cover
- Comprehensive tier: Unlimited medical cover
Best for: AA members; domestic travel within New Zealand; travellers who prefer a known New Zealand motoring and services brand.
AMI Travel Insurance
AMI (part of the IAG group) offers international and winter sports travel insurance for New Zealand travellers.
Key features:
- Unlimited overseas medical cover
- Winter sports cover available
Best for: Standard international trips; ski travellers who want to bundle winter sports cover with standard travel insurance.
Other providers in the New Zealand market
The New Zealand travel insurance market includes several additional providers listed on major comparison platforms:
Tower
Tower is one of New Zealand’s oldest and largest general insurers — founded in 1869, publicly listed on the NZX and operating for over 150 years. Tower’s travel insurance is issued and managed by AWP Services New Zealand Limited trading as Allianz Partners, and underwritten by Tower Limited. Policy tiers include International Comprehensive (unlimited overseas medical cover), International Essentials ($250,000 medical cover) and International Frequent Flyer (unlimited trips per year, up to 60 days per trip). Dependants under 21 travel free with a parent or grandparent. Listed on MoneyHub NZ and Canstar NZ comparison panels.
InsureandGo
InsureandGo offers a range of travel insurance policies for New Zealand travellers including winter sports coverage and both single and multi-trip options. Listed on Finder NZ’s comparison platform.
Zoom Travel Insurance
Zoom is an online travel insurer offering policies for a range of holiday types. Listed on Finder NZ’s comparison platform.
AllClear
AllClear specialises in travel insurance for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions — covering more than 1,300 pre-existing conditions and travellers of any age. Listed on Finder NZ’s comparison platform.
Orbit Protect
A New Zealand-based specialist primarily offering inbound travel insurance for international students, working holiday visa holders and visitors coming to New Zealand. Orbit Protect may also suit New Zealanders on extended overseas stays. Listed on compare.org.nz.
What travel insurance policies cover
Policy inclusions vary by provider and tier. The following are commonly included in comprehensive policies — always read the Policy Wording before purchasing:
Commonly included:
- Overseas emergency medical costs
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- Trip cancellation for covered reasons
- Luggage and personal items (limits vary)
- Travel delay allowances
- Personal liability
Commonly excluded or subject to conditions:
- Pre-existing medical conditions — declaration requirements and coverage outcomes vary; read the policy wording
- Adventure and extreme sports — may be excluded from standard policies; add-ons typically available
- Cruise cover — usually requires a specific add-on
- High-value individual items — per-item sub-limits apply in most policies
- Alcohol-related incidents — generally excluded
Adventure activities — a key consideration for New Zealand travellers
New Zealand is one of the world’s leading adventure travel destinations — bungee jumping, skydiving, glacier hiking, ski touring, white-water rafting, jet boating and heli-skiing are common activities. Standard travel insurance policies from most providers do not automatically cover all of these.
Before purchasing, check:
- Which activities are covered as standard
- Which require a paid add-on
- Whether the activity is covered at the price tier you are buying
World Nomads covers 250+ activities as standard. Southern Cross, Cover-More and Allianz offer add-ons for skiing, snowboarding, motorcycle riding and other activities. Read the policy wording carefully.
Comparing providers at a glance
| Provider | Medical cover | Adventure activities | NZ-owned | Key differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Cross | Unlimited (Comprehensive) | Add-ons available | Yes | TravelCare Delay Assist; 40+ years NZ experience |
| Cover-More | Unlimited (Comprehensive+) | Add-ons available | No (Zurich) | Large Australasian scale; travel agent distribution |
| World Nomads | Strong limits | 250+ as standard | No | Best for adventure travellers |
| Allianz Partners | High limits | Add-ons available | No (Allianz) | Global insurer network |
| 1Cover | Strong limits | Standard | No | Competitive pricing |
| AA Travel Insurance | Unlimited | Standard | No | AA brand; domestic strong |
| AMI | Unlimited | Winter sports option | No | Part of IAG group |
Always check the current PDS (Policy Wording) for each provider before purchasing — inclusions, limits and add-on availability change.
Single trip vs annual multi-trip
| Single trip | Annual multi-trip | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | One trip | Multiple trips within a year |
| Trip duration limit | Set per policy | Typically 30-90 days per trip |
| Best suited to | Travellers taking one overseas trip per year | Travellers taking three or more trips per year |
Credit card travel insurance
Some New Zealand credit cards include complimentary travel insurance. Terms, inclusions, exclusions and activation requirements vary by card. Key factors to check:
- Activation requirements — many cards require minimum spend on the card to activate insurance
- Coverage limits — credit card policies typically have lower limits than standalone comprehensive policies
- Pre-existing conditions — coverage varies by card
- Family coverage — not all card policies automatically cover accompanying family members
Refer to the policy wording supplied with the card for full details.
When to purchase
Travel insurance can be purchased at any time before departure. Policy terms on when cover begins — including trip cancellation cover — vary by provider. Refer to the policy wording before purchasing.
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Does ACC cover me overseas?
No — ACC covers injuries that occur within New Zealand only. It does not cover medical costs incurred overseas. New Zealand has reciprocal health care agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom only — Health New Zealand confirms neither agreement provides full coverage.
Which countries have reciprocal health care agreements with New Zealand?
Australia and the United Kingdom only. Health New Zealand confirms that neither agreement provides full coverage and recommends travellers hold comprehensive travel insurance.
What is the best travel insurance in New Zealand for adventure activities?
World Nomads covers 250+ adventure activities as standard — suited to skiers, hikers, skydiving, bungee jumping and similar. Southern Cross, Cover-More and Allianz all offer adventure activity add-ons.
Is travel insurance required to visit any countries from New Zealand?
Travel insurance with minimum medical cover is required for Schengen visa applications (26 European countries). Several other countries also require proof of insurance for entry — check safetravel.govt.nz for specific destination requirements.
What is TravelCare Delay Assist?
A Southern Cross Travel Insurance benefit that provides real-time delay compensation — currently the only product of its kind offered by a New Zealand travel insurer. SCTI paid out more than $15.3 million across 11,400+ delay-related claims between 2023 and April 2026.
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This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. Always read the Policy Wording before purchasing travel insurance and verify current information at safetravel.govt.nz and the provider’s website. Last updated September 2026.
Sources: moneyhub.co.nz — Compare Travel Insurance NZ 2026 (2026) | moneybalance.co.nz — Best Travel Insurance NZ 2026 (May 6, 2026) | compare.org.nz — Compare Travel Insurance NZ 2026 (March 6, 2026) | zetsim.com — Best Travel Insurance in New Zealand (May 27, 2026) | wise.com/nz — Best travel insurance in New Zealand | canstar.co.nz — Compare Travel Insurance NZ (April 13, 2026) | ACC — acc.co.nz (official)
