Nib Holdings is preparing to resume travel insurance sales after entering into an underwriting arrangement with new partner, Pacific International Insurance.

The business put a pause on sales in Australia and New Zealand after its previous partnership with Axa XL ended early last month.

A spokesman for Nib told insuranceNEWS.com.au the length of the arrangement with Pacific International Insurance is commercial in confidence.

Travel insurance sales will restart in a phased approach from the middle of this month, Nib said in a business update on Friday.

“We’re resuming sales for each of the brands within Nib Travel Group in a phased approach, for instance Nib Travel insurance sales will resume from November 22 with the other brands to follow,” the spokesman said.

Nib Travel CEO Anna Gladman says the new partnership “couldn’t come at a better time” now that state and international travel restrictions have eased. Since this month, fully vaccinated residents can leave the country following the lifting of the travel ban.

“We expect our travel insurance business to recover quickly with the opening of borders to quickly build momentum,” Ms Gladman said.

There will be no major changes to Nib Travel’s range of offerings, pricing, services and coverage under the agreement with Pacific International, which is owned by South Africa’s Badger International.

Ms Gladman says the products include cover for some COVID-related events such as medical expenses incurred overseas, cancellation and additional accommodation costs if insureds need to go into quarantine as a result of a diagnosis.

Pacific International already underwrites a number of products in Australia and New Zealand, including PD Insurance and Blue Badge Insurance, an Australian disability insurance specialist.

“[Badger International] Chairman Brad Hogan and I are pleased to partner with Nib Travel, one of the leading providers of travel insurance products across Australia and New Zealand, as both countries begin to enjoy increased travel freedoms,” Pacific International CEO and Executive Director Roland Lange said.