Southern Cross Travel Insurance has won top honours at this year’s Plain English Awards in New Zealand.

The awards are an annual event that aims to improve government and business documents as well as raise public awareness of the need for, and benefits of, plain language.

The insurer’s Domestic Travel Insurance Policy wordings format triumphed in the Best Plain English Legal Document category, winning over the judging panel with its use of language, structure and presentation that enables consumers to understand the information presented.

“It skilfully employs all the right plain English and clear design techniques,” Jan Bowen, one of the judges, said. “Its language and layout make understanding it as easy as it can be without losing its legal rigour.”

Jacqueline Stephenson, another judge, says the insurer produced a document with good consistency in heading size and use of colour.

“The document has a good tone,” she said. “It’s friendly but professional — and that’s not always an easy balance to strike.”

Southern Cross says it plans to continue investing in making more of its policies available in plain language, making it easier for customers to understand what they’re covered for.

“Writing our policies in plain language is just one part of our commitment to simplicity, transparency and delivering a great customer experience,” CEO Jo McCauley said.

“It’s important to us that we build trust and goodwill with our customers through policies which are clear and easy to understand.”

Click here for Southern Cross’s domestic travel insurance policy document and here for the list of winners.