Research house Cannex has awarded five-star ratings to travel insurers iTrek, Southern Cross Travel Insurance, SkyCover, Virgin Blue and 1300 Insurance.

It reviewed 42 travel insurance brands and 221 comprehensive policies, rating all from one to five stars. 

Cannex singled out iTrek in the international travel insurance category for its flexible levels of cover allowing travellers to pick cover based on price while still including medical and personal liability.

iTrek also won a five-star rating for its medical product due its offer of unlimited cover and competitive pricing, even at its basic level of cover. Chartis underwrites both international travel insurance products.

Southern Cross’ international travel insurance product gained the five-star rating based on its pricing and high item limits in its domestic insurance product. 

Cannex liked Skycover’s $5000 for luggage insurance and unlimited cover for cancellation fees included in its domestic travel insurance product.

Both the Skycover and Virgin Blue products are underwritten by Allianz Australia. The Virgin Blue domestic cover won its five-star rating for unlimited cancellation charges cover and the limits for all equipment and car hire claims.

The other medical insurance product given five stars was 1300 Insurance, singled out for its pricing and unlimited medical and evacuation cover.