Southern Cross and Travel Insurance Direct have been rated “outstanding value” in a Canstar study.

Research house Canstar tested 29 New Zealand travel insurance providers, examining 55 policies for seven countries.

Southern Cross earned praise for its competitive premiums, online claims and its inclusion of up to $60,000 travel delay cover and up to $100,000 cancellation and loss-of-deposit cover for families.

Travel Insurance Direct also impressed with its premiums, plus extras such as $500 cover for domestic pets and household services, full snow cover, flexible excess options and a 24-hour helpline that allows reverse-charge calls.

“The one thing that is clear is there is a lot of difference in the fine print of policies available,” Canstar’s New Zealand GM Derek Bonnar said.

Southern Cross and Travel Insurance Direct came top in both the international travel insurance and trans-Tasman travel cover categories.