NZ insurer Southern Cross Travel Insurance is the standout performer in a review of travel insurers for the Australian market carried out by consumer magazine Choice.

In a comprehensive review undertaken for its May edition, Choice examined the features and price of 21 travel insurance brands sold in the local market.

Choice measured insurer performance against four travel scenarios: five days in NZ, 10 days in Thailand, 21 days in the US, and 28 days in Europe and the UK.

Southern Cross policies were rated “best buy” in each of the four categories, based on a combination of policy features and price.

Its policies rated 75% for both single and adult/family policies and were the cheapest of all the recommended policies in each of the four categories.

Chartis-underwritten Good2Go policies attracted the best overall rating for single adult policy features in three out of four categories, scoring 81%.

It was beaten in the US category by QBE-underwritten brand Ouch International, at 84%.

Good2Go also took out three out of four categories for best features in a couple/family policy, at 78%.

Great Lakes Australia-underwritten brand Cover-More Travelsure edged Good2Go in the European stakes, with its couple/family policy scoring 79%.

Other policies recommended by Choice include Allianz-underwritten brands 1Cover and Travel Insurance Direct.