Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has launched a refreshed working overseas policy for travellers as overseas ventures post-pandemic have begun to rise once again.
The overhauled policy automatically covers both office-based work and some types of manual work, including enhanced benefits tailored towards longer experiences of living and working overseas. These benefits include optical treatment, emergency dental treatment, mental health care, rehabilitation and occupational therapy, and maternity care. In addition, the policy also covers holidays away from the travellers’ main destination and automatic cover for skiing, snowboarding, travelling by cruise, or riding mopeds.
The SCTI working overseas policy can be purchased for a duration of up to 12 months. If required, travellers can buy a subsequent 12-month policy if total cover is no longer than 60 months in total. SCTI CEO Jo McCauley said that the demand for a revamped working overseas policy is here due to a sizeable portion of Kiwis considering options for work abroad.
“While our refreshed Working Overseas insurance policy still does not cover the brave lion tamers among us, it’s definitely designed to look after most Kiwis who are spreading their wings after a few years of uncertainty,” McCauley said.
“There is most certainly demand which is evidenced by our Future of Travel 2023 research. This showed nearly half (46%) of New Zealand workers would consider living and working remotely overseas to extend a trip/holiday, with one in eight (12 per cent) who have plans to do so over the next 12 months and a quarter (25%) who would consider it but have not made any plans yet. The cohorts most likely to head away are Gen Z: 6%, Millennials: 59 per cent and Gen X: 38%,” McCauley said.
Citing the need for overseas experience as a rite of passage for Kiwis, McCauley said that it’s important for travellers to consider protecting themselves with travel insurance.
“When you’re living somewhere for a long period of time, the likelihood of needing medical assistance is increased and it’s important not to assume you can access the local health system for free – this isn’t always the case and can lead to expensive medical bills,” she said.
The revamp for the working overseas policy comes after Southern Cross claimed various awards in the 2023 Reader’s Digest NZ “most trusted brands” survey, including a top spot in the travel and life insurance category.
What are your thoughts on this story? Please feel free to share your comments below.
