Southern Cross insurance entities have been acknowledged in the 2024 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand awards.
The organisation won in the health insurance, life insurance, and travel insurance categories and received a “Highly Commended” mention for pet insurance.
The Reader’s Digest awards, now in their 25th year, celebrate the brands New Zealanders trust the most, thanks to their consistent efforts amid a volatile market.
Reader’s Digest editor-in-chief Louise Waterson said the awards highlighted those that work hard to keep their promises by creating or enhancing innovative solutions to address the ever-changing needs of consumers.
“For a quarter of a century, the results of our Trusted Brands survey have consistently pointed to three important factors in securing trust: consistency, reliability, and value-for-money,” she said. “When times are challenging, like the current financial climate, customers can change their long-established purchasing habits. They do this out of need. But a brand that is recognised as being consistently good quality, of always being value-for-money and having a reputation untainted by controversy will always keep their loyal customers. Award-winning trusted brands understand the importance of working tirelessly to retain the trust of their existing customers and appeal to new ones, despite the challenges.”
Nick Astwick, CEO of Southern Cross Health Society, expressed his thoughts on the accolades, highlighting the efforts of Southern Cross businesses’ people.
“That we have secured ‘Trusted Brand’ awards comes down to teams of extraordinary people who put our members and customers first every day,” he said. “It’s their commitment to delivering outstanding products and exceptional service, which helps more New Zealanders trust us than ever before.
“We’re New Zealand’s largest health insurance business with 952,000 members; that’s 18% of the population. In the last financial year, we paid 72% of all health insurance claims in Aotearoa. We support wellbeing in more than 3,600 New Zealand workplaces through group insurance schemes and invest in research to support employers and their people to help increase productivity and improve retention and attraction.”
Southern Cross Travel Insurance, which recently bolstered its leadership team by appointing a new chief underwriting officer and a chief legal and risk officer in New Zealand and Australia, also received a Trusted Brand award.
Jo McCauley, CEO of Southern Cross Travel Insurance, said: “It’s been our privilege to help New Zealanders (and Australians) find their wings after the uncertainty of the pandemic. Last year, we insured more than 410,000 travellers in New Zealand and Australia, and we’re seeing even more take to the skies this year.
“Our flagship products support travellers of all ages adventuring around the world in places as diverse as the Pacific Islands and the atolls in the Indian Ocean to Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond. We also support international students and visitors to New Zealand, giving them the peace of mind they need to explore this wonderful country.”
Southern Cross Life Insurance, which also received recognition from Reader’s Digest, said it continues to resonate with members of Southern Cross Health Insurance and the broader market, offering a trusted option for safeguarding loved ones.
Southern Cross Pet Insurance, which now insures over 65,000 pets and processed more than $29.9 million in claims for the year ending June 30, 2023, received a Highly Commended award.
CEO Anthony McPhail said: “Our mission is to help protect the pet life here in Aotearoa and with more than $29.9 million paid out in claims in the last financial year for pets needing treatment, our team is working hard to make a difference. We’re focused on helping our customers look after their beloved pet family members, which means helping them access the healthcare they need to play ball, chase butterflies, and swim, run, cuddle, and sleep – knowing they’re living their best life.”
Other insurance companies considered by Reader’s Digest as most trusted brands in New Zealand this year are New Zealand Seniors and SPCA Pet Insurance.
