Southern Cross is New Zealand's largest health insurer and a not-for-profit friendly society founded in 1961. With 950,000+ members, 94% of premiums returned as claims, and over 60 years of trust, we've analysed ratings from Trustpilot, Canstar, and Reader's Digest to give you the full picture.
In This Review
What is Southern Cross and who's behind it?
Southern Cross Health Society is New Zealand's largest health insurer, founded in 1961 as the Southern Cross Medical Care Society. It operates as a not-for-profit friendly society, meaning all surpluses are retained as reserves or used to moderate premium increases - there are no shareholders taking profits.
Headquartered in Auckland, Southern Cross serves over 940,000 health insurance members, representing approximately 55-62% of the NZ health insurance market and more than 17% of New Zealand's total population. In FY25, 94 cents of every premium dollar was returned to members in claims, with 3.8 million claims paid.
The Southern Cross group includes several entities: Southern Cross Health Society (health insurance), Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI), Southern Cross Pet Insurance, Southern Cross Life Insurance, and Southern Cross Healthcare (NZ's largest private hospital network).
Southern Cross has been named Reader's Digest Most Trusted Brand in Health Insurance for eight consecutive years (2017-2025). The company offers:
Southern Cross sells health insurance directly to consumers and through employer schemes. The My Southern Cross app enables easy claims, benefit checks, and prior approvals. Members can access cashless treatment through a network of 2,074+ Affiliated Providers across 35 specialties. Learn more about their history since 1961.
How customers rate Southern Cross across major review platforms
Note on rating differences: Southern Cross shows distinctly different ratings across its product lines. The travel insurance arm (SCTI) has a strong 4.5/5 from 2,237 Trustpilot reviews, while the health insurance Trustpilot page shows just 2.3/5 from only 17 reviews - too small a sample to be statistically reliable. Industry awards from Reader's Digest and Canstar paint a very positive picture. We weight ratings by review volume and consider all available data sources. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Common themes from 2,254+ reviews across Trustpilot, Canstar, and Reader's Digest data
Travel claim was incredibly smooth. Submitted my receipts online, and the refund was in my account within a week. Really impressed with SCTI's process.
The Affiliated Provider network is brilliant. Had my specialist appointment, surgery, and follow-up all covered with no out-of-pocket costs at all.
Premium went up 18% this year despite barely using my cover. The not-for-profit claim feels hollow when increases are this steep year after year.
My Southern Cross app makes everything simple. Checked my remaining benefits, found an Affiliated Provider, and submitted my claim all from my phone.
Claim denied for a procedure I was told would be covered. The appeals process took months and the outcome felt predetermined. Very disappointing.
Have had Southern Cross for 15 years and trust them completely. The hospital network across NZ is unmatched. Renewed again without hesitation.
Reviews are paraphrased summaries of verified customer feedback. Theme percentages are based on our analysis of the most recent 500 Trustpilot reviews and award data as of March 2026.
Southern Cross covers health, travel, pet, and life insurance - but does not offer car or home cover
NZ's largest health insurer with six plan levels and specialist add-ons. 2,074+ Affiliated Providers enable cashless treatment across 35 specialties. Winner of Reader's Digest Most Trusted 2017-2025.
Award-winning travel cover via SCTI. Winner of Canstar Outstanding Value for 6+ consecutive years. International Comprehensive includes unlimited overseas medical.
Cover for cats and dogs with flexible annual limits and co-payment options. FreeCover offers 6 weeks free for puppies and kittens aged 6-26 weeks.
Life & Living Insurance launched November 2025 via Southern Cross Life. Up to $1.5M life cover with terminal illness benefit and bereavement support.
Southern Cross does not offer car insurance. For car cover, consider providers like AA Insurance, Tower, or the insurance brand Cove.
Southern Cross does not offer house, contents, renters, or landlord insurance. For home cover, consider AA Insurance, Tower, or AMI.
The good and the not-so-good based on customer reviews and our analysis
How much does Southern Cross insurance cost? Indicative examples based on market analysis
Southern Cross pricing varies significantly across its product lines. As a not-for-profit, there are no shareholder returns - meaning more of your premium goes toward claims (94 cents per dollar in FY25). Health premiums are reviewed annually, with increases varying year to year. Here are indicative examples:
Disclaimer: These are indicative estimates based on publicly reported customer experiences and market comparisons, not official Southern Cross quotes. Your actual premium will vary based on your specific circumstances, age, and location. Get an accurate quote at southerncross.co.nz. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Health insurance premiums increase with age. Annual reviews may result in significant increases as you get older, with 18-20% annual hikes reported by some members.
Six health plan tiers from HealthEssentials (basic) to UltraCare (comprehensive). Higher tiers cost more but cover a wider range of treatments and specialists.
Choosing a higher excess or co-payment percentage (10-30% for pet insurance) reduces your monthly premium but increases your out-of-pocket costs when claiming.
Pet insurance premiums vary by species, breed, and age. PetCare is only available for pets under 7 years old. Annual benefit limits range from $2,500 to $15,000.
2.5% discount for direct debit payments on pet insurance. Additional 2.5% discount for Southern Cross health members taking pet cover.
5% discount when insuring multiple pets. Combined with member and direct debit discounts, savings can add up across the household.
Southern Cross vs. other NZ health and insurance providers
| Feature | Southern Cross | nib NZ | Accuro | UniMed | Cove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 7.8/10 Editorial | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 | 4.7/5 2,381 reviews |
| Structure | Not-for-profit | For-profit (MBL listed) | Not-for-profit | Not-for-profit | For-profit |
| Health Insurance | 6 plans | Multiple plans | Multiple plans | Multiple plans | Not offered |
| Travel Insurance | 4 products (SCTI) | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Pet Insurance | 3 tiers + FreeCover | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Available |
| Life Insurance | Up to $1.5M | Available | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Car/Home Insurance | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Car available |
| Provider Network | 2,074+ providers | Partner network | Provider network | Provider network | N/A |
| Market Share (Health) | 55-62% | ~10-15% | ~5% | ~3% | N/A |
| Awards | RD Most Trusted 8yr | Canstar rated | Regional awards | Regional awards | 4.7/5 Trustpilot |
Disclaimer: Ratings are aggregated from Trustpilot, Canstar, Reader's Digest, and other publicly available sources. Features may change - verify directly with the insurer. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Other NZ insurers worth considering, depending on your priorities
Major health insurer also offering life insurance. Part of the ASX-listed nib Group. A commonly chosen alternative for those wanting health cover from a for-profit insurer with different plan structures.
Not-for-profit health insurer with a similar member-focused ethos to Southern Cross. Smaller but well-regarded, particularly in the Wellington region. May suit those wanting a not-for-profit alternative.
Not-for-profit health insurer based in Hawke's Bay. Offers a range of health plans with a focus on accessibility and member value. A smaller alternative with a community-focused approach.
Digital-first insurance brand offering car and pet insurance at competitive prices. Covers products Southern Cross does not offer (car insurance). Monthly billing with no lock-in contracts.
Southern Cross may suit some customers more than others
New Zealanders prioritising health insurance from NZ's most established provider, with 2,074+ Affiliated Providers enabling cashless treatment nationwide.
Those who value a not-for-profit structure where premiums go to claims rather than shareholders - 94 cents of every dollar returned as claims in FY25.
Travellers wanting award-winning cover from SCTI - Canstar Outstanding Value winner for 6+ consecutive years with unlimited overseas medical on Comprehensive plans.
Those seeking car, home, or contents insurance, or customers wanting all insurance products from a single provider. Southern Cross focuses on health, travel, pet, and life only.
Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of Southern Cross
With 950,000+ members, 60+ years of operation, and a not-for-profit model that returns 94% of premiums as claims, Southern Cross is the dominant force in NZ health insurance. The Reader's Digest Most Trusted Brand recognition for eight consecutive years (2017-2025) and the extensive Affiliated Provider network (2,074+ across 35 specialties) make it a commonly chosen option for health-conscious New Zealanders.
Travel insurance via SCTI is a genuine standout - 4.5/5 on Trustpilot from 2,237 reviews and Canstar Outstanding Value for 6+ consecutive years. Pet insurance offers flexible options with the attractive FreeCover for puppies and kittens. Life insurance, launched in November 2025, rounds out the group offering.
However, the limited product range (no car, home, or contents insurance) means Southern Cross cannot be a one-stop-shop. Health insurance premium increases tied to age (18-20% annual hikes reported) and occasional claims denials are areas of concern noted by some members. The health Trustpilot rating of 2.3/5 - albeit from just 17 reviews - warrants monitoring as more reviews accumulate.
Common questions about Southern Cross
How we research and rate insurance companies
This review is based on data collected from the following sources, last verified in March 2026:
Our editorial scores (out of 10) are calculated using a weighted methodology that considers:
Disclaimer: Nothing on this page constitutes financial advice. Scores are editorial opinion based on publicly available data. Always verify details directly with Southern Cross and consider seeking professional advice for your specific situation. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
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