Travel Insurance Underwriters
When you buy travel insurance, the brand you purchase your policy from isn't always the same company that underwrites the policy. In New Zealand, a number of travel insurance brands are underwritten by a smaller group of insurance companies.
The underwriter is the insurer that ultimately takes on the financial risk associated with the policy and is responsible for paying eligible claims in accordance with the policy terms.
Why does the underwriter matter?
The underwriter behind a policy can be important when you're comparing travel insurance, particularly if you have specific cover requirements.
Different underwriters may have different approaches to pre-existing medical conditions, exclusions, eligibility criteria and claims, so two policies that appear similar may not provide the same level of cover.
If you're looking for cover for a particular circumstance, comparing policies backed by different underwriters may give you more options than simply comparing several brands backed by the same insurer.
Who underwrites who?
We've put together a list of New Zealand travel insurance brands and the companies that underwrite their policies. The list isn't exhaustive, as the market includes a range of brands and products.
When comparing policies, checking the underwriter can give you a better understanding of which insurer is ultimately taking on the risk behind the policy, rather than simply comparing the consumer-facing brand names.
| Provider | Do we compare quotes | Underwriter | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 1Cover | Yes | HDI Global Specialty SE – New Zealand | Quote | |
 TINZ | Yes | HDI Global Specialty SE – New Zealand | Quote | |
 Zoom | Yes | HDI Global Specialty SE – New Zealand | Quote | |
 Southern Cross | No Southern Cross Benefits Limited | Southern Cross Benefits Limited | ||
 State Insurance | No Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (trading as Zurich New Zealand) | Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (trading as Zurich New Zealand) | ||
 AA Travel | No | Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (trading as Zurich New Zealand) | ||
 Cover-More | No | Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (trading as Zurich New Zealand) | ||
 Tower Insurance | No | Tower Limited | ||
 World Nomads | No | Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd | ||
 AMI Insurance | No Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (trading as Zurich New Zealand) | Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (trading as Zurich New Zealand) |
General Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.
