Southern Cross, secures multiple wins in the 25th Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands awards
Southern Cross insurance businesses have been awarded Reader's Digest Trusted Brand 2024 awards across three key categories: Health Insurance, Life Insurance, and Travel Insurance, and they are Highly Commended for Pet Insurance.
In the 25th year of the Reader's Digest awards, the results acknowledge how Southern Cross businesses are dedicated to helping New Zealanders live healthier lives for longer, ensure their loved ones are protected, travel with confidence, and protect their beloved furry family members.
Southern Cross Health Society CEO, Nick Astwick, said of the awards, “That we have secured ‘Trusted Brand’ awards comes down to teams of extraordinary people who put our members and customers first every day. 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 per cent of the population. In the last financial year we paid 72 per cent 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.”
Astwick says the nature of the member-driven Friendly Society means surpluses are re-invested, not paid out to shareholders, and he’s proud that Southern Cross Health Insurance pays out more than 88 cents for every dollar received in premiums.
“This illustrates the positive impact we have on so many New Zealanders’ health. We’re enabling people from all walks of life to access the care they need when they need it. It means they can get back to being with whānau and colleagues more quickly and make a real difference in their communities.”
Other Trusted Brand winners in the Southern Cross family include Southern Cross Travel Insurance and Southern Cross Life Insurance.
Jo McCauley, CEO for 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 is resonating with Southern Cross Health Insurance members and the wider market, enabling New Zealanders to choose a trusted brand to protect their loved ones.
Highly commended Southern Cross Pet Insurance now protects more than 65,000 pets.
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.”
Southern Cross Pet Insurance also contributes to organisations doing great work in their communities. It is a cornerstone partner to Pet Refuge; supporting pets from homes affected by domestic violence and is a proud sponsor of the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
