Drop In Costs For International Students

13 January 2005
News release

Drop In Costs For International Students

With the 2005 school year approaching, Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has announced a substantial reduction in premium rates for international students studying in New Zealand.

From 17 January 2005, SCTI will charge international students $456 for an annual premium, down from $599. In addition the students will receive enhanced and additional benefits to their policy.

Southern Cross Travel Insurance General Manager, Craig Morrison said, “In the year since the Government made health insurance compulsory for international students, we have looked more closely at health care costs, inflation and current international student claim trends, versus premiums.

“This has allowed us to review and revise our International Student Insurance premiums.

“Our aim is to provide international students with the most cost effective, comprehensive policy possible throughout their stay here in New Zealand.

“And with the revised premiums we are offering, we believe if international students shop-around they will be hard pressed to find better value,” said Mr Morrison

In addition to shrinking premiums SCTI have increased benefits for students in areas highlighted as growing concerns both in New Zealand and overseas. Some of these include:

- Increased cover for mental health medical expenses.
- Increased cover for emergency dental treatment.
- Terrorism coverage including medical and evacuation expenses up to $100,000.
- Changes to the terms regarding long term unexpected chronic medical conditions.
- Cover for chest x-rays for New Zealand immigration screening.
- Cover for contraception - with a capped limit of $50 per year.
- Temporary cover for up to 90 days in the student’s home country.

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Editors Notes:

Southern Cross Travel Insurance has been in the international student insurance market for over 10 years. It is a subsidiary of the Southern Cross Health Trust and is operated entirely separately from the Southern Cross Medical Care Society.

ENDS

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