Travel delays trigger $50 voucher under new Southern Cross policy

Southern Cross says more than 11,400 people lodged insurance claims in relation to travel delays in the three years to April, and it's launching a new policy benefit to support people facing this "real travel pain point".

It has launched what it says is an Australasian first benefit to help travellers when they are facing flight delays of two hours or more.

People with eligible international comprehensive travel insurance policies purchased after tomorrow will receive a $50 voucher for things like Uber, Woolworths or TripGift when their flight is delayed two or more hours.

"No one starts a holiday expecting to sleep at the airport, miss a connection or spend hours wondering what on earth to do next and that's exactly when good support matters most," Southern Cross Travel Insurance chief executive Carole Tokody said.

"We know a delay can take the fun out of a trip pretty quickly. If we can help take some of the stress, cost, and uncertainty out of that moment, that's care people can actually feel."

She said delays were an increasing problem.

"I moved across to New Zealand from Australia and the uptick in weather or environmental impacts is increasing - one in eight to 10 flights these days is delayed."

She said the United States was responsible for 10 percent of claims, but with an average claim paid of $1600.

Another 13 percent of all SCTI customer delays occurred in Australia, with an average claim of $1060.

An additional 12 percent of claims were made for delays relating to incidents in New Zealand, affecting travellers before they even leave the country or when they try to arrive home.

Tokody said when flights were delayed or cancelled, the airline had responsibilities to travellers.

"Normally they have to put you on a flight or get you on the next flight. It does sit within their remit that they have to honour what they sold to you. It's just the inconvenience. Sometimes they may offer things but a lot of the times they don't."

To access the benefit, travellers must register their flight details at least 24 hours in advance of scheduled departure. If a qualifying delay occurs, support is triggered automatically and customers are notified by SMS and email, so they can choose the option that best suits what they need in that moment.