Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has partnered with Blink Parametric to launch what it says is an Australian-first real-time flight delay benefit, giving eligible customers access to support during qualifying flight disruptions without lodging a separate claim.
TravelCare Delay Assist will be available from 1 July 2026 for eligible International Comprehensive Single Trip policies. Customers who register their flights will automatically receive an email and SMS notification if a flight is delayed by two hours or more, along with the choice of a $40 digital voucher for Uber, TripGift or Woolworths.
New technology aims to reduce travel disruption
The benefit uses Blink Parametric’s real-time flight monitoring technology to identify qualifying delays and proactively contact travellers while they are on their journey.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance CEO Carole Tokody said the initiative reflected changing customer expectations around travel insurance.
“Travel disruption is one of the clearest examples of where customers want something simple and useful to alleviate stress. If we can take some of the sting out of those inconvenient moments, then we’re doing our job,” Tokody said.
“TravelCare Delay Assist is a simple, useful benefit that reflects where travel insurance is heading. It’s more proactive, more responsive and more connected to the real experience of travel.”
Delays continue to impact Australian travellers
SCTI said it processed 4,280 Australian delay-related claims between 2023 and 2025, paying more than A$5 million over the three-year period. While the number of claims declined, the average claim value increased by 22%, rising from $1,045 in 2023 to $1,282 in 2025.
Indonesia accounted for the highest proportion of delay-related claims at 17%, followed by the United States (16%), Japan (12%), Italy (11%), the United Kingdom (11%) and Thailand (9%). The United States also generated the highest total claim costs, exceeding $740,000.
Blink Parametric Director of Strategic Accounts Perry McShane said the partnership highlighted how technology could improve the travel insurance experience.
“SCTI is taking the lead in the Australasian insurance category by delivering a real-time benefit that can be embedded directly into the customer journey,” McShane said.
