Payment options
There are three payment options available to most members:
Direct debit
Recurring credit card
Invoice (quarterly in advance)
Are you in a work scheme?
You will need to know the details of your work group scheme before choosing a payment option.
The advantages of direct debit
Most members find direct debit the most convenient payment option because it pays your premiums automatically every week, fortnight or month. Once it’s set up, you don’t need to do anything. If you are an individually billed member (not in an employer scheme) paying by direct debit you will also receive a discount of 2.5% off your premium.
If the amount of your direct debit changes, we will always notify you before the transaction happens. Changes to your premium amount usually happen once a year, when your policy is renewed.
How to set up direct debit:
If you are a new member you have three ways to set up your direct debit authority:
- online, when you apply for health insurance
- over the phone, when you apply for health insurance
- by downloading a direct debit authority here ►
complete and sign the form
return it to Southern Cross
We will set up your direct debit in line with the dates you give us on the form.
If you are an existing member or want to pay for Critical Illness insurance by direct debit you will need to send in a completed and signed direct debit authority.
download a direct debit authority here ►
complete and sign the form
return it to Southern Cross
We will set up your direct debit in line with the dates you give us on the form.
What if there’s not enough money in your account?
If there isn’t enough money in your bank account to pay your direct debit, we will let you know that the payment was missed. Then next month we will try and debit the complete outstanding premium. Your bank may charge you for missing a direct debit. It’s important to be aware of your regular payments.
If you miss three months in a row, your direct debit will be cancelled and your policy will be put on hold.
Recurring credit card payments
A recurring credit card payment is a regular payment made using your credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and activa cards.
If you are a new member you have three ways to set up your recurring credit card authority:
- online, when you apply for health insurance
- over the phone, when you apply for health insurance
- by downloading a recurring credit card authority ►
complete and sign the form
return it to Southern Cross
If you are an existing member or you want to pay for Critical Illness insurance using your credit card, you will need to send in a completed and signed recurring credit card authority.
download a recurring credit card authority ►
complete and sign the form
return it to Southern Cross
If the payment fails for any reason (i.e. because your credit limit is exceeded or your account is closed), we will let you know that the payment was missed. Then next month we will try and collect the complete outstanding premium.
If you miss three months in a row, your recurring credit card payment will be cancelled and your policy put on hold.
Invoice
If you choose to be invoiced, we will send you an invoice in advance for your quarterly, six monthly or annual payment. If you don’t pay by the due date of the invoice, the policy will be put on hold until we receive your payment.
Keeping your address details up to date
If you have chosen to receive invoices by mail or we need to send you notification of a missed payment, we will use the mailing address you have given us. Please keep your details up to date. In fact, the most common reason for policies lapsing is that our letter has gone to an old address.
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