OrbitProtect
OrbitProtect is a Christchurch-based New Zealand insurance provider, founded in 2005, that sells specialised health and travel insurance plans to inbound international students, working holiday visa holders, seasonal workers, non-residents, and Parent Boost visitors, distributed via direct online sales, agent networks, and affiliates.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersChristchurch, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What OrbitProtect does
OrbitProtect is a Christchurch, New Zealand-based insurance provider founded in 2005 that specialises in health and travel insurance for inbound visitors to New Zealand, including international students, working holiday visa holders, Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) and seasonal workers, non-resident workers and their families (Experience NZ), and Parent Boost Visitor Visa holders. The company sells five core insurance plans — International Student, Working Holiday, Experience NZ, RSE Protect/Seasonal Worker, and Parent Boost — typically structured in Prime and Lite tiers with optional coverage for pre-existing conditions, personal belongings, and travel disruption. A distinguishing technical asset is the OrbitPay Card, an eftpos-supported swipe card introduced in 2011 that enables policyholders to access approved medical centres and pharmacies without upfront payment, with monthly direct settlement to providers; the company also operates an online claims portal, an I-CERT agent/producer management system, and an affiliate programme platform.
OrbitProtect generates revenue primarily through insurance premiums (one-time or periodic, depending on policy duration) and pays commission to its distribution partners. It runs a three-channel go-to-market: direct-to-consumer online sales via the quoting.orbitprotect.com portal, a commissioned agent/producer network comprising NZ schools, education agencies, and financial advisors, and an affiliate programme for travel bloggers and website owners. A network of approved medical providers who accept the OrbitPay Card adds a fourth, service-delivery channel that reduces friction for policyholders.
Since 2022, OrbitProtect has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of nib nz holdings limited, part of the publicly listed nib Group that provides health insurance to over 1.9 million Australian and New Zealand residents. From 1 March 2024, policies have been underwritten and issued by nib nz limited rather than Orbit Protect Ltd, formalising the regulatory and capital relationship with the parent. The company is headquartered in Christchurch with 11–50 employees and serves the New Zealand market exclusively.
OrbitProtect firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OrbitProtect
- Legal name
- OrbitProtect Ltd
- Website
- https://orbitprotect.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- OrbitProtect is a Christchurch-based New Zealand insurance provider, founded in 2005, that sells specialised health and travel insurance plans to inbound international students, working holiday visa holders, seasonal workers, non-residents, and Parent Boost visitors, distributed via direct online sales, agent networks, and affiliates.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where OrbitProtect is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Christchurch
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
OrbitProtect business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Insurance Premiums: OrbitProtect generates revenue through insurance premium payments from policyholders. Customers purchase travel and health insurance policies with premiums based on plan type, duration, and coverage level. Policies include International Student, Working Holiday, Experience NZ, Seasonal Worker/RSE, and Parent Boost plans.
- Agent/Producer Commissions: OrbitProtect compensates agents and producers with agreed commission rates for selling OrbitProtect insurance products to their customers or clients.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Plan tiers vary by product line - Prime and Lite versions available for some plans |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
OrbitProtect product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OrbitProtect underwrites and distributes specialised health and travel insurance for non-residents visiting or moving to New Zealand on student, working holiday, work, seasonal/RSE, and parent visitor visas. Coverage includes medical treatment, hospital stays, emergency dental, medical evacuation, repatriation, and optional add-ons for pre-existing conditions, personal belongings, and travel disruption. The OrbitPay Card provides claims-free direct settlement at approved New Zealand medical providers.
Product overview
OrbitProtect is a New Zealand-based travel and health insurance provider offering a portfolio of specialized insurance products for visitors to New Zealand, including international students, working holiday holders, seasonal workers, and family members. The product lineup consists of five core insurance plans (International Student, Working Holiday, Experience NZ, RSE Protect/Seasonal Worker, and Parent Boost Insurance), supplemented by the OrbitPay Card system for direct medical provider payments and online platforms for claims management, agent/producer management, and affiliate distribution. The company operates as part of the nib Group following acquisition in 2022 and was originally established in 2005.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use OrbitProtect
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
OrbitProtect technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
OrbitProtect partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
OrbitProtect competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GeoBlue: Provider of international travel health insurance for students, travellers, and expatriates; overlaps with OrbitProtect on inbound visitor and international student medical cover globally.
- World Nomads: Specialist travel insurance provider targeting backpackers, working holiday makers, and adventure travellers globally; comparable on the working-holiday and visitor traveller customer base that OrbitProtect serves in NZ.
- Pacific International Insurance: NZ-focused insurer offering travel and seasonal worker insurance products, including cover for RSE workers; directly comparable on the seasonal worker and visitor insurance niche OrbitProtect serves.
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance: One of the largest NZ-based travel insurance providers, directly competing with OrbitProtect for the same inbound visitor and domestic traveller segments; comparable product breadth across single-trip, annual, and visitor plans.
- IMG Global Medical Insurance: Provider of international medical insurance products for students, travellers, and expatriates; directly comparable to OrbitProtect's medical-coverage-led visitor insurance proposition across inbound traveller segments.
Broad incumbents
- Allianz Care: Global health and travel insurer offering international health and visitor insurance plans; competes with OrbitProtect in the inbound international student and expatriate segments at scale across multiple geographies.
- Cigna Global Health: Worldwide health insurer providing individual and group international health insurance including travel medical cover; overlaps with OrbitProtect's student, worker, and visitor segments via its global product suite.
Emerging players
- SafetyWing: Digital-first insurtech offering Nomad Insurance aimed at remote workers, travellers, and digital nomads; emerging competitor in the international traveller insurance category with comparable visitor/traveller target audience.
Others
- nib NZ: Direct parent and underwriter of OrbitProtect's policies since March 2024; nib NZ provides the underlying health insurance product, while OrbitProtect serves as the specialist visitor-inbound distribution brand.
Regional players
- AA Insurance New Zealand: Major NZ general insurer offering travel insurance among other personal lines; competes for the same NZ-based buyers of visitor and travel cover, though from a broader product portfolio.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
OrbitProtect social profiles
Digital presenceOrbitProtect financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OrbitProtect leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
OrbitProtect funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OrbitProtect M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OrbitProtect
What does OrbitProtect do?
OrbitProtect underwrites and distributes specialised health and travel insurance for non-residents visiting or moving to New Zealand on student, working holiday, work, seasonal/RSE, and parent visitor visas. Coverage includes medical treatment, hospital stays, emergency dental, medical evacuation, repatriation, and optional add-ons for pre-existing conditions, personal belongings, and travel disruption. The OrbitPay Card provides claims-free direct settlement at approved New Zealand medical providers.
Is OrbitProtect a public or private company?
OrbitProtect is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was OrbitProtect founded?
OrbitProtect was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is OrbitProtect based?
OrbitProtect is headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does OrbitProtect make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Insurance Premiums are the primary driver. The others are agent/Producer Commissions.
Who are OrbitProtect's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GeoBlue, World Nomads, Pacific International Insurance, Southern Cross Travel Insurance and IMG Global Medical Insurance. Broad incumbents are Allianz Care and Cigna Global Health. SafetyWing is listed as an emerging player. nib NZ is listed as an others. AA Insurance New Zealand is listed as a regional player.
Does OrbitProtect have an API?
No public API is recorded for OrbitProtect.