Accident insurance

Anyone who has an accident or injury in New Zealand – including visitors – is covered by the government’s personal injury scheme known as ACC.

Run by the Accident Compensation Corporation, it covers the full range of personal injuries, whether they happen at home, work, or during sport or other leisure activities. It can also cover personal injury caused by a medical mistake, sexual assault or abuse, and some work-related conditions such as discomfort, pain and injury.

ACC helps pay for medical and treatment fees and rehabilitation costs such as physiotherapy or residential care that are caused by any accident or injury. There may be a part-charge for some treatments, but generally the cost of care following an accident or injury is covered by ACC.

It may also provide up to 80% of your pre-tax weekly income if your injury prevents you from working. In cases where a person is permanently physically impaired, a lump-sum payment may be made by ACC.

However, in return for this public system, you are generally not able to sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured.

For more information about New Zealand’s ACC scheme, see www.acc.co.nz.