Hurt in an accident? How ACC works in New Zealand

If you hurt yourself in an accident in New Zealand, ACC can help. ACC stands for the Accident Compensation Corporation. It gives no-fault cover: it does not matter who was to blame or what you were doing when you got hurt.

Everyone in New Zealand is covered, including visitors. You do not need to call ACC first. Just get your injury seen, and we make the claim for you.

What ACC covers

ACC covers injuries caused by an accident, such as:

• Sprains and strains, for example of the ankle, knee, back or shoulder
• Cuts and other wounds
• Burns
• Broken bones and dislocations

Some injuries that build up over time because of your work can also be covered. ACC does not cover illness, conditions from ageing such as arthritis, most hernias, or pain with no clear injury, like waking up with a stiff neck.

What happens when you come in

First, get treatment. Our doctors and nurses check your injury, treat it and make the ACC claim for you during the visit, at our Accident & injury clinic. We ask you to agree to the claim before we send it.

To make the claim, we need:

• Your full name, date of birth and postal address
• Your NHI number if you know it, and your mobile number
• When and where it happened, and how you got hurt
• Your employer's details, if you were hurt at work

If ACC covers your injury, ACC sends you a text and may send a letter, usually within a week. Simple claims are often decided the same day. Your claim number is in the text or letter. Give it to anyone who treats the injury, such as a physio. You can manage your claim online with MyACC.

You can make a claim up to 12 months after the injury. If ACC does not cover your claim, ACC calls you and sends a letter explaining why. You can ask for an independent review within three months, and ACC pays for the review.

Costs and time off work

ACC pays part of the visit and you pay the rest. The amount is different at each clinic, and a Community Services Card can lower the cost. At our clinic, ACC injury follow-ups are generally free for eligible patients. Our Fees page has our prices.

ACC usually helps pay for an X-ray you need because of the accident, but you may pay part of it. We can refer you for an X-ray nearby. You can also see a physio without a doctor's referral.

If you cannot work

The doctor can give you a medical certificate with your claim, for up to 14 days at first. If you were working when you were hurt, ACC's weekly compensation can pay up to 80% of what you earned, usually from day 8 after the injury. It does not start by itself: apply in MyACC or by phoning ACC.

• Hurt at work: your employer pays 80% of your usual pay for your first week off work.
• Hurt outside work: you may need to use sick leave or annual leave for the first week.
• If you were hurt at work, check with your employer first. Some employers manage work injury claims themselves.

Once your claim is accepted, ACC may also help with things like transport to appointments, help at home and crutches. Ask ACC before you arrange these.

Visiting New Zealand?

Visitors get the same ACC cover for accidents in New Zealand. But you still need travel insurance. ACC does not pay for illness, changed travel plans, getting home, or treatment after you leave.

ACC also does not cover injuries while you travel to or from New Zealand, including getting on or off the plane or on the airbridge.

When it is an emergency

Call 111 straight away for a possible head, neck or back injury, heavy bleeding, a bone through the skin, or if someone is unconscious. Not sure? Call Healthline free on 0800 611 116. For questions about your claim, call ACC on 0800 101 996, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. ACC can arrange an interpreter.

Most injury visits take 20 to 30 minutes. Walk in any weekday, no appointment needed.

Hurt yourself? Walk in any weekday, or call us on (09) 256 8655. See Walk in & appointments for how to find us.