Page updated on: Monday February 5, 2007
New Zealand has a unique form of social insurance known as Accident Compensation. This scheme is administered by a state authority called the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Almost all accidental personal injury suffered by persons in New Zealand is covered by ACC. This "no fault" system provides substantially free medical treatment and rehabilitation to those suffering incapacity that results from an accident. The scheme also provides workers earnings related compensation over the period of incapacity.
In return for this comprehensive accident cover, individuals generally lose the right to take legal proceedings for compensation against those persons who have caused them personal injury. More detail on the scheme can be found on the ACC website.