You are normally covered by ACC if you have a work-related injury or illness, or if you get injured outside of work. The amount of lost earnings compensation you are eligible for depends on your income and cover type. It is important to make an ACC claim as soon as possible so you can receive entitlements. For more information about making a claim and whether you are covered when you are overseas please see How do I make a claim? in the Making a claim section.
Work-related injury and illness
Injuries at work or conditions caused by the job you do, or the environment you work in, should be treated as soon as possible. Your treatment provider will help you complete an ACC claim and send it to us.
If you need time off as a result of the injury, your treatment provider will indicate this on the claim form.
To work out your lost earnings compensation and a rehabilitation plan so you can get back to work, contact your nearest ACC branch or the ACC Inquiry Service Centre as soon as possible.
Cover for non-work injuries
Your levy payment covers you for injuries that happen outside of work, such as during sport or recreational activities, around the home, or on the road. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible to ensure you get the help you are eligible for from ACC.
Your treatment provider will help you complete an ACC form and send it to us. If you need time off as a result of the injury, your treatment provider will indicate this on the claim form.
To work out your lost earnings compensation and a rehabilitation plan so you can get back to work, contact your nearest ACC branch or the ACC Inquiry Service Centre as soon as possible.
Cover while you take time off
You can arrange income replacement cover if you are planning to take four weeks or more off work for any reason, such as travel or study. ACC TimeOut offers an agreed value based on up to 80% of your income before your break.
What does ACC cover me for?
You are covered for:
- fully paid ambulance services and emergency care, including urgent surgery, at a public hospital
- non-urgent surgery (you may need to pay some of the costs)
- subsidised GP/specialist and other medical treatment, such as physiotherapy
- support services, such as home help and childcare, to help you while you recover from your injury
- compensation for lost earnings if you are unable to work for a period of time
- assistance with returning to work
- a tax-free lump sum payment if you are permanently impaired with a serious injury.
If the worst happens, ACC can also provide a funeral grant, survivor’s grant and lost earnings compensation for your family.
Compensation for loss of earnings
If you are unable to work because of an injury, lost earnings payments can help to replace your income while you recover. The amount of lost earnings compensation we pay depends on your chosen cover option:
- ACC CoverPlus offers up to 80% of your taxable income for the most recent financial year (subject to minimums and maximums).
- ACC CoverPlus Extra offers 100% of the amount you have agreed in advance with ACC. This means you will know exactly what you will receive in the event of a claim, with no need to prove lost earnings and no reduction in the compensation you receive.
- ACC TimeOut cover offers up to 80% of an agreed figure based on your income prior to taking a break from work.
If you receive income from your business or from working, the amount of lost earnings compensation you receive may be reduced (unless you chose CoverPlus Extra standard).
No compensation for the first week
Lost earnings compensation is not paid to you for your first week off work after an injury. While employers cover an employee’s first week off as sick leave, you must cover your own first week.
Special conditions for some self-employed when making a claim
If you have not yet submitted a self-employed tax return, we cannot determine your income. Special conditions apply for:
- full-time newly self-employed
- part-time newly self-employed
- mixed income – self-employed and employee.
For more information, see:
Lost earnings compensation when you’re new to self-employment
How do I make a claim?
More information about Making a claim and What support you can get.
Last updated: 15 December 2008