Short answer: New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) covers overseas visitors for accidental injuries, whatever their nationality. It does not cover illness, travel disruption, emergency travel home or injuries in transit to or from the country. Explera DMC New Zealand asks every group to hold travel insurance that fills those gaps.
ACC is New Zealand's no-fault accident scheme. Agents often hear that "visitors are covered", which is true for an accident, but it is only part of the picture for a client who falls ill or has to fly home early.
What does ACC cover for visitors?
- Accident injuries in New Zealand. ACC says visitors receive the same cover as everyone else if they are injured while visiting, whether or not they are residents.
- Treatment while they are here. ACC helps with the cost of treatment and rehabilitation for a covered injury while the client is in New Zealand.
- No-fault cover. A claim does not depend on who caused the accident, so a client hurt on a walk, a cycle trail or an activity can be treated without a dispute over blame.
What does ACC not cover?
ACC lists the gaps itself and tells visitors to buy travel insurance before they come:
- Illness. A heart condition, an infection or any other illness is not an accident and is not covered.
- Disrupted travel plans. Missed connections, cancelled tours and extra nights are not covered.
- Emergency travel home. Repatriation or a medical escort home is not covered.
- Injuries in transit. Injuries while travelling to or from New Zealand, including getting on or off a plane or a ship, are excluded, as is travel around New Zealand on the ship a visitor arrived on.
- Treatment after the client goes home. Once a visitor leaves New Zealand, ongoing treatment in their home country is not paid by ACC.
Why does this matter for the right to sue?
Because ACC is a no-fault scheme, it replaces the right to sue for compensation for personal injury suffered in New Zealand. Clients from markets where a lawsuit is the usual route after an accident should understand this before they travel. Their own travel insurance is where they look for cover beyond what ACC provides.
What should agents check before departure?
- A policy for every traveller. Ask for proof of travel insurance for each group member, including tour leaders.
- Illness and repatriation. The policy should cover medical treatment for illness and emergency travel home.
- Activities. Make sure the policy covers the activities in the programme, such as jet boating, glacier walks or skiing.
- Pre-existing conditions. Clients should declare them to their insurer, as policies differ.
- Emergency contacts. Carry the insurer's emergency number and policy details on the trip.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We plan group tours and adventure activities for travel agents and tour operators, and our emergency support helps a group leader if a client is hurt or unwell on tour. See our pre-departure client briefing and our guide to questions to ask adventure operators.
FAQ
Does ACC cover tourists in New Zealand? Yes, for accidental injuries suffered in New Zealand. ACC says visitors receive the same accident cover as residents.
Do visitors still need travel insurance? Yes. ACC does not cover illness, disrupted travel plans, emergency travel home or injuries in transit to or from New Zealand, and ACC itself advises visitors to buy travel insurance.
Can an injured visitor sue in New Zealand? ACC is a no-fault scheme that replaces the right to sue for compensation for personal injury suffered in New Zealand. Clients should rely on ACC and their own insurance.
Does ACC pay for treatment after the client goes home? No. ACC helps with treatment while the visitor is in New Zealand. Ongoing treatment in the home country is not paid by ACC.
Is a cruise passenger covered by ACC? ACC excludes injuries in transit to or from New Zealand, including getting on or off a ship, and travel around New Zealand on the ship a visitor arrived on. Cruise clients should check that their policy covers the voyage.
Sources
- If you're a visitor injured in New Zealand, ACC, checked 20 October 2026
- What we cover, ACC, checked 20 October 2026
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
