Personal Accident & Driver Cover
Lump sum and weekly benefit cover for truck drivers injured or killed in work-related accidents, topping up ACC where the scheme has gaps.
✓ What It Covers
- ✓Accidental death benefit — lump sum
- ✓Permanent total disablement — lump sum
- ✓Temporary total disablement — weekly benefit
- ✓Fractures and defined injuries — scheduled benefit
- ✓Hospital stay benefit
- ✓ACC top-up to full income replacement
✗ What It Excludes
- ✗Pre-existing medical conditions
- ✗Illness not caused by accident
- ✗Self-inflicted injury
- ✗Incidents under influence of alcohol/drugs
Truck driving is one of the more physically demanding and accident-exposed occupations in this country. Long hours, fatigue, difficult road conditions, and the physical demands of loading, unloading, and vehicle operations all create injury risk. Personal accident insurance provides financial security when things go wrong.
The ACC gap
ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) provides no-fault coverage for work-related injuries — but ACC does not cover everything. The weekly compensation benefit is capped at 80% of earnings up to approximately $2,600/week (2025 level). If you're earning above this threshold, or if your injury results in permanent impairment, ACC's compensation may be significantly less than your actual financial loss.
Personal accident insurance bridges these gaps:
A lump sum payment for death or permanent total disablement — this pays your family or you directly, regardless of ACC entitlement. For many owner-operators, this is the difference between the family losing the house and being able to manage the transition.
A weekly income top-up — paid in addition to ACC compensation to ensure full income replacement during recovery. The combined ACC + personal accident weekly benefit can be structured to equal your actual weekly net income.
Scheduled injury benefits — fixed lump sums for specific injuries (broken arm: $X, broken leg: $Y). These are paid in addition to ACC and recognise the specific financial impact of common transport injuries.
Employer obligations
If you employ drivers, you have obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to take all practicable steps to ensure their safety. Personal accident cover for your drivers is part of a comprehensive risk management programme — and it demonstrates to your drivers and their families that you've thought beyond minimum legal requirements.
Driver fatigue and occupational health
The transport industry has a well-documented fatigue problem. Long distances, night driving, irregular hours, and time pressure create conditions where accidents become more likely. Driver personal accident cover is the insurance safety net — but the primary focus should be on fatigue management, route planning, and driver wellness programmes that reduce the likelihood of incidents in the first place.
How cab personal effects interacts with personal accident
Gallagher NZ's HGV programme includes cab personal effects cover as part of the package — covering the driver's personal belongings kept in the cab. This is distinct from personal accident insurance (which covers the person, not their belongings) but is another element of comprehensive driver protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does personal accident insurance pay on top of ACC?
Yes — personal accident insurance is designed to work alongside ACC, not replace it. The ACC weekly compensation and your personal accident weekly benefit are both paid, up to the combined limit in your policy.
Does my driver need their own personal accident policy, or does the employer's policy cover them?
Employers can take out group personal accident policies covering all employees as a condition of employment — this is common in the transport sector. The employer pays the premium, and the driver is covered while working. Drivers can also take out their own policies for additional coverage.
As an owner-operator, do I still need personal accident cover?
Absolutely. As an owner-operator, there's no employer providing a group policy — and no employment income to return to if you're unable to drive. Personal accident and income protection are critical for self-employed truckies.
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