‘You’re not invincible because you’re on holiday’
There’s nothing like escaping the New Zealand winter to find some sun but we’re encouraging Kiwis to take a moment to ensure their holiday is not ruined by a preventable injury.
Last year, we accepted 5,560 claims for New Zealanders injured while overseas.
This was a 570 per cent increase from 2021 due to the border being closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, ACC accepted 964 claims for New Zealanders injured while overseas.
ACC Injury Prevention Leader Kirsten Malpas says everyone deserves a hard-earned break but people should use common sense to stay safe.
“The last thing you want on your holiday is to end up in hospital with a serious injury,” she says.
“It’s good to give new experiences a go when we’re on holiday but we need to stop and think about the risk of injury before we get stuck in.”
When people are in a foreign environment, Kirsten says they may not be aware of the risk factors – like weather, traffic or other local conditions – which may affect the activity they’re doing.
“It may be tempting to let your guard down because you’re relaxed and in holiday mode. But it’s important to remember to have a ‘hmmm’ and do things the safest way.
“You’re not invincible just because you’re on holiday.”
The importance of travel insurance
The 55 to 69 age group is most at risk, having over 30 per cent of total claims from injuries overseas in 2022.
The most common parts of the body injured were knees, lower back and ankles, while 120 people suffered a concussion.
The two leading activities prior to accident were recreation/sporting activity and walking/running.
Kirsten says the first thing New Zealanders should do after booking a trip abroad is to confirm their travel insurance.
“If you get injured overseas, the medical bills for a stay at hospital and your treatment can be significant and they’re not covered by ACC, so having travel insurance is so important.”
We’re here to help
Generally, we’ll cover a person’s injury if they’re out of the country for less than six months.
“If you get injured overseas and need help with your recovery once back in New Zealand, ACC will be here to help you,” Kirsten says.
“We advise people to get in touch with their local GP as soon as they’re home, and they’ll make a claim on your behalf to have the costs relating to your injury covered.
“But it’s better if you don’t get hurt in the first place, and the best way to avoid that is to take some time to think through risks, then do things the safest way.”
Overseas injuries – by the numbers
- In 2022, ACC accepted 5,560 claims for New Zealanders injured while overseas. These injuries came at a cost of $32 million to help people recover.
- This was a 570 percent increase from 2021.
- The 55 to 69 age group had 1,721 injuries overseas, or 31 percent of total claims from injuries overseas, in 2022.
- Females made up 57 percent of overseas injuries, males 43 percent.
- ACC research shows 90 per cent of injuries are predictable and therefore preventable.
