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MyClaimWorth
★ New Zealand · whiplash

Whiplash claim values
in New Zealand.

By Reviewed by Abd Shanti, Founder9 min read

Neck strain from rear-impact and similar collisions. Bands on this page show typical settlement values for whiplash cases across the relevant severity tiers; each names its source or is marked as a MyClaimWorth estimate. The position within a band depends on facts the page can't see: severity, prognosis, recovery time, the strength of medical evidence, and any percentage of fault attributed to the claimant under New Zealand's comparative-fault rule.

★ typical band · NZ
Treatment cover only
Minor whiplash (no permanent impairment)
ACC, no lump sum below 10% impairment
★ statute of limitations
Time limits for claim and review actions vary by entitlement

Accident Compensation Act 2001

Claims for cover should be lodged as soon as practicable. Reviews of decisions must be lodged within 3 months. Common-law residual claims follow Limitation Act 2010.

★ fault allocation
No-fault, fault is not a relevant consideration for cover

ACC pays regardless of fault. Outside ACC scope (rare), Limitation Act 2010 contributory-negligence rules apply to surviving common-law claims.

★ caps that bear on this injury

What caps recovery.

Statutory caps and ceilings that apply to whiplash damages in New Zealand.

★ NZ · procedural pathway

From injury to settlement.

The steps a whiplash claim moves through under New Zealand law, from medical stability to settlement.

  1. 1
    Lodge ACC claim

    A treating medical practitioner lodges the claim. Most personal-injury claims are accepted automatically.

  2. 2
    Cover decision

    ACC determines whether the injury falls within cover. Treatment is generally provided pending the decision.

  3. 3
    Entitlements

    Once cover is confirmed, ACC processes weekly compensation, treatment, rehabilitation, and lump-sum entitlements as they accrue.

  4. 4
    Review

    Claimant can seek a review of any ACC decision within 3 months. Reviews are heard by an independent reviewer.

  5. 5
    Appeal

    A review decision can be appealed to the District Court. Further appeals to High Court and beyond on points of law.

★ whiplash bands · all 15 jurisdictions

Compare to other countries.

How this injury values across the other jurisdictions on the site. Click any country to read the deeper context.

JurisdictionBand
United States$10,000 to $40,000MyClaimWorth estimate
United Kingdom£8,640 to £24,990MyClaimWorth estimate
Ireland€12,000 to €23,000Personal Injuries Guidelines: moderate neck injuries
CanadaC$15,000 to C$70,000MyClaimWorth estimate
AustraliaAU$15,000 to AU$50,000MyClaimWorth estimate
Spain€12,000 to €25,000MyClaimWorth estimate
Italy€10,000 to €20,000MyClaimWorth estimate
Germany€8,000 to €18,000MyClaimWorth estimate
France€8,000 to €15,000MyClaimWorth estimate
New Zealand· you are hereTreatment cover onlyACC, no lump sum below 10% impairment
SingaporeS$10,000 to S$25,000MyClaimWorth estimate
Hong KongHK$80,000 to HK$200,000MyClaimWorth estimate
Japan¥2,500,000 to ¥3,500,000MyClaimWorth estimate
South Korea₩15,000,000 to ₩50,000,000MyClaimWorth estimate
TaiwanNT$200,000 to NT$800,000MyClaimWorth estimate
★ NZ · whiplash · frequently asked

Common questions.

Each answer stands on its own and draws on the documents named on this page.

★ all of NZ
Back to New Zealand

All injury bands, statutes, caps, and procedural pathway for New Zealand.

★ all 15 countries
Whiplash · everywhere

Cross-jurisdiction comparison of whiplash bands.

★ the working
How we derive bands

Per-jurisdiction methodology, estimates, and known limits.

★ editorial note

Numbers on this page are starting points, not quotes for any specific case. For representation, consult a solicitor or attorney qualified in New Zealand. See /methodology for how each band is derived, /sources for the standing authority list, and /disclaimer for the scope statement.