I know you all love paying ACC levies....

[strx7]

Personally i'd support idiots driving in unsafe cars, cause then the chances are, WHEN they crash they are more likely to die and therefore they dont cost acc nor us tax payers any more money. If they are driving safer cars then they'll survive the accident but require on going support for the rest of their lives and cost us tax payers and acc more money.

[MAD FX]

My experience of ACC has been all good, it was the hospital that screwed up since they were so busy, gave me a cast instead of surgery but got fixed a week later by a different specialist, ACC still paid though.

Also its the best system currently in use anywhere in the world, don't know why others haven't adopted it, much better than having to sue to get fixed, if you can't afford to sue then you're completely screwed, and lawyers don't get as rich over here. Sure it has issues but it could be so much worse.

Don't get me started on tax here, the increase ACC levies aren't the problem, its the 9 years of a communist government doubling the tax take without telling anyone and giving out vote buying handouts thats the real problem...

[Chelles]

I see that 'we' are all feeding off the media hype that ACC is in trouble financially. Hrmmm I think 'we' all need to settle down a tad and be thankful at least we have a 'no blame' system in place. Oh and perhaps find some facts rather than assuming the opinions of the reporters who often leave out information to sensationalise the 'news'.

I had an a major accident (several years ago a broken back), ACC fixed it, paid comp as they are meant to as per legislation and paid for rehab. I found that if there was a problem is was human error which was sorted with some rational thought, investigation and asking questions. I think you are all a bit to quick to bag the system. The rate of increase in accidents is directly related to the increases in price to fix those people who are injured.

Does anyone remember when the ACC levy went down on car rego three years ago? Probably not too many because perhaps the anger you feel over the increase now is clouding your memory.

Its pretty simple people... if you reduce risk and don't injury yourself or others then ACC levies won't keep rocketing up... simple.

Has anyone here actually gone on read to the ACC website to see what they are entitled to, what to do if things go wrong with your claim and other info that might help you?

I for one am thankful we have ACC because being no blame (unlike normal injury insurance) if I do cause an accident and I'm convicted of dangerous driving at least my body will be fixed even if my car insurance is declined due the conviction.

Seriously people be thankful we're not in the states or aussie where everyone sues each other and it take an age to get the help and compensation you need.

*wait for emotional and angry reactions*

Also its the best system currently in use anywhere in the world, don't know why others haven't adopted it, much better than having to sue to get fixed, if you can't afford to sue then you're completely screwed, and lawyers don't get as rich over here. Sure it has issues but it could be so much worse.

You are so very right. NZ has won acclaim world wide for its ACC system and if the Aussie government do what they say they will Aussie with have a similar system soon(ish)

[fangsport]

I Think I got $10/week.... well I mean I put an extra $10 a week on the student loan, so not better off really, but thats by choice I guess.

Fangsport thats a 50c mixture a week you couldn't afford before, so sounds like you're doing well

Luke , i didn't mention that the 50c bonus was promptly followed by a $100 week pay cut due to reduced working hours, at least that means i don't pay so much ACC levies!!!!

[Adamal]

I can't wait to get an S2000....

[B1NZ]

I see that 'we' are all feeding off the media hype that ACC is in trouble financially. Hrmmm I think 'we' all need to settle down a tad and be thankful at least we have a 'no blame' system in place. Oh and perhaps find some facts rather than assuming the opinions of the reporters who often leave out information to sensationalise the 'news'.

I had an a major accident (several years ago a broken back), ACC fixed it, paid comp as they are meant to as per legislation and paid for rehab. I found that if there was a problem is was human error which was sorted with some rational thought, investigation and asking questions. I think you are all a bit to quick to bag the system. The rate of increase in accidents is directly related to the increases in price to fix those people who are injured.

Does anyone remember when the ACC levy went down on car rego three years ago? Probably not too many because perhaps the anger you feel over the increase now is clouding your memory.

Its pretty simple people... if you reduce risk and don't injury yourself or others then ACC levies won't keep rocketing up... simple.

Has anyone here actually gone on read to the ACC website to see what they are entitled to, what to do if things go wrong with your claim and other info that might help you?

You are so very right. NZ has won acclaim world wide for its ACC system and if the Aussie government do what they say they will Aussie with have a similar system soon(ish)[/quote]

yeah but you have to say that because you are payed by them!:lol:

Every time I seem to need coverage I seem to get locked into a battle with them, last time I had to take them to court to get the basic cover I needed after they tried to say my injury was hereditary(sp?) and declined my application, I had to go to court to get the desicion overturned while my intestines were hanging out my ballsack, even the ACC lawer agreed with me and said something like "I hope you win but it is my job" But I see as you said "Dangerous drivers" and even drunk drivers getting covered no questions asked!

The ACC levy was decreased because someone cottoned onto the fact that they had been creaming us for years, didn't last did it.
Remove cover for anyone injured committing a crime, halve managers salaries and the books might be back in the black

We already pay an ACC levy on our PAYE and motor vehicle registration and god knows what else

[Chelles]

LOL

B1NZ you crack me up.

There are a few 'issues' but seriously you just need to realise that the whole system is governed by legislation and a minister that the whole place has to answer to. ACC has to justify every single thing it does. Because fraud is massive if the scheme said yes to everything with out questions or governance it would be screwed over and those who have genuine problems would get zip. Some times you need to go to court to challenge the legislation that runs the place. Its not a bad thing in the 'big picture' and for the next person who comes down the same street as you. It just sucks that you have to go through the pain and misery in the mean time.

Have a good read of the 'news' section sometime on the website... you all might learn a thing or three.

Anyways... continue with your complaining people... its interesting to see what you all think.

[rolla_fxgt]

Chelles I take it you work for ACC?

Yes its a good system, but its not as great as its made out to be in my opinion.

Like anything it has its flaws, but with health flaws can be very dangerous. I think in some cases ACC is over cautious or slow with getting the information they need, which just costs the system more in the long run. I agree that fraud needs to be watched, but maybe a better place to look at fraud would be all the people who get an initial consult and some physio out of ACC cheap as chips, when really that sore knee has been bugging them for awhile & they were to cheap to fork out $40 for a physio. If they made the first consult with a doctor at full cost to the patient, unless taken in by an ambulance/helicopter, I'm sure that'd save millions. Sure physio is going to part charges soon, but I think a lot of people milk the system at the early stages, not so much at the latter. Sure if someone's been on weekly compo for a couple of years send them off for a 2nd opinion. But if multiple medical professionals say x is the cause and y will fix it, they're probably right. And in my case when my case manager told me it was due to old age (I was 23 at the time), its a blatant case of hoping i'd give up to save them money. Unfortunately for them I knew my rights, and there responsibilities.

A lot of government depts need to realise at the end of the day they're only there because the public say they can be. Govts and they're organs are there only to serve the public, no more, no less. Yeah sure if you piss off your customer its a bit harder for them to change service than say switching from repco to supercheap. But eventually it catches up with you.

Motorists especially car drivers pay a fair whack of the ACC bills, all we ask for is fairness in return, and service with a smile. Look at charging levies based more on risk, if you have a bad driving record, pay higher levies. If you ride a motorbike or scooter, pay more of your share in levies.
And stop paying for criminals who hurt themselves committing a crime to get fixed, demand the money from there family members, or just let them die.

[jakesae101]

i heard of someone that was in a crash acc wouldnt pay out because there acc apointed surgeon or dr said they were fit for work as long as they didnt have to stand sit lie down walk or run well that pretty much rules everything out unless you can float i myself havent had any issues with acc when i had my back injury (from a car crash) but when that happend i think acc levies on rego were around half of what they are now i think its rather bs what if you own 2 cars 2 lots of acc levies for one person ontop of what you pay in paye and what employers have to pay seems like some people may pay 3 or 4 lots of acc levies got my notice for rego renewal 168.46 in levies for a year thats more than what a years rego used to cost a few years back

[pc]

Yay, I have 3 cars. i'll get to pay even more to drive one at a time.

Remove all ACC off registration and put it all on petrol. Then the payment is related to the amount of risk.
I am assuming the longer the time spent driving on the road, the higher the risk of being involved in an incident.

Muppet risk taking drivers are the real problem, remove them and remove the injury incidents.

[Dragger_Dan]

...The rate of increase in accidents is directly related to the increases in price to fix those people who are injured.

Its pretty simple people... if you reduce risk and don't injury yourself or others then ACC levies won't keep rocketing up... simple.

You're right and you're wrong. Instead of "if you reduce risk", try "if we reduce risk". This would requre every single person in the country to suddenly start driving like a saint.

I can go about my daily life being a courtous driver and not taking stupid risks on the road... and I still have to pay for everybody else who takes stupid risks. That's what annoys me about the current system.

[TURCEL]

Yeah another person here who was given the run around from ACC for four months.

Have an over use injury (apparently the worst to have with ACC) and took a week off work to heal up, as was in such pain couldnt drive car or do my job (where I got it from)

They waited ages until I was feeling better then deined my claim becuase I didnt have enough medical evidence.. after seeing a GP, physio, having my first claim for three days off covered... can't really go get medical evidence after I am healed??!?!?! Then wouldn't give me a specialist I could visit to get the evidence. They said If I got a cortazone shot (4 out of 5 people don't feel any better and 1 in 10 have major side effects, so I didnt get it altho it was an option) I would have been covered... FFS.

As far as I see it, I was hurt from work, doing work... and wasn't covered, which is what ACC is there for isn't it? I sure as shit paid for that right.

$&#$% ACC... and the case managers were all $&#$%. Even my boss told the case manager she was a '$&#$% bitch'.

[Chelles]

Yeah another person here who was given the run around from ACC for four months.

Have an over use injury (apparently the worst to have with ACC) and took a week off work to heal up, as was in such pain couldnt drive car or do my job (where I got it from)

They waited ages until I was feeling better then deined my claim becuase I didnt have enough medical evidence.. after seeing a GP, physio, having my first claim for three days off covered... can't really go get medical evidence after I am healed??!?!?! Then wouldn't give me a specialist I could visit to get the evidence. They said If I got a cortazone shot (4 out of 5 people don't feel any better and 1 in 10 have major side effects, so I didnt get it altho it was an option) I would have been covered... FFS.

As far as I see it, I was hurt from work, doing work... and wasn't covered, which is what ACC is there for isn't it? I sure as sh*t paid for that right.

$&#$% ACC... and the case managers were all $&#$%. Even my boss told the case manager she was a '$&#$% bitch'.

Have you requested an official review of your case so you can challenge that? I don't think you have asked the right questions here.
You are entitled to a review if you aren't happy with the outcome. I would challenge that if I was you. (if you need help regarding a review PM me)

I really think some of the declined claims is a lack of knowledge of what you are able to do and what you are entitled to. Ask more questions people!! Do your home work, get an advocate and get what you are entitled to!!

You're right and you're wrong. Instead of "if you reduce risk", try "if we reduce risk". This would requre every single person in the country to suddenly start driving like a saint.

I say bring in compulsory driver training as part of the license system. Something like pro-drive where you get to fang about off the public roads and learn now to pulse brake and avoid obstacles and some real skills. Not just negotiate some basic traffic, do a couple of turns, park and then sent on your merry way to cause havoc. Hrmm I've always said if you teach the masses some real skills we'd be on a winner.
One of my motivations ten years ago to start running track days was to give people a chance to learn car control in a safe place.
Hrmmm Road safety isn't as hard as its made out to be... Hrmmm I might stir at work.

[GTTpower]

I say bring in compulsory driver training as part of the license system. Something like pro-drive where you get to fang about off the public roads and learn now to pulse brake and avoid obstacles and some real skills. Not just negotiate some basic traffic, do a couple of turns, park and then sent on your merry way to cause havoc. Hrmm I've always said if you teach the masses some real skills we'd be on a winner.
One of my motivations ten years ago to start running track days was to give people a chance to learn car control in a safe place.
Hrmmm Road safety isn't as hard as its made out to be... Hrmmm I might stir at work.

Thats a good idea. I remember seeing a Top Gear episode that showed what learner drivers in Sweden have to do to even get a licence. Spin control, wet braking etc..

[Boosted_162]

I say bring in compulsory driver training as part of the license system. Something like pro-drive where you get to fang about off the public roads and learn now to pulse brake and avoid obstacles and some real skills. Not just negotiate some basic traffic, do a couple of turns, park and then sent on your merry way to cause havoc. Hrmm I've always said if you teach the masses some real skills we'd be on a winner.
One of my motivations ten years ago to start running track days was to give people a chance to learn car control in a safe place.
Hrmmm Road safety isn't as hard as its made out to be... Hrmmm I might stir at work.

Thats a good idea. I remember seeing a Top Gear episode that showed what learner drivers in Sweden have to do to even get a licence. Spin control, wet braking etc..

Finland and boy did it look fun!!

[Timmo]

Totally agree about the need for better driver training and licensing requirements....and I just fail to understand how politicians etc come up with all these other schemes when the real solution seems to be staring them in the eye.

It is the same with those stupid LTA ads (i.e. 'Intersections, its your call' or 'Driving, it's in the blood')...yes, they are nicely made, artistic ads...but they totally miss the point. That point is, in my opinion, drivers don't know what is CORRECT. The ads assume that drivers know how to drive properly and safely, but just don't do it for reasons unknown.....as if, simply saying 'drive better' will somehow make it so. Maybe they should change all University courses to a simple advert saying 'be smarter'?

I think the focus for these should shift towards simple education (in the vein of the '2 second rule' ads). Why not simply have an advert outlining how to indicate properly through a roundabout?.....or how to visually check conditions of tyres before a journey etc etc?

It is also interesting the use of road fatalities as the main measure of any success of road safety strategies......as cars get better at protecting their occupants, the number of deaths should reduce (even though the occupants survive, they may have massive injuries which cost $$$$$ for ACC to fix). Reducing the number of CRASHES should be the target

[Chelles]

Timmo you are a genius!! Fantastic to see someone with considered thought and reason. Reducing the number of crashes is obvious to the 'normal people' however, unfortunately the men and woman who run this country don’t seem to get the basics concepts. Ah well… at least most of us here have taken it upon ourselves to ensure we are safer drivers… have we???

With that thought... who here has actually done some practical driver base training (not defensive driving courses) or a member of a Motor Sport NZ club doing autocross’ and trackd events? And do you keep the training updated to ensure your skills are sharp in case of an incident? Or are you like most of the drivers on our roads and think that daily driving is enough?
I am genuinely interested in that one.

Chelles

[TURCEL]

Chelles... its more of a question of do I want to have to go through more of there bullshit for $500? Wasn't really worth it, thats how badly I was treated.

[Dragger_Dan]

Better driver training would be a huge step forward in this country I think, instead of pushing stability control onto us.

http://psyc.queensu.ca/target/chapter07.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation

[Chelles]

Better driver training would be a huge step forward in this country I think, instead of pushing stability control onto us.

Totally agree!!