The Accident Commission Commission, Fiji (ACCF) conducted an awareness session with members of the Society of Fiji Travel Associates (SOFTA) to create awareness on the Accident Compensation scheme.

The session on September 22 covered the rights, entitlements and obligations under the Accident Compensation Act 2017.

ACCF chief executive officer, Parvez Akbar, highlighted the benefits of the Accident Compensation Scheme for motor vehicle, employment and school accidents, particularly given the challenges that existed prior to the introduction of the scheme by the Fijian Government.

Mr Akbar clarified to SOFTA members the position on ACCF cover for tourists.

The Motor Vehicle Accident Levy covers drivers, passengers and any third party that suffers injury or death arising from a motor vehicle accident, occurring on or after January 1, 2018.

This includes tourists who are victims of motor vehicle accidents. He confirmed that no separate insurance cover was required for injuries or deaths to tourists in Fiji.

Mr Akbar advised that majority of ACCF applicants would not have received compensation under the previous legal framework since it was fault-based compared to ACCF’s no-fault scheme, and there were many more exclusions before SOFTA president Beatrice Nast thanked Mr Akbar for undertaking the awareness session, as a result of which their members had a greater understanding of the Accident Compensation Scheme.

A total of $35.9million in compensation has been paid since January 1, 2018, of which $25,020,500 was for motor vehicle accidents, $10,200,000 for employment accidents and $727,500 for school accidents.

Source: The Accident Compensation Commission, Fiji

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