ACC CoverPlus Extra: What Screen Crew Should Know

If you’re self-employed in the screen industry, you’re automatically on ACC CoverPlus. For many crew, that works fine. But if you contract production to production, invoice through your own company, or have income that swings significantly year to year, it’s worth knowing there’s another option: CoverPlus Extra (CPX).

Here’s what it means in practical terms for freelance crew.

The Standard Model: ACC CoverPlus

Under standard CoverPlus:

• Levies are based on your previous year’s taxable income
• Your industry risk classification determines your levy rate
• If injured, ACC generally pays up to 80% of last year’s income
• You must prove actual loss of earnings

This system works well if your income is stable and predictable. However, screen work rarely is. Income can spike during a busy production year and drop sharply when projects stall or funding shifts.

What Is CoverPlus Extra?

CoverPlus Extra allows you to agree in advance on a fixed level of cover. If you’re injured and unable to work, ACC pays the agreed amount without reassessing your income at claim time. Levies are based on that agreed figure rather than fluctuating annual earnings.

CPX is not automatically cheaper. The goal is not simply to reduce levies, but to create more certainty and alignment with how freelance screen work actually operates.

The Pros for Screen Crew

Income Fluctuations

One year you may be fully booked across features and TVCs. The next year may involve development work or gaps between contracts. With CPX, your cover is based on what you locked in, not what you happened to earn last year. If income drops before an injury, you’re still covered at the agreed level.

No Need to Prove “Loss of Earnings”

Under standard CoverPlus, you must show you’ve lost income. If you’re between productions when injured, or if your company continues to invoice while you recover, this can complicate matters. CPX pays the agreed amount without reassessing annual income.

Business Still Running

If you operate through a company and it continues generating income while you recover, standard CoverPlus may reduce your compensation. CPX pays the agreed amount regardless of how the business performs during your recovery.

Fewer Surprises

Because CPX does not rely on year-end income reassessment, there is less risk of a clawback if your income later rebounds. For contractors with variable billing cycles, that predictability can be valuable.

The Cons to Consider

It Requires Annual Review

CPX is not “set and forget.” If you lock in $70,000 of cover and your income later rises significantly, you must update your agreed level. Otherwise, you may be under-covered. Regular review is essential.

Upfront Levy Payments

CPX levies are typically paid in advance. For crew navigating gaps between productions, timing and cash flow matter.

Accidents Only

Like all ACC cover, CPX applies to accidents only. It does not cover illness. Conditions such as cancer, heart disease or long-term health issues fall outside ACC. Many self-employed crew review ACC alongside private income protection to ensure broader protection.

Death Benefits Are Linked to Cover Level

ACC accidental death benefits are tied to your declared cover amount. Lowering your ACC cover to reduce levies also reduces family benefits in the event of accidental death.

When Standard CoverPlus May Be Better

Standard CoverPlus may suit you if:

• Your income is low and relatively stable
• You’re early in your career
• You’re winding down
• Your income is rapidly increasing year to year

In these situations, automatic adjustments may be simpler and more appropriate.

When It’s Worth Reviewing CPX

• Your income fluctuates by more than 20% year to year
• You invoice through a company
• Your business can continue earning without you
• You already hold private income protection insurance and want your ACC structure to complement it

Final Thoughts

CoverPlus Extra is not about replacing ACC or simply paying less. It’s about structuring protection in a way that reflects how freelance screen work actually functions.

For some crew, CPX provides greater certainty and cleaner claim outcomes. For others, standard CoverPlus remains the right fit. The key is understanding how your ACC settings align with your income pattern, business structure and personal risk profile.

If your work model has changed in recent years, it may be worth reviewing your ACC structure to ensure it reflects your current reality.

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