This information is based on the new NSW CTP scheme, which began 1 December 2017. The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) continues to provide information about claims already made before that date under the old scheme.
Anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident is covered by the NSW CTP scheme and can submit a claim. This includes drivers and passengers, motorcycle riders and passengers, cyclists and pedestrians.
After a motor accident, there are two types of claim available:
There are three types of payment:
There are two types of damages claim:
Information on eligibilty to claim for benefits and damages is set out under Entitlements.
Injured parties must call the Police Assistance Line 131 444 within 28 days of the accident. Police will provide an event number for the insurer’s records.
There are fixed deadlines to submit a CTP claim for benefits:
1. As soon as possible, visit a GP for medical treatment and request a certificate of fitness for work. Insurers can approve early treatment (one GP visit and two treatment sessions, such as physiotherapy) whether or not you later put in a full claim.
2. Report the accident to the police and get an event number. If you cannot provide the insurer with an event number, you may be asked for additional information (such as photographs of the accident and hospital discharge summaries).
3. Directly notify the insurer of the at-fault vehicle or use SIRA’s CTP Connect to begin the claims process. You must attempt to find out the registration plate number of the at-fault vehicle before making a claim.
4. Within 3 months, make a full claim with the insurer of the at-fault vehicle (if more than one vehicle was involved) or the insurer of the vehicle (if the accident was caused by only one vehicle) by lodging these two forms:
5. To claim for any funeral expenses, lodge with the insurer of the at-fault vehicle:
6. The insurer must make a decision about your claim:
If you disagree with the insurer’s decision, you can apply for an Internal Review.
7. Claimants work with the insurer to create a recovery plan. They have to comply with their recovery plan to continue to receive weekly payments. For example, you may need to organise retraining, return to work support or attend a progress review. You have to inform the insurer about any change of circumstances, for example, by providing an updated certificate of fitness to work.
8. After 52 weeks of payments, claimants are allowed to request further treatment for threshold injuries.
Medical treatment and care
Within 28 days of accident call Police Assistance Line 131 444
Claim within 3 months, or within 28 days of accident for early weekly payments from that date
Get medical treatment and certificate of fitness from your doctor
Notify insurer directly or use SIRA online claim form
You can request early treatment before making a full claim
For full claim, give the insurer Application for personal injury benefits and Certificate of fitness from doctor
Insurer must decide:
If you disagree with decision, apply to the insurer for Internal Review
Comply with recovery plan to continue to receive payments, eg, retraining, return to work support, attend progress review
Tell insurer if any circumstances change, eg, provide updated certificate of fitness
A claim for damages can be submitted up to 3 years after a motor accident.
1. To make a claim for damages, lodge these documents with the insurer:
2. Claimants must attend an interview and undergo a clinical examination. The medical assessor will review all available medical evidence and prepare a certificate of impairment. The insurer uses this information to make a decision on its liability for damages.
3. Within 3 months, claimants receive the insurer’s decision on its liability for damages for economic (financial) or non-economic loss (pain and suffering etc). If you disagree with this decision, you can apply to the insurer for an Internal Review.
4. Claimants work with the insurer to create a recovery plan. They must comply with their recovery plan to continue to receive weekly payments. For example, you may need to organise retraining, return to work support or attend a progress review. You must also inform the insurer about any change of circumstances, eg, by providing an updated certificate of fitness for work.
5. The insurer must make a reasonable settlement offer once the claimant’s condition improves and it has an indication of the final lump sum amount. The final claim for damages is settled only after approval from the Personal Injury Commission or the lawyer acting on the claimant’s behalf.
Claimants can seek advice at any time on the next steps in making a claim.
Economic loss – Past Income and Future Earning Capacity
Non-economic loss – Pain and Suffering
Claim up to 3 years after the accident
Attend medical interview and clinical exam
Medical assessor reviews evidence and prepares certificate of impairment
Within 3 months, insurer decides on its liability for economic or non-economic loss
If you disagree with decision, request Internal Review
Comply with recovery plan to continue to receive payments, eg, retraining, return to work support, attend progress review
Tell insurer if any circumstances change, eg, provide updated certificate of fitness
Insurer makes reasonable settlement offer when claimant condition improves and claim is quantifiable
Damages claim is settled after approval from PIC or lawyer
Information in these tables is intended as a guide and for general information purposes only. It does not take into account your specific needs, objectives or circumstances, and is not advice. When making decisions about claiming, your insurance or any other matters, you must seek legal advice specific to your situation and you should not rely on these tables. While we use reasonable attempts to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the tables, we make no representation or warranting regarding the tables, to the extent permitted by law.
Where to go to get advice when making a greenslip claim under the NSW CTP scheme. read more
How to handle different types of dispute in the process of making a greenslip claim. read more
Learn about entitlements, making a claim, getting advice and disputing a decision. read more
Your entitlement to benefits and damages under the NSW CTP green slip scheme. read more
Calculate a new policy or compare your existing policy.
Find your cheapest fuel prices. Save your favourite service stations. Set price alerts.
Register to receive rego reminder stickers for your vehicle
CTP insurance protects people not cars
Greenslips on Facebook Greenslips on Instagram Greenslips on LinkedIn