What is a CTP claim?
A CTP claim is a type of insurance claim you can make if you’re injured in a car accident. It’s also called a ‘Green Slip’ claim in NSW.
Depending on your situation, your CTP claim may cover:
The exact amount of compensation you receive depends on a few factors, like how badly you’re injured, the state where the accident happened, and who was at fault.
To find out how much you’re entitled to, reach out today for a free consultation.
Can you claim CTP if you’re at fault?
Yes, but it depends on which state you’re in.
For those in NSW, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania, or the Northern Territory, it’s possible to make a CTP claim even if you caused the accident.
However, in Queensland, Western Australia, or South Australia, the CTP claims process is ‘fault-based’. This means you’ll generally need to show that someone else caused (or partly caused) the accident to make a CTP insurance claim.
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Find out if you’re eligible for a CTP claim today.
CTP claim process: 9 steps to success
Once you’ve reported the accident and taken care of your health, there are nine key steps you should take to start your CTP claim and protect your right to compensation.
- Identify your CTP insurer: If you’re in Victoria, WA, the NT or Tasmania, this part is simple: you only have one state CTP insurer and your insurance is included with your vehicle registration fee. But in NSW, SA, the ACT or Queensland, you’ll have bought your own CTP insurance, so check your most recent registration or CTP insurance renewal notice.
- Notify the relevant CTP insurer: If you caused the accident and your state allows at-fault claims, just notify your own CTP insurer. But if someone else caused the accident, make sure to tell their insurer about the crash instead.
- Fill out a CTP claim form: You’ll be asked for details like your personal information, the police event number, the at-fault vehicle’s insurer, a record of your injuries and medical treatment, and your employment history (including any time you’ve taken off work). Make sure to complete your CTP claim form accurately, as errors can lead to significant delays or even a denied claim.
- Lodge your claim: You can usually do this through the insurer’s online portal, or by mail or email. The insurer will reply in a few days, acknowledging that they’ve received your CTP insurance claim and assigning you a claims officer.
- Get your CTP claim assessed: Your claims officer will review all the details of your claim, including any supporting documents or other evidence you’ve provided. As part of this process, they may get in touch with your doctors, physios or other treatment providers. You may also be asked to attend a medical exam organised by the insurer to evaluate your injury and ongoing needs.
- Receive an initial liability decision: Once the claims officer has reviewed your case, you’ll get an ‘initial liability’ decision from the insurer. This outlines two basic things: whether the insurer will accept responsibility (also known as ‘liability’) for the accident, and whether you’re entitled to CTP compensation. If they accept responsibility, you’ll get your medical costs covered while the officer continues looking into your claim. But if the insurer denies responsibility, there are still options available. Speak to one of our specialist CTP claims lawyers as soon as possible, and we’ll take you through the next steps.
- Continuous injury assessments: To see how your recovery is going, the insurer will periodically assess your injuries. Your CTP payments may be reduced or even stopped if your injury improves.
- Permanent impairment assessment (if necessary): For serious or permanent injuries, you’ll have to undergo a ‘permanent impairment assessment’. This is an independent medical assessment that looks at the long-term impact of the injury on your life. It’s used to figure out whether you’re entitled to an extra lump sum payout on top of your basic CTP compensation. The rules are different in each state, but you’ll usually need to meet a minimum impairment level to get this additional payout.
- Get a settlement offer: Before this stage, you’ll need to wait for your injury to ‘stabilise’. This means it’s unlikely to get better with more time or treatment. Once that happens, the insurer will calculate your total lump sum compensation. This covers the total impact of the injury, including things like medical treatment, at-home care, lost wages, and your pain and suffering.
When should I speak to a lawyer?
While the CTP claim process may seem straightforward, insurers are always looking for excuses to deny claims or pay less than your injury is worth. And once you’ve accepted the insurer’s offer, there’s no going back — so it’s crucial to get your claim right the first time. That’s where an expert CTP lawyer can really help.
Here are the main situations when you should speak with a lawyer:
Can I get free help with my CTP claim?
Yes, absolutely! We believe every Australian deserves strong legal support, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we offer free consultations for all CTP claims, so it costs you nothing to find out where you stand.
There’s no obligation to keep working with us after this. But if you do, you’re covered by our No Win No Fee guarantee. That means your CTP claim costs nothing upfront, and you won’t pay a cent unless we secure the compensation you deserve.
