Changes to Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) in South Australia will impact on everyone who currently has a claim or a potential claim. It is important that you understand what is happening, how it may impact you, and that you know your legal rights.

What is CTP?

Anyone who registers a motor vehicle in South Australia must also take out CTP. It exists to compensate injured victims of road accidents where the accident is caused by the driver. It provides compensation and possibly ongoing care or treatment for injuries. In other words it’s a public safety net to ensure that victims won’t be left high and dry after being injured in an accident that was not their fault.

Changes to CTP insurer

The Motor Accident Commission (MAC) has for many years been the CTP insurance provider, with all of its work being outsourced to Allianz Australia.  But this changed as of 1 July 2016.

There are now 4 private insurers who will operate the CTP scheme:

• Allianz Australia
• AAMI
• QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd
• SGIC

To ensure uniformity, all insurers are required to provide the same insurance at the same price. It won’t be necessary for motor vehicle owners to choose a CTP insurer – one will be allocated.

Notification of change

Recently, Allianz Australia wrote letters to every person with a current CTP claim. The letter advised of the change to insurers as of 1 July 2016.

It also advised that this change would have no impact on existing claims and that claims would continue to be processed in the same way.

However, there may be a few issues that arise because of the change. If you have a CTP claim, or a potential claim, you should be fully aware of the impact of the legislation.

Will it affect you?

Significant changes were made to CTP from 1 July 2013, which required stricter assessments of injuries and restricted the circumstances under which compensation was payable. The aim was to reduce skyrocketing premiums and to make the scheme more affordable for all.

If you were injured in an accident prior to 1 July 2013 and haven’t already done so, you should take immediate steps to make a claim. This is because there is a risk that the most recent changes will allow the insurers to reject claims for those older injuries.

What should you do?

If you haven’t yet made a claim for an older injury, you should seek immediate legal advice to protect your rights. In some circumstances it may still be possible to make a claim.

If you currently have a CTP claim and have questions or concerns about the letter that was sent to you, you may wish to get some legal advice to make sure that you are protected or to put your mind at ease.

Websters Lawyers have experienced car accident lawyers who frequently handle cases concerning Adelaide traffic accidents. They also have CTP expertise and are happy to answer any of your questions or concerns. Contact us now for a free, no obligation initial consultation.