How To Make A Car Insurance Claim In Australia
How To Make A Car Insurance Claim In Australia
Whether you are responsible for the accident or not, lauching an insurance claim for the first time can be daunting. Find out how to make a car insurance claim in Australia
Launching A Car Accident Compensation Claim
Being the victim of a car accident can be an overwhelming and often troubling experience. While you are dealing with damages to both yourself and your property, it can be hard to know where to start with your insurance claim.
‘How do I make a car insurance claim?’ is a question that we hear over and over again after road accidents. In this article, we’ll help those who have been victims of car accidents seek the compensation they are entitled to by taking the steps needed for a successful claim.
If you need more information, call the NSW Compensation Guide on (02) 9011 7929 for a free consultation and informative call. Our expert lawyers are on hand to help handle your car accident compensation case.
Get The Details Of Everyone Involved
Every bit of evidence you can gather after a road accident will help your insurance claim. All parties involved in a road accident should exchange their personal details, including:
- The driver’s insurance details
- The driver’s contact details
- The registration number of the other car
- The contact details of any onlookers or witnesses
In the case that you were a victim of a hit and run accident, you should immediately contact the police with as much information as you can gather, including the description of the vehicle and the location of the incident. If you are unable to obtain enough information for a claim, you should consider filing a claim through the NSW Nominal Defendant Scheme.
Seek Medical Treatment
It’s vital that a professional examines any and all injuries that were sustained due to a road accident. Some injuries take time to appear, so by seeking medical attention early on, you can determine what treatment you require. Not only is this beneficial for your health, it is vital for your claim, as you will need a medical professional to prove your injury claim. For this reason, it’s vital to keep all medical records and certificates as they will be a key component of your claim.
Report Incident To The Police
As soon as possible after the car accident, you should report the incident to the police. If for some reason the incident has not been reported within 28 days, you will have to justify the delay when making your claim, which may be harmful to your chances. When you report the accident to the police, request an ‘event number’ which will be referred to throughout your claim.
Who Are You Claiming Compensation From?
When making a car insurance claim, those who are injured are entitled to receive compensation for their injuries related to the accident. Any party that is injured as a result of a car accident is eligible for road accident compensation, which covers passengers, drivers and pedestrians.
All drivers in NSW are required to hold CTP (Compulsory Third Party) insurance, which compensation claims can be directed to. If you are in a car accident, your claim will be directed towards the other driver’s CTP insurance provider.
Accident Notification Claim
Within 28 days of a car accident, an accident notification claim must be lodged to the negligent driver’s CTP insurance provider. For this claim you may be awarded up to $5,000 in compensation for expenses that may incur over the 6 months following the accident.
Personal Injury Claim
Within 6 months of a car accident, a personal injury claim must be lodged to the negligent driver’s CTP insurance provider. This is for more serious claims with injuries that will cost over $5,000 to treat or where the recovery period is longer than 6 months.
What Are You Eligible For Compensation For?
If your claim is successful, you may be eligible for compensation for the following:
- Medical and hospital expenses
- Loss of income due to injury
- Pain and suffering / Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Home modifications and carer fees
When you are launching an insurance claim it is always a good idea to get the opinion of a lawyer. An experienced injury compensation lawyer could mean more compensation for you, as they know what to look for and how to launch a successful claim.