Whether it’s called ‘Green Slip’ Insurance or ‘CTP’, you need to know what it covers. Why? Because if you own a car, you have to have it. That’s right—everyone in Australia needs to have some kind of Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance before they can get on the roads. And in NSW, that means you’ll need to get a Green Slip.
A Green Slip is a car insurance policy that helps provide compensation for people killed or injured in a motor vehicle accident. Without it, you might be required to pay for an injured person’s medical costs (among other things!) if the accident is your fault. These costs can also be quite high, ranging from thousands to even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Green Slip (or ‘CTP’) Insurance varies from state to state. The big difference in NSW is that drivers need to choose their own Green Slip insurance provider before they register their vehicle. There are currently six licensed insurers who offer green slip insurance policies.1
All Green Slips will give you the same, basic level of protection. However, some insurers will offer additional types of cover and incentives, so it’s always a good idea to check out what’s included in the policy and how much cover you’ll get. Once you’ve purchased your policy, your chosen insurer will then work with Transport for NSW to sort out your car registration.Â
At iSelect, we don’t compare Green Slip car insurance, but when it comes to additional cover, such as Third Party Property, Third Party Fire & Theft, and Comprehensive, we may be able to help. Click here to start comparing from our available policies and providers*.
Generally, there are two different types: either a 6-month or 12-month policy. The only other options are available to motor owners and fleet dealers.2 However, if you drive a historic vehicle, a purpose-built vehicle, or any other limited road access vehicles, you might only be required to get a conditional registration or an unregistered vehicle permit.3
Green Slip Insurance typically covers anybody who gets injured in a road accident, regardless of who was at fault (unless you’re charged with a dangerous driving offence). You’ll usually get to claim up to a year (52 weeks) of the following:4Â
If you find yourself seriously injured after being involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may also be able to claim benefits beyond one year.5
Green Slip insurance is mandatory and there’s a set price range that all insurers follow, but the price can still differ depending on the risk level of a vehicle and its driver. There are a few things that can influence this, including:6Â
Anyone injured by your vehicle is generally covered by your policy. This usually includes the following:7
Green Slips don’t cover the cost of damage made to any vehicles or property that are involved in an accident. For this kind of additional cover, you might consider looking into other insurance types, including Comprehensive, Third-Party Property or Third-Party Fire and Theft.
Yes, Green Slip insurance insures NSW drivers all over Australia no matter where the accident involving your vehicle occurred. However, some states and territories will not cover your medical costs if the accident was your fault.8 This is the case for South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland—although exceptions might be made depending on the severity of your injuries.
If your Green slip expires you need to organise a new one to be able to register your car. If you renew your Green Slip after the due date, make sure you wait until you’re covered before you get on the road or you could be fined.9
You might be able to get a partial refund.10 However, this will depend on your insurer—and even then, it’s usually only when your car becomes unregistered.Â
The registration will have to be cancelled for specific reasons, too.11 This might be because it gets ‘written-off’, which means it’s so damaged that it would cost more to repair than to replace. Or because it gets stolen. Or if you get it scrapped at an auto-wrecker.Â
You can also cancel your car’s registration whenever you want by going to a Roads & Maritime Registry or a Service NSW Centre. However, you’ll want to speak to your insurer and find out if you’re even eligible for a refund in the first place. Typically, they’ll also ask for a letter or receipt that shows when the registration was cancelled.12Â
Honesty is the best policy. When buying a Green slip, it’s important to give accurate information about your vehicle, yourself, and anyone else who might be driving your car. Your insurer will most likely ask for the following information:Â
At iSelect, we can help you compare comprehensive car insurance policies on offer from our range of providers*. Start comparing online here or call our friendly team on 13 19 20.
Sources:
1Â NSW Government | State Insurance Regulatory Authority -Â List of CTP insurers
2Â NSW Government | State Insurance Regulatory Authority -Â What is a Green Slip?Â
3 NSW Government – Apply for conditional vehicle registration
4Â NSW Government | State Insurance Regulatory Authority -Â CTP insurance scheme and interstate accidents
5Â NSW Government | State Insurance Regulatory Authority -Â CTP insurance scheme and interstate accidents
6Â NSW Government | State Insurance Regulatory Authority -Â How Are Prices Set?
7 NSW Government | State Insurance Regulatory Authority -Â What is a Green Slip?
8 NSW Government | State Insurance Regulatory Authority - CTP insurance scheme and interstate accidents
9Â NSW Government | State Insurance Regulatory Authority -Â What is a Green Slip?
10Â NSW Government | State Insurance Regulatory Authority -Â Cancelled CTP RefundsÂ
11Â As above.
12Â As above.