We may not like to think about it in such stark terms, but jumping behind the wheel of a car always carries some risk of being involved in a car accident – whether it’s a minor scrape as you’re backing out of your driveway or a peak-hour rear-ender. In fact, on average, one in seven motor insurance policy-holders makes an insurance claim each year in Australia;1 and, at Youi, around 94% of car insurance claims are for accidental damage.2
But while lodging a car accident claim might be relatively common, what the process involves or requires isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all situation. For instance, there may be additional car insurance considerations for a motor vehicle accident where someone gets injured, compared to accidentally backing into a pole or barrier at the supermarket.
So, what is involved in claiming for a single-vehicle bingle compared to a hit-and-run incident, for example? How do you handle a claim if the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance? Do you always have to pay an excess when you make a car accident claim? And what steps are involved in making a claim for car accident injury compensation?
To help you understand what’s involved in making a motor vehicle accident claim for these types of common car crash scenarios, we’ll explain what type of claim may apply for each, and steer you towards the next steps – whether you need your bumper fixed or require support for an injury.
How car accident claims work for different types of accidents
From minor dings to a multi-car collision that leaves people injured, some car insurance claims require a different approach than others. Here’s what to bear in mind about six common crash scenarios.
Scenario #1: You’re injured in a car accident
Outcome: As well as being unable to work for a while as a result of your injuries, you also have medical bills to pay and want to claim for support and compensation.
Which insurance applies? A car accident injury claim for compensation can typically be made under Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance – although, in some states, it might depend who was at fault for the accident.3
Will there be an excess? Maybe, depending on how the CTP insurance scheme operates where you live. For example, in Queensland, at-fault drivers aren’t typically required to pay an excess when a CTP insurance claim is made against their policy.4 However, in South Australia, if someone makes a car accident personal injury claim and a driver is more than 25% at fault for the accident, that driver is usually required to pay an excess.5
Worth noting: While CTP insurance is mandatory for every registered car in Australia,6 it works slightly differently in different states and territories, depending on the type of CTP scheme that’s in place:3
- At-fault CTP schemes – Some states, such as Western Australia and Queensland, operate at-fault CTP schemes, which means people can only claim if they’re injured in a car accident that wasn’t their fault.
- No-fault CTP schemes – In contrast, other states, including New South Wales and Victoria, operate no-fault CTP schemes, so people can make an accident injury claim regardless of which driver was at fault.3
Take a closer look:
- Injured in a Car Accident in Australia? What to Do and How to Make a Claim
- Car Crash Compensation in Australia Explained
Scenario #2: You hit a pole or barrier in a car park
Outcome: Your own car is damaged.
Which insurance applies? Because the accident was your fault, you’d need to have comprehensive insurance cover in order to claim for the damage to your car.6
Will there be an excess? Yes.7
Worth noting: Before making a claim, you might like to send your insurer photographs of the damage to your car. If it’s only a minor ding or scratch, you might discover that the repairs would cost less than the excess you’d need to pay.7 This may mean it’s more economical to organise the repairs yourself rather than claiming on your car insurance7 – however, it can be a good idea to inform your insurer about the incident regardless.8
Take a closer look: What to Know About Car Park Accidents in Australia
Scenario #3: You back into someone else’s car
Outcome: Both your car and the other vehicle is damaged.
Which insurance applies? To make a claim for the damage to both vehicles, given you’re at fault for the accident, you’d need comprehensive insurance.6 Alternatively, a third party policy would cover damage to the car you’ve backed into, but not damage to your car.6
Will there be an excess? Yes7
Worth noting: If you’re involved in any type of car accident, you’re legally required to stop and exchange details with the other driver.9
If you’ve backed into a parked car, the lawful thing to do is to try to locate the car’s owner, regardless of how minor the damage to the other vehicle might be.10 If you can’t find them, Queensland Police recommends leaving a note under the windscreen wiper with your contact details.10
Take a closer look: How to Handle an At-Fault Car Accident Insurance Claim in Australia
Scenario #4: You’re involved in an accident with another car, the other driver is insured and you’re not at fault
Outcome: Your car’s damaged and it’s determined that you’re not at fault for the accident.
Which insurance applies? Even if the other driver has an insurance policy that covers damage to other people’s cars, you typically can’t lodge a claim directly on their policy with their insurer.8,11 However, if the other driver has made an insurance claim, you can ask them for a claims number before contacting their insurer to tell them you have a claim against their customer.11 Alternatively, if you have comprehensive car insurance cover in place, your own insurer can organise to have the damage to your car repaired.6
Will there be an excess? It depends. If you’re involved in a not-at-fault accident and you make a car insurance claim on your own policy, when you can provide your insurer with all the details they require about the other drivers and vehicles involved, your excess may be waived.12
Worth noting: For the at-fault driver’s insurer to get involved, that driver needs to lodge an insurance claim.8 You can’t force them to do this; however, once you’ve lodged a car accident claim under your own car insurance, your insurer may be able to step in to liaise with the other driver – or their insurer – on your behalf.8
Take a closer look: How to Claim Car Insurance When Not At Fault
Scenario #5: You’re involved in an accident with another car, you’re not at fault and the other driver is uninsured
Outcome: Your car’s damaged and it’s determined that you’re not at fault for the accident.
Which insurance applies? To make an insurance claim for the damage to your car, the vehicle would need to be covered by comprehensive insurance.6
Will there be an excess? It depends. If you can provide your insurer with all the details they require about the other driver involved, your excess may be waived, even if the other driver isn’t insured.12
Worth noting: Generally speaking, it’s comprehensive insurance that covers accidental damage to your car, regardless of who was at fault and whether or not the other driver has insurance.6
However, if you have a Third Party Fire & Theft or Third Party Property Only insurance policy with Youi and you’re involved in an accident where you’re not at fault and the other driver is uninsured, up to $5,000 of accidental damage to your car is covered, provided you can supply the uninsured driver’s details.13
Take a closer look: Not-at-fault Car Accident Without Insurance: What Happens Next?
Scenario #6: You’re involved in a hit-and-run accident
Outcome: Your car is damaged and the other driver has left the scene without giving you their details.
Which insurance applies? To make an insurance claim for the damage to your car, you’d need comprehensive insurance cover.6
Will there be an excess? Probably. Even if it’s determined that the other driver is at fault, if they can’t be found, you’ll likely need to pay the excess if you make an insurance claim.7
Worth noting: If you’re involved in an accident where another driver fails to stop and exchange details, you’re legally required to report the incident to the police, even if no one was injured.14-17
Take a closer look: How to Handle a Hit-and-Run Accident in Australia
Is there a car accident claim time limit?
There might be, depending on the type of car accident claim you’re referring to:
- CTP insurance claims – There is a time limit on these claims, but the exact deadlines vary, depending on where you live. For example, in NSW, car accident compensation claims for injuries must be made within three months of the accident,18 but in Tasmania, people injured in an accident have up to 12 months to make a CTP traffic accident claim.19
- Other car insurance claims – Specific time limits don’t usually apply if, for example, you need to make a comprehensive insurance claim for car accident damage. However, it’s generally recommended to get in touch with your insurer as soon as possible following an incident.20
Take a closer look: How Long After An Accident Can You Claim Car Insurance?
What about car insurance claims that don’t involve accidents?
Not all damage is accidental, which is why some types of car insurance provide cover for other types of damage.6
For example, as well as providing cover for accidental damage to other people’s cars and property, third party fire and theft policies also cover your car for damage caused by fire or if it’s stolen.6
Meanwhile, comprehensive car insurance can cover your car for a range of incidents, such as if it’s stolen, or damaged by a weather event or a fire, in addition to covering for accidental damage – to your car and other people’s.6
Take a closer look:
- Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
- What to Do If Your Car Was in a Flood
- How to Track a Stolen Car – and What to Do if You Find It
How to claim car insurance for car damage with Youi
If you have a car insurance policy with Youi, any type of car insurance claim, including a car crash claim, can be lodged over the phone or anytime online. You’ll just need to provide your policy number and information about the accident or incident.
From there, we use a simple and transparent 5-step process for every claim. This includes providing you with an online tracker so you can keep tabs on your claim, every step of the way.
Take a closer look:
Whether you’re currently dealing with the aftermath of a minor bingle or a more serious collision, or you’re just brushing up on your car accident claim knowledge for the future, hopefully this guide has given you a clearer picture of what the process involves for different types of car accidents.
And, while nobody ever plans to be involved in a crash, having the appropriate level of insurance in place could mean you’re covered if things do go wrong on the road. So, if you’d like to explore whether one of Youi’s car insurance options might be a good fit, consider starting a quote online or giving us a call on 13 9684.
1 Source: Insurance Council of Australia – Motor Insurance Policy Paper: A Roadmap for Reducing Rising Premiums, March 2025
2 Based on Youi internal data.
3 Source: Canstar – Compulsory third party (CTP) insurance: what you need to know, May 2026
4 Source: Lifestyle Injury Lawyers – If I pursue a CTP claim against the at-fault driver, will it affect them financially?, n.d.
5 Source: Legal Services Commission of South Australia – Motor vehicle accident kit, April 2021
6 Source: Moneysmart – Choosing car insurance, July 2026
7 Source: Moneysmart – Claiming on your car insurance, July 2026
8 Source: Financial Rights Legal Centre – Car Insurance Claim, January 2025
9 Source: Legal Aid New South Wales – Car accidents, n.d.
10 Source: Qld Police – So you’ve hit a parked car, do you know your responsibilities?, May 2023
11 Source: Financial Rights Legal Centre – Car Accident when Uninsured, March 2026
12 Source: Canstar – What is a car insurance excess and how does it work?, May 2025
13 Available with Third Party Fire & Theft and Third Party Property Only policies. The most we will pay for each claim is the lesser of the market value of the insured car or $5,000 after excess. Conditions apply. For full details, see the Car Insurance PDS.
14 Source: NSW Government – What do do at a road crash, n.d.
15 Source: Victoria Legal Aid – Driving and accidents, April 2026
16 Source: Tasmania Legal Aid – Motor Vehicle Crash – Property Damage, n.d.
17 Source: Qld Police – Traffic crash FAQs, May 2026
18 Source: NSW Government State Insurance Regulatory Authority – A guide for people injured in motor crash in NSW, March 2025
19 Source: Tas Government The Motor Accidents Insurance Board – How we can assist you, n.d.
20 Source: Canstar – How long after an accident can you file an insurance claim in Australia?, October 2024
