Car accidents can be stressful enough without having to think about what the next steps may be if your car is damaged or you or your passengers are injured. If you’ve never made a car insurance claim before, you might find yourself asking: What do I need to do? Who do I contact first? And is there a time limit on making a car insurance claim in Australia?
When it comes to the latter, the short answer is: it depends.
“Time limits for lodging a car insurance claim can depend on the claim type, which state or territory you live in and the type of policy you hold,” explains Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle.
“For example, personal injury claims under Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance can have strict time limits. While Comprehensive car insurance policies typically don’t have formal deadlines, lodging your claim as soon as possible may help to avoid complications, such as difficulties in verifying details.”
As a first step to making the claims process simpler, we’ve put together this handy car accident checklist outlining the steps to take after a crash or collision to collect information for your claim. In this article, we’ll also provide the answers to some frequently asked questions, including: How long after an accident can you claim car insurance? And how long does it take for a car insurance claim to be assessed?
Is there a time limit on car insurance claims in Australia?
Had a prang at the supermarket car park or another type of car crash? If you’re involved in an incident that causes damage to property, your vehicle, or someone else’s, and you hold a comprehensive or third-party policy, you can lodge a claim right away, whether you’re at fault or it’s a not-at-fault claim.
Depending on your car insurance policy and the circumstances of the incident, your insurance provider may cover all, some or none of your accident costs.
Generally speaking, there are no specific time limits for Comprehensive car insurance claims in Australia.1 However, it is generally recommended that you check your policy details and contact your insurance provider to lodge a claim as soon as possible.1
When can you make a CTP insurance claim?
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is a bit different from other types of car insurance. It doesn’t cover damage to property, your vehicle or the vehicle of any other driver involved in a car accident. Instead, CTP covers compensation payments for anyone injured or killed in a car accident.2
CTP is the minimum level of insurance you need to keep your car on the road.3 In NSW, you’ll need to take out CTP cover – known as a Green Slip – before registering your vehicle, while in South Australia and Queensland, you’ll choose a CTP insurer when you register your car. For drivers in other states and territories, your CTP insurance is included in your vehicle registration.
What’s the time limit on CTP car insurance claims?
There is a time limit on CTP car insurance claims in Australia, but the exact deadlines vary, depending on individual state and territory laws. Here’s an overview.
Queensland
In Queensland, CTP is regulated by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC).4 A CTP claim must be made within nine months of the date of an accident or of first noticing injuries resulting from the accident.5
If you seek personal advice from a lawyer regarding a claim, you must submit the claim within one month of this meeting. If you aren’t able to identify the vehicle driven by the other driver at the accident scene, you’ll only have three months to submit a claim against the nominal defendant.5
New South Wales
The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) oversees CTP insurance in NSW.6 Here, you must make a CTP claim within three months of an accident.7
It’s also worth noting that in NSW, if you submit your claim more than 28 days from the date of the accident, you may only receive payments from the date you submitted the claim – not backdated to the day after the accident occurred.7
Victoria
Victoria’s CTP is regulated by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).8 You may submit a CTP claim up to one year from the date of the car accident, or from the date you first noticed injuries relating to the accident.9
Exceptions apply for people under 18, who can submit a claim any time prior to turning 21. Claims made within three years are sometimes considered if the TAC deems the delay reasonable.9
Tasmania
The Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB) looks after CTP regulation in Tasmania.10 Here, you have up to one year to submit an “Application for benefits” – also known as a Form B – in order to receive entitlements from CTP insurance.11
South Australia
In SA, CTP is overseen by the CTP Insurance Regulator12 and the state has a CTP claim time limit of six months. However, exceptions are sometimes made for claims made later than this where there is a reasonable excuse for the delay.13
Western Australia
In WA, the Insurance Commission of Western Australia handles CTP regulation.14 To claim CTP in WA, you should submit your claim as soon as reasonably possible. However, claims may generally be submitted up to three years from the date of the accident.15
Northern Territory
In the NT, CTP is regulated by the Motor Accidents Compensation Commission (MACC).16 Claims should be submitted within six months, but the Commission may consider claims made up to three years after an incident.17
Australian Capital Territory
The Motor Accident Injuries Commission (MAIC) regulates CTP in the ACT18 and you have up to 13 weeks to submit a claim through the insurer of the vehicle most at fault.19
Why is it important to claim right away?
“Excluding CTP claims, which have varying timeframes, you should report any motor vehicle accident to your insurance provider as soon as reasonably possible after the incident,” says Jackson.
Submitting your claim promptly may benefit you in the following ways, she notes:
It could reduce how long it takes for a car insurance claim to be processed and resolved, so you can move forward with confidence.
If you don’t have the other driver’s information, your insurer can request a police report to get these, instead of you chasing it down.
Eyewitnesses may forget details about the accident over time or even change their contact information. The sooner your insurer or the police speak to them, the more likely their accounts may be considered useful.
Depending on the nature of the damage to your car, leaving it unrepaired could worsen the condition and even pose safety risks.
How long does it take for a car insurance claim to be processed?
In Australia, claim response times are regulated by the Insurance Council of Australia’s General Insurance Code of Practice.20
Under the Code, within 10 business days of lodging your claim, your insurer must tell you if they need more information or assessment to make a decision. They will explain what extra details are required and outline the process involved, including how long it’s likely to take.
Your insurer will also give you a progress update at least every 20 business days. Once they have all the information to accept or decline your claim, they will let you know their decision within 10 business days.20
“Possible reasons a claim might take longer to process include if your insurance company is still following up on contact details from a police report, or if the incident requires further investigation,” says Jackson.
So, as we’ve seen, there is no simple answer as to how long after an accident you can claim car insurance. Before making a claim for any accident you’re involved in, however, it’s a good idea to consider your relevant state or territory laws, the type of insurance you have and whether or not you wish to seek legal help for expert guidance.
Looking for the right cover for your vehicle? Check out Youi’s car insurance options for insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped and consider starting a quote today.
Note: The laws of each state and territory vary, and there may be different rules and requirements for people involved in a motor vehicle accident. We recommend that you acquaint yourself with your obligations before travelling. If in doubt – call 000.
1 Source: Canstar – How long after an accident can you file an insurance claim in Australia?, October 2024
2 Source: Moneysmart – Choosing car insurance
3 Source: Moneysmart – Buying and running a car
4 Source: Motor Accident Insurance Commission – Welcome to MAIC
5 Source: Motor Accident Insurance Commission – Timeframes, December 2020
6 Source: State Insurance Regulatory Authority – Welcome to SIRA
7 Source: State Insurance Regulatory Authority– A guide for people injured in motor crash in NSW, March 2025
8 Source: Transport Accident Commission – We support those injured on our roads and promote road safety
9 Source: Transport Accident Commission – Making a Claim for Compensation
10 Source: Motor Accidents Insurance Board – Assisting Tasmanian road users with personal injury claims
11 Source: Motor Accidents Insurance Board – Been in an accident?
12 Source: CTP Insurance Regulator – South Australia’s CTP Regulator
13 Source: CTP Insurance Regulator – Lodge your claim
14 Source: Insurance Commission of Western Australia – Injured in a crash?
15 Source: Insurance Commission of Western Australia – Limitation Periods
16 Source: Motor Accidents Compensation Commission – Welcome to MACC
17 Source: Motor Accidents Compensation Commission – How to make a personal injury claim
18 Source: Motor Accident Injuries Commission – Motor Accident Injuries Commission
19 Source: Motor Accident Injuries Commission – How to apply for support
20 Source: Insurance Council of Australia – General Insurance Code of Practice
