NSW CTP Claim
NSW CTP Claim
Your expert in CTP claims

Identifying the Correct CTP Insurer for Your Claim

To lodge a CTP claim, you must identify the insurer of the vehicle at fault. In NSW, there are several licensed insurers (like NRMA, GIO, Allianz, QBE). If you were at fault, or it was a single-vehicle accident, you generally lodge with your own vehicle’s insurer. General information only.

Key references on this page

1) For NSW-Registered Vehicles

If the vehicle at fault has NSW registration plates, identifying the insurer is straightforward:

  1. Visit the Service NSW Free Registration Check.
  2. Enter the vehicle registration number (the license plate).
  3. Enter the date of the accident.

The result will show the CTP insurer for that vehicle.

Practical tip: it is usually best to have a specialist lawyer help prepare your Application for Personal Injury Benefits so injuries and entitlements are not missed. Contact us before you lodge if possible.

2) Unidentified or Unregistered Vehicles

If the other driver left the scene without providing details (hit-and-run) or if the vehicle was unregistered:

  • You may be able to lodge a claim against the Nominal Defendant.
  • The Nominal Defendant is a statutory body that acts as an insurer in these specific cases.
  • Strict "due inquiry and search" requirements apply—you must show you tried to find the vehicle.

Read more: The Nominal Defendant pathway.

3) Interstate-registered at-fault vehicles

If the at-fault vehicle is registered interstate, the pathway can split:

  • Statutory benefits: may be managed through the Nominal Defendant pathway in NSW.
  • Common law damages: may be pursued against the interstate insurer.

Because this can involve two tracks, get advice early on evidence, limitation periods, and the order of steps. See Interstate insurer claim pathway.

4) If You’re Having Trouble

Finding the right insurer is the most common reason for delays in the first 28 days. If you cannot identify the other vehicle, or the insurer search returns no results, contact us immediately. We can help track down the correct entity so your claim is not timed out.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find out which company insures the at-fault vehicle?
You can use the "Free Registration Check" tool on the Service NSW website (https://check-registration.service.nsw.gov.au/frc?isLoginRequired=true). You will need the registration plate number of the vehicle and the date of the accident.
What if the at-fault vehicle is from interstate?
If the at-fault vehicle is interstate-registered, statutory benefits may be handled via the Nominal Defendant pathway in NSW, while common law damages may proceed against the interstate insurer. Get advice early because pathway and timing issues can be technical.
What if I was at fault for the accident?
In NSW, you still lodge your claim with your own CTP insurer. The current scheme provides benefits for both at-fault and not-at-fault drivers for at least the first 52 weeks (subject to threshold injury and degree of fault rules later).