NSW CTP Claim
NSW CTP Claim
Your expert in CTP claims

Lodging a NSW CTP claim without the other vehicle’s rego

People often think a NSW CTP claim is impossible unless you have the at-fault vehicle’s registration (rego). In some situations — particularly hit-and-run accidents — a claim may still be possible through a Nominal Defendant pathway.

This page explains practical steps and evidence to preserve early. General information only.

1) What to do immediately (practical checklist)

  1. Get medical treatment and ensure injuries and mechanism are recorded.
  2. Record what you can: vehicle description, direction of travel, time/location.
  3. Get witness names and phone numbers (independent witnesses matter).
  4. Identify CCTV/dashcam sources and request preservation urgently.
  5. Keep any police event details and communications.

2) Nominal Defendant pathway (high level)

Where the vehicle is unidentified or uninsured, a Nominal Defendant pathway may apply. These matters can be evidence- and deadline-sensitive.

Read: Nominal Defendant explained.

3) Evidence issues that cause disputes

  • Delay in reporting and lack of contemporaneous records
  • No independent witness support
  • CCTV not preserved
  • Inconsistent histories in medical records

Frequently asked questions

Can I lodge a CTP claim without the other vehicle’s rego?
Sometimes, yes. If the at-fault vehicle cannot be identified, a Nominal Defendant pathway may apply. Evidence requirements can be strict and time-sensitive.
What should I do immediately after a hit-and-run?
Get medical treatment, report the incident as appropriate, gather witness details, preserve CCTV/dashcam sources, and keep records. Acting quickly can be critical because CCTV can be overwritten.
What evidence helps prove the other vehicle was involved?
Independent witnesses, CCTV/dashcam, contemporaneous medical notes describing the mechanism, and prompt reporting records are commonly important.
What is the Nominal Defendant?
The Nominal Defendant can respond to certain claims where the at-fault vehicle is unidentified or uninsured, subject to eligibility rules.
Should I accept an insurer’s position that I “can’t claim” without rego?
Not without checking the pathway carefully. There are circumstances where a claim can proceed without identified rego, but the steps and deadlines matter.