You caused the crash. You know it. The other driver knows it. And now you’re lying in a hospital bed wondering: “Will my CTP insurance cover me?”
Short answer: No.
Your green slip (that compulsory third party CTP insurance every NSW driver must purchase) protects people you injure in a motor vehicle accident. Not you. If you’re the at fault driver, the NSW CTP scheme provides limited support (up to 52 weeks of statutory benefits) but after that, you’re on your own for medical expenses, lost income, and ongoing care.
This gap has created demand for extra cover. Insurers now sell driver protection cover and at-fault driver cover products, promising to fill the hole. But is driver protection worth it in 2026?
What Does CTP Insurance Cover in New South Wales?
Every vehicle registered in New South Wales needs a CTP green slip. This compulsory insurance is built into your registration fee and covers your liability to injured people in accidents involving your car.
If you cause a car accident, your CTP policy pays for:
- Medical treatment for injured parties
- Lost income compensation
- Rehabilitation and lifetime care for those catastrophically injured
- Lump sum payments for permanent impairment
Here’s what CTP insurance does NOT cover:
- Cover damage to property or other vehicles (that’s what car insurance is for)
- Your own injuries if you’re the fault driver
What At-Fault Drivers Can Claim Under Statutory Benefits
Under the NSW CTP scheme’s statutory benefits, at fault drivers can claim support, but it’s limited.
For accidents from 1 April 2023:
- Up to 52 weeks of statutory benefits
- 95% of pre-accident earnings for the first 13 weeks
- 80-85% of earnings from week 14 onwards
- Medical costs and treatment expenses
For accidents before 1 April 2023:
- The limit was 26 weeks of statutory benefits
After this period ends, your coverage stops unless your injuries meet specific whole person impairment thresholds. The bar sits high; most people don’t qualify for ongoing benefits.
For full details on how to claim benefits and damages, check SIRA’s guidelines.
What Is At Fault Driver Cover?
Several insurers offer additional benefits designed to protect at fault drivers from this gap. NRMA Insurance’s “Driver Protection Cover” is among the fault driver cover products available in NSW.
Here’s what these fault cover products offer:
Lump sum payments if you (the driver at fault in an accident) suffer specific serious injuries:
- Quadriplegia
- Paraplegia
- Blindness in both eyes
- Loss of multiple limbs
- Severe brain injury
What they don’t cover:
- Minor injuries (whiplash, soft tissue)
- Lost income beyond statutory benefits
- Pre-existing conditions aggravated by the road accident
- Accident while intoxicated or unlicensed
The cost? Typically $50-80 per year on top of your green slip premium. Check with your insurer for current pricing or try our green slip calculator to compare prices.
Is At Fault Driver Protection Worth It? Key Factors
Time for uncomfortable maths. Several factors should determine your decision.
The Probability Problem
According to SIRA data, NSW records thousands of CTP claims each year.
But most claims involve minor injuries; soft tissue damage, minor fractures, temporary impairments.
The catastrophic injuries that trigger large payouts from at fault driver cover? They’re rare. We’re talking a few hundred cases per year across all of New South Wales.
Your odds of:
- Being in a motor vehicle accident
- Being the fault driver
- Suffering injuries severe enough to trigger the cover
…sit somewhere in the one-in-tens-of-thousands range.
The Financial Calculation
Say you pay $65 per year for driver protection cover from age 25 to 65. That’s 40 years × $65 = $2,600 in premium payments.
For that $2,600, you’re buying protection against catastrophic fault accident outcomes. If the worst happens, you’d receive between $100,000 and $500,000.
Statistically, you’ll almost certainly pay for decades without ever making a claim.
But insurance isn’t about statistics. It’s about catastrophic risk transfer.
When Deciding to Buy Makes Sense
Explore this extra cover if you:
- Have dependents who rely on your income. Being catastrophically injured without cover could devastate your family.
- Lack other safety nets. No income protection, limited savings, no family support scheme.
- Drive high-risk kilometres. Long commutes mean more exposure to road accident risk.
- Own your home with a mortgage. A catastrophic accident could mean losing your property.
When You Might Skip It
The fault driver cover may not be worth it if you:
- Already have income protection insurance. Many policies cover injuries regardless of fault.
- Have substantial savings. You can self-insure against the risk.
- Drive minimal kilometres. Weekend-only drivers face lower motor vehicle accident exposure.
How Does NSW Compare to Other States?
The NSW CTP scheme differs from other states in Australia.
Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission (TAC) provides more generous no-fault coverage, injured people receive benefits regardless of who caused the accident. This support scheme means Victorian drivers have less need for additional benefits products.
South Australia and the ACT each run their own schemes with different rules about at fault drivers and coverage limits.
South Wales’ hybrid approach (52 weeks no-fault statutory benefits (or 26 weeks for pre-April 2023 accidents), then fault-based compensation) creates the gap that driver protection cover products aim to fill.
What About Other Car Insurance?
Don’t confuse CTP insurance with car insurance. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Type | What It Covers | Required? |
| Compulsory third party (CTP) | Personal injuries only | Yes, built into rego |
| Third party property | Damage to party’s vehicle and other vehicles | Optional |
| Comprehensive | Your vehicle + other vehicles + property | Optional |
If you have private health insurance with good hospital cover, you’re partially protected. Your health insurer will pay for hospital medical treatment regardless of who’s at fault.
But private health won’t cover:
- Lost income
- Lifetime care costs
- Home modifications
- Ongoing medical expenses beyond hospital
For more on coverage options, see our car insurance options guide.
A Simple Framework for Deciding
- Step 1: Add up existing coverage, income protection, health insurance, savings.
- Step 2: Estimate what a catastrophic accident would cost you. Mortgage, family expenses, care needs.
- Step 3: Calculate the gap. If existing cover falls short by more than $100,000, explore the add-on.
- Step 4: At $65/year on a $600 green slip, you’re adding about 10% to your CTP cost. Worth it for peace of mind?
There’s no universal answer, just the right answer for your situation.
Which Insurers Offer At Fault Cover?
The insurers participating in some form of At Fault Driver Protection is as follows:
| AAMI | No additional cover offered |
| Allianz | No additional cover offered |
| CIC | No additional cover offered |
| GIO | No additional cover offered |
| NRMA | Additional cover to at fault drivers extended under certain circumstances. This will be noted in your policy documentation |
| QBE | No additional cover offered |
Get CTP At-Fault Driver Cover
Our CTP green slip calculator allows you to quickly and easily compare all CTP providers in NSW, including those that offer at-fault cover. Use our online calculator now to compare prices and policies so that you can secure the best rate for you. We plant a tree for each CTP sold.
People also ask about at fault driver protection cover
Still have questions? Here’s what NSW drivers ask most about at-fault cover.
1. Does CTP insurance cover at fault drivers in NSW?
Limited coverage only. At fault drivers can claim statutory benefits for up to 52 weeks (for accidents from 1 April 2023) or 26 weeks (for earlier accidents). This includes weekly payments and medical treatment expenses. After this period, coverage depends on injury severity under SIRA thresholds.
2. What happens if I’m at fault in an accident?
Your CTP green slip covers anyone you injure. For your own injuries, you get limited statutory benefits for up to 52 weeks. After that, you’ll need other insurance or savings unless you’re catastrophically injured and qualify for ongoing support.
3. Is driver protection cover the same as car insurance?
No. Car insurance covers damage to vehicles and property. Driver protection cover is additional benefits covering injuries to you (the driver) when you cause an accident. Different products, different risks.
4. How much does at fault driver cover cost?
Typically $50-80 per year from most insurers. Some offer discounts when you purchase bundled with your green slip through their CTP policy. Use our green slip calculator to compare options.
5. Can I make a claim if the accident happened while I was at fault?
Yes, but claims are limited to 52 weeks of statutory benefits (or 26 weeks for accidents before April 2023) unless you meet serious injury thresholds. Fault driver cover products provide additional benefits beyond this limited statutory coverage.
6. What’s the difference between 26 weeks and 52 weeks?
The NSW CTP scheme changed on 1 April 2023. For accidents from that date, at-fault drivers receive statutory benefits for up to 52 weeks. For accidents before that date, the limit remains 26 weeks.
Compare green slip prices from all NSW CTP insurers through our calculator. We plant a tree for every CTP policy sold, because protecting yourself and the environment shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.
