CTP At-Fault Driver Protection
At-Fault Driver Protection, also known as At-Fault Driver Cover, depending on the insurer, is an additional level of cover offered by just two insurers in New South Wales. This cover offers some additional benefits to injured drivers who were at fault in a road accident.
Previously, many at-fault drivers were not covered under the CTP Scheme because it was a Third Party scheme only. This position gave rise to insurers offering additional At-Fault Driver Cover. Over the years, however, the RMS has introduced entitlements for the benefit of First Parties, or the driver considered at fault.
There currently exists certain entitlements for Drivers at Fault under the Lifetime Care and Support Scheme for those drivers who have been catastrophically injured as a result of a road accident where they are at fault.
What At-Fault Driver Protection Covers
The new CTP scheme introduced on the 1st of December in 2017 offers improved benefits for all injured people, including at-fault drivers. They may now receive entitlements for up to six months to cover:
- weekly income payments (if time off work is necessary as a result of the incident)
- medical and treatment expenses
- commercial attendant care (for help needed around the home)
These benefits commence soon after a claim is made.
This is a major improvement for injured people who were at fault in an accident. The RMS advises that there are approximately 7,000 people a year who are considered to be at fault in an accident. Prior to the 1st of December in 2017, they were only able to claim a maximum of $5,000 for combined medical expenses and loss of income.
Why CTP At-Fault Driver Cover Is Now Offered
Before 2017, at-fault driver cover was not offered as a part of CTP insurance policies as they were only created to protect third parties. The NSW CTP Scheme now realises that an at-fault accident could be the result of an unfortunate situation such as a momentary lapse in concentration, being blinded by the sun, or hitting a kangaroo on a country road.
With the increase in benefits to At Fault Drivers, it is too early to tell whether insurers will continue offering their own At Fault Driver Cover. We will keep you posted on developments in this regard right on our blog.
Until insurers change their current positions, the benefits available under this cover remain and include lump sum entitlements to at Fault Drivers for specified injuries as determined by the insurers.
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
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