If you're recovering from a motor accident in Greater Sydney and need travel or accommodation costs to attend medical treatment, the NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) scheme may cover these expenses. This article explains what costs are eligible, how to claim them, and the legal limits of such claims under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017.
What Travel and Accommodation Costs Are Covered?
Under NSW CTP rules, you may claim reasonable travel and overnight accommodation costs directly related to medical treatment for your injury. This includes:
- Travel to and from medical appointments, including public transport fares and taxi costs
- Overnight stays at hotels or motels when treatment requires overnight attendance
- Costs for medical equipment transport, where applicable
The NSW government's SIRA website confirms that these costs are covered as part of the 'treatment and care' benefits, provided they are 'reasonably necessary' for your recovery. For example, if you need to travel to a specialist in Sydney for treatment, the CTP insurer may cover your travel expenses.
How to Claim Travel and Accommodation Costs
To claim these costs, you must:
- Keep detailed records of all travel and accommodation expenses, including receipts, invoices, and travel logs
- Provide medical evidence confirming the necessity of travel for treatment
- Submit a claim to the at-fault driver's CTP insurer through SIRA
You'll need to demonstrate a clear link between your travel/accommodation costs and your medical treatment. For instance, if you're attending weekly physiotherapy sessions, your travel costs must be directly tied to these appointments.
Legal Boundaries of CTP Claims
There are important limits to what you can claim:
- Time limits: You must claim travel and accommodation costs within 52 weeks of the accident. After this period, weekly benefits are generally limited to threshold injuries (see Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 s 4.4)
- No fault claims: CTP claims are not based on fault. You can claim for treatment costs regardless of who was at fault in the accident
- No 'loss of enjoyment' claims: You cannot claim for costs related to lost leisure activities or reduced quality of life
When to Seek Legal Advice
Consult a legal professional if:
- You're unsure whether your costs meet the 'reasonably necessary' test
- You've exceeded the 52-week claim period
- You're facing a dispute with the insurer
- You're dealing with a complex claim involving multiple injuries or treatments
Practical Example
Consider a person recovering from a whiplash injury who needs to attend a specialist in Sydney for treatment. Their travel costs to and from the appointment, plus accommodation if the appointment requires overnight stay, may be covered. However, if they claim travel costs for a weekend trip unrelated to treatment, these would not be eligible.
Next Steps
CTP claims depend on the specific facts of your case. To request contact about your circumstances, complete the quick, no obligation enquiry form.