What travel and accommodation costs are covered under NSW CTP claims?
Where a person's only injuries resulting from the accident are threshold injuries, weekly benefits and treatment and care generally cease after 52 weeks (ss 3.11 and 3.28).
Under the NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) scheme, injured road users in regional areas may claim reasonable travel and accommodation expenses related to medical treatment. The Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 and SIRA guidelines specify that travel costs include transportation to and from medical appointments, while accommodation expenses cover overnight stays required for treatment. For example, if a cyclist in regional NSW needs to travel 200km for specialist care, the cost of a taxi or bus fare and hotel stay may be recoverable.
How to document travel costs for CTP claims in regional NSW?
To support a claim, injured road users must provide:
- Receipts for transportation (e.g., taxi, bus, or train tickets)
- Medical records confirming the necessity of travel
- Time logs detailing travel duration and purpose
- Witness statements if travel was required for multiple appointments
For regional areas with limited transport options, SIRA may consider alternative evidence like a doctor’s note explaining why a specific mode of transport was needed.
Steps to claim accommodation expenses early in the process
- Notify the insurer within 52 weeks of the accident (per the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 s 4.4)
- Submit accommodation receipts (e.g., hotel invoices, rental agreements)
- Provide medical evidence linking the stay to treatment
- Request a review if the insurer disputes the claim
SIRA typically assesses accommodation costs based on the reasonableness of the expense, not the luxury of the accommodation. For instance, a single room at a budget hotel is more likely to be approved than a five-star resort.
How SIRA assesses travel and accommodation claims in regional NSW
SIRA evaluates claims using the Motor Accident Guidelines, which prioritize:
- Necessity of the travel or stay for medical treatment
- Reasonableness of the cost compared to local transport and accommodation rates
- Consistency between documented expenses and medical records
In regional areas, SIRA may also consider:
- Transportation delays due to limited services
- Distance to specialist facilities
- Impact of the injury on daily travel
Example of a successful claim
A motorcyclist injured in a regional NSW accident required a 300km trip to a specialist clinic. They submitted:
- Taxi receipts for the journey
- A doctor’s note confirming the need for travel
- A train timetable showing limited regional transport options
SIRA approved the claim, recognizing the necessity of the travel despite the distance.
Time limits and when to seek advice
Claims must be submitted within 52 weeks of the accident for certain benefits, but travel and accommodation claims may be pursued beyond this period if they’re essential to ongoing treatment. If the insurer rejects a claim, injured road users should:
- Request a written explanation of the decision
- Submit a formal dispute through SIRA’s review process
- Seek legal advice if the claim involves complex circumstances
Next steps
CTP entitlements depend on the date of the accident, injury severity, and claim history. To request contact about your circumstances, complete the quick, no obligation enquiry form.