Early Steps for Injured Road Users in Greater Sydney
If you were injured in a motor accident in Greater Sydney and need to travel for medical treatment or stay overnight away from home, you may be entitled to claim travel and accommodation costs under the NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance scheme. These costs are not automatically paid but must be claimed through the CTP process. The first step is to seek medical treatment and keep records of all appointments related to your injury. You must notify your CTP insurer as soon as possible, ideally within 28 days of the accident, to preserve your rights under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017.
What Travel and Accommodation Costs Are Covered
Under the NSW CTP scheme, you may claim reasonable and necessary travel and accommodation expenses incurred as a direct result of your injury. This includes:
- Transport costs to and from medical appointments, including taxis, rideshares, public transport, or private vehicle use (with a reasonable rate for fuel and wear and tear).
- Overnight accommodation costs when treatment requires you to stay away from home, such as for specialist appointments, rehabilitation, or hospitalisation.
- Meals and incidental expenses during travel, if they are directly linked to the journey and not part of a general living cost.
These claims are subject to the insurer’s approval and must be supported by evidence. You cannot claim for travel that is not related to treatment or for accommodation that is not necessary due to your injury.
Supporting Evidence and Practical Steps
To support your claim, you must gather and retain the following evidence:
- Medical appointment letters or confirmations showing the date, time, and location of treatment.
- Itemised receipts for all travel and accommodation expenses, including transport tickets, hotel invoices, and meal receipts.
- A written statement from your medical practitioner confirming that the travel or stay was medically necessary.
- A copy of your CTP insurer’s claim form, if you have been asked to complete one.
If you are a pedestrian, cyclist, or passenger, the same rules apply. The location of the accident, whether in a car park, driveway, or public road, does not affect your eligibility, as long as the vehicle was being used in a way that falls under the CTP scheme.
Time Limits and Claim Process
There is no fixed deadline for submitting a claim for travel and accommodation costs, but delays may affect the insurer’s ability to verify your claim. It is best to submit your claim as soon as possible after incurring the expenses. The CTP insurer has 28 days to respond to your claim. If they reject it, you may request a review or apply to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for a determination.
In Greater Sydney, access to specialist medical services may require travel to hospitals or clinics outside your local area. If you were required to travel more than 50 kilometres for treatment, you may also be eligible for a travel allowance under the Motor Accident Injuries Regulation 2017, which sets a standard rate per kilometre for private vehicle use.
When to Seek Independent Advice
If your claim is denied or you are unsure whether your expenses qualify, it is advisable to seek independent legal advice. The SIRA (State Insurance Regulatory Authority) provides guidance on what constitutes a reasonable and necessary expense, but the final decision rests with the insurer. Disputes over travel and accommodation claims are common, particularly when the travel was not directly tied to a medical appointment or when the accommodation was not in a medical facility.
A hypothetical example: A cyclist in Sydney’s inner west was injured in a collision with a car and required follow-up treatment at a specialist spinal clinic in North Sydney. The journey took over two hours each way, and she stayed overnight in a hotel near the clinic for three nights. She submitted itemised receipts for taxi fares, hotel stays, and meals, along with a letter from her physiotherapist confirming the treatment was essential. Her insurer approved the claim for travel and accommodation, subject to verification of the receipts.
Next Steps
Every claim depends on its own facts. To request contact about your circumstances, complete the quick, no obligation enquiry form.