How Vehicle Modifications Are Funded in NSW CTP Claims
If you have suffered a disabling injury in a motor accident in New South Wales, you may be eligible for funding to cover the cost of vehicle modifications such as hand controls, adapted steering wheels, or other mobility aids. These modifications are considered treatment and care benefits under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 (MAIA), which governs compulsory third party (CTP) insurance in NSW. Funding is not automatic and depends on the nature of your injury, the medical evidence, and whether the modification is deemed necessary for your safe and independent use of a vehicle.
Legal Basis for Funding Treatment Costs
Under the MAIA, treatment and care benefits cover reasonable and necessary expenses related to your injury, including modifications to vehicles that are required to support your recovery or maintain your mobility. The insurer must fund these costs if they are recommended by a qualified medical practitioner and are directly linked to your injury. The Motor Accident Injuries Regulation 2017 and the Motor Accident Guidelines set out the criteria for what is considered reasonable and necessary. For example, a modification must be clinically indicated and not merely convenient.
What You Must Establish to Receive Funding
To secure funding for vehicle modifications, you must provide clear evidence that the modification is essential for your safe return to driving or for daily mobility. Key evidence includes:
- A medical report from a specialist or rehabilitation practitioner confirming the need for the modification.
- A written recommendation from a driver assessment professional, such as an occupational therapist or driving rehabilitation specialist.
- A quote from an approved vehicle modification provider detailing the cost and type of equipment.
- Documentation showing that you were able to drive before the accident and that your injury prevents you from doing so safely without the modification.
The insurer may require a formal assessment before approving funding. You must not proceed with the modification without prior approval unless it is an emergency measure to prevent further injury.
How SIRA Guides the Process
The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) provides guidance on what constitutes a reasonable and necessary treatment cost under CTP. SIRA’s position is that vehicle modifications are not automatically funded simply because they are available or popular. The focus is on clinical necessity, not availability or preference. For example, a hand control system may be approved if you have limited upper limb function due to a spinal injury, but not if the injury is unrelated to hand or arm function.
SIRA also emphasises that funding decisions must be made in a timely way. Delays in processing claims for modifications can impact your rehabilitation and return to independent travel. If an insurer refuses to fund a modification, you may request a review or seek independent assessment.
Practical Steps to Take
If you believe you need a vehicle modification following a motor accident, take the following steps:
- Seek medical assessment from a specialist or rehabilitation provider who can document your functional limitations.
- Obtain a formal recommendation for the modification from a qualified professional.
- Contact your CTP insurer to request approval for funding. Provide all supporting documentation.
- Keep copies of all correspondence, quotes, and medical reports.
- If the insurer refuses funding, request a written explanation and consider seeking an independent review or legal advice.
Time Limits and Dispute Options
There is no fixed deadline for applying for treatment and care benefits, including vehicle modifications, but delays may affect the insurer’s ability to assess and approve your claim. It is best to apply as soon as possible after the accident or when a need becomes apparent.
If your claim is denied, you have the right to request a review from the insurer. If the review is unsatisfactory, you may apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for a determination. NCAT can order the insurer to fund the modification if it finds the need is clinically supported.
Hypothetical Example
A 42-year-old driver sustained a spinal cord injury in a car crash in Sydney in August 2026. The injury resulted in partial paralysis of the right arm, making it unsafe for her to operate a standard car. Her rehabilitation doctor recommended hand controls and a modified steering wheel. After providing a medical report, a driving assessment, and a quote from a licensed vehicle modification company, her CTP insurer approved funding for the equipment. The modification was installed within six weeks, allowing her to regain safe mobility.
When to Seek Independent Advice
Every claim depends on its own facts. To request contact about your circumstances, complete the quick, no obligation enquiry form.