INSURING YOUR CAR
CTP vs Comprehensive Car Insurance
15 December 2021
Car Insurance can be helpful if you ever need to make a claim – and depending on the type of claim, it could save you thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. That's why you should consider getting the right type of insurance from the get-go. Knowing the difference between Compulsory Third Party (CTP), Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) Insurance and Comprehensive Insurance is a good starting point.
What is CTP Insurance?
CTP Insurance covers an at fault driver’s liability for costs related to a third party's injuries after an accident, such as medical costs and lost income. It also covers an at fault driver’s liability to make compensation to people injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident. It doesn’t cover the cost of damaged vehicles and property, whether yours or belonging to a third party.
In Australia, you’re required by law to have CTP Insurance, but the way you obtain it depends on where you live.
- In Victoria, Western Australia,Tasmania and the Northern Territory, CTP insurance is included in the price of your vehicle registration.
- In Queensland and South Australia you can choose a CTP insurer when you register your car, or renew your registration.
- In New South Wales – where CTP is better known as ‘Green Slip’ —, you must buy CTP insurance before you can register your car.
- In the ACT, a very similar scheme to CTP is called Motor Injury Accident (MAI) Insurance. You can choose a MAI insurer when you register your car or renew that registration.
Buy or renew your CTP Green Slip
What is Comprehensive Insurance?
Unlike CTP Insurance, Comprehensive Car Insurance can provide cover for damage to your car, as well as damage to other people’s cars and property after an insured incident. With GIO Comprehensive Car Insurance, some of the things your car can be covered for include:
- accidental loss or damage to your car from certain insured events
- theft, and
- incidents like fire (including bushfire) and flood.
Add to that, a hire car after an accident where you’re not at fault – if your car can’t be safely driven or is in repairs. Remember to record the name, address and rego of the at-fault driver. You’ll need these details for us to arrange and pay the costs of a hire car. Read your PDS to see what further conditions apply.
If your car is written off after an insured event and we’ve agreed to pay your claim as a total loss, we’ll replace your car if you’re the first registered owner, or you purchased it as an ‘ex demonstration’ model from a licensed motor dealer – provided the loss or damage occurred less than two years from the date it was originally registered.
Key differences between CTP Insurance and Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Every registered vehicle in Australia has to be covered by CTP Insurance by law, whereas Comprehensive Car Insurance is optional.
- CTP Insurance only covers liability for people injured by your vehicle in an accident.
- CTP Insurance will not cover costs associated with any property damage your vehicle may cause.
- Comprehensive Car Insurance can provide you with cover for loss or damage to your vehicle and loss or damage your vehicle causes to other people’s vehicles and property in an insured event covered by the policy.
What about optional covers?
You might want to consider whether you'd like additional features built into your insurance – like an excess-free claim for broken windscreens and window glass.
Once you have read the PDS you can easily check the effect of optional covers on your premium when you get a GIO Comprehensive Car Insurance quote online get a quote online. Simply add or remove optional covers and see how your quote varies. Still need time to explore your options? Browse Car Insurance options online now with GIO.
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Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. Go to gio.com.au for a copy. Target Market Determination also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
