How to check if my car is insured

How do I know if my car is insured?

Your car insurance could be one of the four types offered in Australia:

Compulsory third-party (CTP) insurance: is a mandatory cover in Australia that protects you financially if you are hurt or fatally injure someone in an accident. CTP insurance is also known as a Green Slip in NSW, and the ACT has its own version called the motor accident injuries (MAI) insurance. In all states and territories, it’s a legal requirement to purchase CTP insurance at the same time you register your vehicle. Some states give you a choice of insurance provider, whilst others provide the insurance through government-owned insurance commissions.

Comprehensive car insurance: is the most extensive and generally most expensive form of cover. It provides a more thorough degree of cover for damage or theft to your car, as well as damage to others property during an accident.

Third-party property damage: covers you if you cause damage to someone else’s property.

Third-party fire and theft cover: covers your car if it’s damaged by fire or stolen. It also includes the cover provided by third party property damage insurance.

Checking compulsory insurance

How do I check if my car has compulsory third-party (CTP/MAI) insurance?

If you are taking ownership of a used car or are just unsure of when your current registration and CTP insurance expire, you can visit the website of your state or territory vehicle registration department (listed below) and check online using the vehicle registration plate.

These checks are free of charge and will likely include the status and expiry date of the current registration period.

• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Queensland
• Western Australia
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Australian Capital Territory
• Northern Territory

How do I know the expiry date of my compulsory car insurance?

The expiry date of your CTP car insurance will be the same as the car’s registration expiry date, as it’s a legal requirement to purchase both at the same time. You can’t have one without the other. Keep in mind that the Queensland’s car registration check doesn’t include who your CTP provider is.

CTP and MAI: How do I check who my car is insured with?

How compulsory insurance is provided differs between the states and territories. Some  allow the person registering the car to choose their insurer, while others have statutory bodies that issue the insurance:

New South Wales

You can choose your insurer: AAMI, Allianz, GIO, NRMA, QBE and Youi.

Queensland

You can choose your insurer, at the time you register the car: Suncorp, Allianz, QBE, RACQ, NRMA

South Australia

You can choose your insurer: AAMI, Allianz, NRMA, QBE, Youi

Australian Capital Territory

You can choose your insurer: AAMI, Apia, GIO, NRMA

Victoria

Provided by government-owned insurance commission: Transport Accident Commision (TAC)

Western Australia

Provided by government-owned insurance commission: Insurance Commision of Western Australia (ICWA)

Tasmania

Provided by government-owned insurance commission: Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB)

Northern Territory

Provided by government-owned insurance commission: Motor Accidents Compensation Commision (MACC)

Checking other types of car insurance policies

To check if any other car insurance policies you may hold (such as comprehensive car insurance, third party property damage or third party fire and theft) are up to date, it may be a good idea to speak with your insurer directly.

You would have received information about any policies when taking them out that you may be able to refer to. The information should include a member or policy number that you can reference should you wish to contact the provider directly for more information. You may also have an online account with your car insurance provider that includes your policy details and renewal dates.

Your insurer will most likely also send you a renewal notice well in advance of your insurance expiring (providing they have your updated details).

Compare Car Insurance with Canstar

If you’re comparing car insurance policies, the comparison table below displays some of the policies currently available on Canstar’s database for a 30-39 year old male seeking comprehensive cover in NSW without cover for an extra driver under 25. Please note the table is sorted by Star Rating (highest to lowest) followed by provider name (alphabetical) and features links direct to the providers’ websites. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD), before making a purchase decision. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the PDS and TMD. Use Canstar’s car insurance comparison selector to view a wider range of policies. Canstar may earn a fee for referrals.

Is my car automatically insured when I renew the registration?

This depends on the type of insurance. In Australia, it is compulsory to take out CTP or MAI insurance at the time of registration. The exact process for doing this varies depending on which state or territory you live in. However, you can’t renew your car registration without also renewing your CTP insurance policy. So in this sense, compulsory insurance is automatic when you register a car in most cases.

If you live in a state where CTP insurance is offered by multiple providers, you will need to select the insurance provider and provide proof of purchase before you can complete the car registration process. The renewal stage would also normally be when you can change CTP insurance providers if you wish to switch. In those states and territories that offer CTP insurance through government-owned commissions, your CTP insurance will automatically be included in your registration.

Other types of car insurance are optional and not included as part of your registration; meaning you will generally need to purchase and renew these policies separately. The insurer you choose for your third party property, third party fire and theft or comprehensive car insurance does not have to be the same one that provides your CTP cover.

Compare Car Insurance

Should I check my car insurance on a regular basis?

Yes, especially if you have any doubts about whether or not you are insured, or if you are buying or selling a vehicle.

Compulsory insurance:

Checking the registration and compulsory car insurance status of a vehicle is a good idea if you are thinking of buying or selling a used car. Some sellers choose to sell their car just as the registration is expiring to save on renewal fees, while some buyers are attracted to cars that come with a few months left on the registration.

If you are driving a car that is not your own, it’s important to know that as the driver, you are responsible for ensuring the car is registered and covered by a CTP insurance policy. If you are involved in an accident and found to be at fault, you could be liable for the legal fees and treatment of others who are injured if you don’t have CTP car insurance in place.

Other types of insurance:

Aside from CTP insurance, you may want to check the details of any other car insurance policies you own, such as comprehensive cover, third party property damage and third party fire and theft cover. If your car insurance policies are due for renewal soon, there may be deals and renewal offers you can consider. Canstar also rates and compares comprehensive car insurance providers across Australia.

Cover image source: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com