Green slips: How CTP works, your vehicle type, make a claim
greenslips.com.au has been helping you find the cheapest green slip for over 20 years. Learn more about how CTP insurance works, how to get a green slip for your vehicle, and how to make a claim.
Why do I need CTP insurance?
You need CTP insurance to protect you in case of a road accident. CTP stands for compulsory third party insurance. It is designed to cover people who are injured or die in a road accident that involves your vehicle.
CTP is compulsory so people can be compensated without having to rely on the financial means of the driver at fault. It protects you, the owner, from any expensive damages claims if your vehicle hurt or killed somebody.
See How is CTP different from comprehensive or third party property damage insurance?
Essential to know
Make sure you know the difference between CTP and other types of motor insurance.
- If you want to protect your car, you must buy comprehensive insurance or third party property damage insurance.
- CTP insurance covers people only.
What exactly is a green slip, and why do I need one?
A green slip is the name in NSW for CTP insurance. You have to buy a green slip before you can register your vehicle in NSW. All registered vehicle owners are covered by CTP insurance in case of an accident anywhere in the country.
Your green slip covers your liability in case you are involved in a road accident and someone makes a claim against you for injury or death in the accident. The purpose of a green slip is to cover any claims for injuries or death, not damage to vehicles or property.
What happens if I drive without a valid green slip?
Why is it called a green slip in NSW?
It is called a green slip in NSW because CTP insurance used to be printed on green paper. This is no longer the case as insurers can use any colours they choose for insurance. The name, green slip, is usually well understood. However, no other state or territory outside NSW uses this term for CTP insurance.
What does my green slip cover?
A green slip covers people who are injured in a road accident involving your vehicle. This includes drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists.
Who does my green slip cover?
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Your questions |
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Is my family covered if they are passengers in my car? |
Yes |
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Is my spouse covered under my CTP? |
Yes, if they are injured or killed by your vehicle |
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Am I covered if I’m driving a rental car? |
Yes, all registered vehicles are covered by CTP |
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Am I covered as a pedestrian? |
Yes |
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Am I covered if I’m riding a bicycle? |
Yes |
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Am I covered if I was injured but was at fault? |
Yes, but to a lesser extent than someone not at fault |
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Am I covered if my vehicle is damaged or stolen? |
No |
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Am I covered if someone else’s vehicle is damaged? |
No |
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Am I covered if my trailer hits someone? |
Yes, it’s covered by the towing vehicle CTP |
What injuries are covered under my green slip?
Your green slip covers injuries that were a result of the road accident:
- Threshold injuries include soft tissue injuries, whiplash, muscle strains and psychological injuries.
- More than threshold injuries include more serious physical and psychiatric injuries.
- Injuries with more than 10% impairment include damage to the brain or spine.
If you were the driver at fault, you can receive fixed benefits up to 12 months but are not fully covered.
What doesn’t my green slip cover?
Your green slip doesn’t cover property:
- Damage to your vehicle or property
- Damage to other peoples’ vehicles or property
- Theft of your vehicle.
It also doesn’t fully cover the driver at fault in a road accident:
- The driver can receive fixed benefits up to 12 months for all injuries.
- If they are catastrophically injured, as defined by the Lifetime Care and Support Scheme, they will receive lifetime care.
One insurer provides an extra type of cover on top of its green slips, known generically as at-fault driver cover. This is purely for the driver at fault.
Are there different levels of green slip cover?
No, by law each green slip gives the same level of coverage. Whether you buy the cheapest or the most expensive green slip, you receive the same coverage.
One insurer, NRMA Insurance, adds a policy for the at-fault driver on top of its green slip. However, its green slip still provides the same coverage as other insurer green slips.
What information do insurers need for my green slip?
Insurers need information about you, your vehicle and your driving history to set the price of your green slip.
Summary of information insurers need for my green slip
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You (owner) |
Your age, age and gender of youngest driver |
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Your vehicle |
Garaging address, year of manufacture, make, model, shape, how it’s used, other insurance held, distance travelled |
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Your driving history |
Years licensed, any demerit points, recent accidents, claims made |
You (as vehicle owner)
The vehicle owner is the person who is entitled to register the vehicle. This same name appears on the registration papers and on the green slip.
Sometimes a vehicle is owned by a company. This means the company name appears on the registration papers and on the green slip.
A company-owned vehicle may claim for GST paid on a green slip. A privately owned vehicle may also claim for GST.
There are other types of vehicle owner:
- Fleet owner – you deal directly with the CTP insurers.
- Taxi owner – you can use the greenslips.com.au Calculator.
- Rideshare owner – compare prices with the greenslips.com.au Calculator
Insurers do not need to know whether or not you are a pensioner or hold a concession.
Also see How much is a green slip for pensioners?
Your vehicle
There are 3 main vehicle types that insurers use to quote prices in the greenslips.com.au Calculator:
- motor car
- ute/light goods vehicle
- motorcycle
Essential to know
Some vehicles, such as large SUVs, are classified as light goods vehicles rather than motor cars.
- Always check your registration papers for the vehicle code. See more about how vehicles are classified.
- If you have a truck or bus weighing 4.5 GVM or more, you cannot use the greenslips.com. Calculator. See more about trucks and buses.
Motorcycle prices particularly depend engine size and whether or not there is a pillion passenger.
If you have a motorbike, get the cheapest green slips for a motorbike in 2025. See more about green slips and motorbikes.
Your driving history
Insurers ask about your years of driving experience as well as any traffic offences that incurred demerit points.
You will be asked about recent accidents that were your fault. ‘At fault’ means you were fully at fault or your behaviour contributed to the outcome. If you make a claim, the insurer decides whether or not you are at fault, based on witness statements, photographs and other evidence.
In general, safer and more experienced drivers tend to get cheaper green slips.
When do I need to buy a green slip?
You need to buy a green slip before you register your vehicle in NSW. You can buy it up to 3 months in advance because you can register your vehicle up to 3 months in advance.
If you sometimes forget when your registration is due, order a free rego reminder sticker.
Where can I buy a green slip?
You can buy a green slip from any of the 6 insurers, from an agent or broker, or some price comparison sites. Even if you buy from an agent, you are still buying a green slip from one of the 6 insurers.
Buy a green slip online or by phone from the insurer or insurer’s agent, or in person at a branch where possible.
FAQs
Do I get a physical or digital green slip?
Your insurer will send out a physical green slip after you have paid for it and registered your vehicle. Service NSW receives a digital copy of the green slip as soon as you pay for it. This allows you to register your vehicle straightaway.
How long is a green slip valid for?
A green slip is valid for as long as the registration is valid. Both registration and green slip commence and expire at the same time.
- For a 12 month registration, the green slip is valid for 12 months.
- For a 6 month registration, the green slip is valid for 6 months.
In most cases you can choose a 6 month registration. If this is the first registration in NSW, registration had been cancelled, or you are transferring from interstate, you have to register for 12 months.
Can I pay for my green slip in instalments?
No. You cannot pay for your green slip in instalments as this is illegal. Money has to be paid in full for your green slip to be valid. You can register your vehicle only with a valid green slip.
How do I choose an insurer?
Answering these questions will help you choose an insurer:
- Do you want to renew your green slip and registration for 6 months?
- Would you like At-Fault Driver Cover on top of your green slip?
- Are you eligible for discounts on other insurance?
- Is brand loyalty important to you?
- Do you need access to branches for payment in person?
If you just want to find the cheapest price, use the greenslips.com.au Calculator.
What’s the best way to renew my green slip?
The best way to renew your green slip is to use the greenslips.com.au Calculator to compare prices from all 6 insurers and choose the one that meets your needs. You do not have to stay with your current green slip insurer.
Otherwise, contact your current insurer and pay the price on your renewal notice. If you didn’t receive a green slip renewal notice, use Service NSW Check Rego service to find out your current insurer and contact them.
Do I have to buy a green slip even if I rarely drive?
Yes, you have to buy a green slip to register your car. If your car is unregistered, then it is illegal for you to drive at all.
Who can claim under my green slip if I have an accident?
If you have a road accident, anyone who is injured or the family of someone who dies can make a claim on your green slip. These include passengers, pedestrians and cyclists. You as the driver can also make a claim on your green slip, but your entitlements are reduced if you were at fault.
How do I make a claim? See our Claims Guide.
Am I covered if I was injured but at fault?
Yes, you are covered by your green slip if you were at fault. The difference is you cannot receive as much as someone who was not at fault.
If you were at fault you are entitled to:
- Payment for loss of income and earning capacity for 12 months
- Reasonable cost of treatment and care for 12 months
- Claim for damages if your injuries are more serious (more than threshold).
What if my accident was outside NSW?
Your green slip covers you whether you have an accident in NSW or another state or territory.
- If you have an accident outside NSW, benefits for your injuries depend on where it happened.
- These benefits can be affected by whether it was your fault or not.
Who is responsible for CTP insurance in NSW?
State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) – regulator of the CTP scheme.
SIRA CTPAssist – practical help with CTP claims and resolves complaints about insurer sales or quotes.
Service NSW – vehicle registration and licensing.