Life in Australia Guide

Drivers involved in a car accident in Australia have a legal obligation to stop. The first thing to do is check yourself, your passengers, and the other party for injuries. If anyone is injured, or there is a dangerous situation such as fire or a fuel spill, call 000 (the combined emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire) immediately. If no one is hurt and the vehicles can be moved, turn on your hazard lights and move your car to a safe spot that doesn't block traffic. For non-emergency police reports, many states run 131 444 (the Police Assistance Line), but this can differ by state, so check your state police's official website in advance. It's a moment when it's easy to panic, so if you remember the order in this guide (secure safety → exchange details → gather evidence → report to police → notify your insurer), you'll be able to respond calmly.

The road rules of each Australian state make the exchange of details between the parties to an accident a legal obligation. If asked by the other driver, an injured person, or someone whose property was damaged, you must provide your name, address, and vehicle registration number (rego), and you have the right to ask them for the same details. On top of this, it is common practice to also exchange driver's licences, phone numbers, and insurer details, which makes the insurance process much smoother later. Recording the details with photos is the most reliable way to prevent errors.

Not every accident has to be reported to the police. Minor accidents with no injuries where the vehicles can move under their own power are often wrapped up with an exchange of details alone. However, the reporting requirements differ by state, so it's a good idea to check your state police's official guidance in advance. Below are the situations that are reportable in most states. The event/report number issued when you report may be needed for your insurance claim, so be sure to keep it.

• Someone is injured or killed — call 000 immediately. Accidents involving personal injury are reportable to police in virtually every state.
• A vehicle needs towing or the road is hazardous — when a vehicle cannot move under its own power, or debris or spills make the road dangerous.
• The other party refuses to give details, is suspected of being uninsured or drink driving, or it's a hit and run — any case where the other party cannot be identified or a crime is suspected.

Australian car insurance divides its roles very distinctly, and if you don't understand the structure you can be badly caught out after an accident. The key point is that CTP, which is compulsory with vehicle registration (rego), covers personal injury only and does not cover vehicle or property damage at all. In other words, if you cause an accident with only CTP, you may have to pay for the other vehicle's repairs yourself. Understand the differences between the four types below precisely and get the cover that fits your situation.

How an accident claim turns out often comes down to your records from the scene and how quickly you notify. Regardless of fault, promptly notifying your own insurer is usually an obligation under your policy, and even if you have no plans to claim right now, the other party may claim against you later, so it is safest to notify anyway. Personal injury compensation (CTP) has its own separate process and time limits, so check with your state's CTP body.

• Organise your records — keep scene photos, the other party's details, witness contacts, and your notes on the date, time, location, and circumstances of the accident in one place. Back up dash cam footage immediately, before it is overwritten.
• Notify your insurer promptly — lodge the accident as soon as possible, regardless of fault. Most insurers run 24-hour accident phone lines and online claims.
• Get the police event number — if the accident was reportable, get the event/report number and attach it to your claim documents. It is especially important for hit and run or uninsured-driver claims.
• Personal injury goes through the CTP process — if you suffered an injury needing treatment, claim with the CTP body of the state where the accident occurred (NSW SIRA, VIC TAC, etc.). Time limits apply, so check the official site before it's too late.
• Use approved processes for towing and repairs — if you need a tow, request it through your insurer or the police, and have repairs done under your insurer's process (rules on nominated or chosen repairers) to avoid disputes.

Right after an accident, judgement is easily clouded. Knowing in advance these five mistakes that actually happen often can greatly reduce your losses at the scene.

• Admitting fault or settling on the spot — admitting liability without your insurer's consent can breach your policy, and if you settle in cash and the other party later changes their story, it is hard to prove. Go no further than confirming the facts and exchanging details.
• Assuming "I have CTP, so repairs are covered too" — CTP is for personal injury only. If you cause an accident with no property damage cover, you may have to pay for the other car's repairs out of your own pocket.
• Signing an unauthorised tow truck's paperwork — there are cases where operators arrive first at the scene, get you to sign, then charge excessive towing and storage fees. Don't sign until you have checked through your insurer or the police.
• Leaving the scene without securing details — if you part ways without the other party's rego and contact details, making a claim at all becomes difficult. At the very least, always take photos of the number plate and the scene.
• Delaying notification and reporting — if you are late notifying your insurer or reporting to the police, your claim may be refused or disadvantaged. CTP personal injury claims have their own time limits, so check with the official body straight away.