CTP insurance in Queensland

How CTP insurance works in Queenland

Compulsory third party insurance is a legal requirement in Australia. In most states, CTP is automatically included when you register your car, but in Queensland, you're able to pick the insurer yourself, allowing you to shop around for the best deal.

How is CTP Queensland insurance different

Although regulated by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC), Queensland's CTP insurance scheme is underwritten by the private insurance sector.

So what does this mean? Basically, if you live in Queensland (New South Wales or the ACT) you have the option of choosing your own CTP insurance provider. If you register your car in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, the Northern Territory or Tasmania, it's automatically built into your vehicle registration, so you don't have the flexibility to shop around.

CTP Queensland insurance still provides the same kind of protection as in other states (e.g cover for legal and medical costs as a result of injuries or deaths caused by a car accident) but you might be able to get it cheaper by shopping around.

It's worth keeping in mind that Queensland CTP policies don't cover injuries sustained by the driver that is at fault in a vehicle accident. Because of this, it's worth looking for CTP insurance policies that provide at-fault cover.

How much does CTP cost in Queensland?

When choosing your CTP Queensland insurance provider, price is probably the major factor you consider. Here's an idea of the costs you can expect. Keep in mind that insurers will take into consideration the type of car you drive, your age, driving history and where you live.

Covers At-Fault DriversAnnual Cost
Picture not describedYes*$351.20
Allianz logoYes*$351.20
QBE LogoYes*Free DriverProtect cover available for Class 1 & 6 vehicles.^
RACQ LogoYes*$351.20

*Eligibility criteria applies.
^For a registered owner aged 30 and over on a 12 month policy. A certificate with terms and conditions will be sent to you if you qualify. DriverProtect only covers where the driver of the vehicle is 25 years and over.

What's the nominal defendant?

The majority of your CTP insurance premiums go to your chosen insurer, but a levy is set aside for the nominal defendant in QLD.

The nominal defendant is designed to cover uninsured motorists following an accident, and is also responsible for supporting claims that couldn't be paid if an insurer was to go bust.

So, if you're hit and injured by an uninsured driver, the nominal defendant is essentially the uninsured driver's insurer, which ensures you can get compensated. If the culprit's insurer goes out of business, the nominal defendant will also come in to pay claims. Its purpose is to make sure no one ends up without compensation.

How does CTP Queensland insurance cover me?

Cover can vary between insurers, but when it comes to CTP, most will do one thing: cover you for financial liability in the event that you are responsible for the injury or death of another person while driving a vehicle. This includes:

  • Passengers in your car
  • Other drivers and their passengers
  • Motorcyclists and their passengers
  • Pedestrians
  • Cyclists
  • Public transport passengers

Depending on the circumstances, CTP can pay compensation, reach a settlement, cover medical expenses, ambulance bills, loss of income and long-term care that might be required, as needed. If the injury is fatal, it can also cover funeral costs and financial loss.

Most insurers in Queensland also offer at-fault cover. This means that you'll be covered for injuries by your CTP, even if you were the one that caused the accident.

Is CTP insurance enough?

If you want to be properly protected, it's not enough. CTP insurance and the MAIC will generally not cover any kind of damage to vehicles or property. That's where third party property car insurance comes in. With this, the at fault party is protected for damage to other people's property. This can be anything from another car to someone's fence.

Comprehensive car insurance, meanwhile, includes third party liability insurance, but it will also cover damage to your own car. It's the only type of car insurance policy that will comprehensively cover you if your car is damaged in an accident. It can also provide you with cover for hail, storms, theft, fire, emergency accommodation and much more.

Need more cover? Try one of these policies...

1 - 8 of 25
Product FCI Finder Score Roadside assistance Accidental damage Storm Choice of repairer Agreed or Market Value
Finder Score
Optional
Agreed or Market
Summary: One of the only insurers to automatically include roadside assistance. It also won 12 out of the 22 categories in Finder's 2024 customer satisfaction awards.

Winner of 12 out of the 22 categories in Finder's 2024 customer satisfaction awards. Yes, that many.
Finder Score
Optional
Optional
Agreed or Market
Summary: Coles Comprehensive Car Insurance includes the benefits you’d expect, plus features like grocery replacement (up to $200 if damaged or stolen. T&C’s apply). You’ll also collect 2 Flybuys points for every $1 you spend at Coles when you link your Flybuys (max cap, exclusions and eligible purchases apply).

⭐ Current offer: Save 15% off your first year’s premium when you take out a new Coles Car Insurance policy online. T&Cs apply.

Who it might be good for: Those who want great quality cover and more rewards with Flybuys.
Finder Score
Optional
Optional
Agreed or Market
Summary: The 2024 winner of our Best Value Car Insurance award. It's cheaper than most, plus you can lower costs by adding age restrictions.

⭐ Current offer: 15% off your first year's premium when you take out a policy online. T&Cs apply.

Who it might be good for: Anyone who wants a good value policy.
Finder Score
Agreed
Summary: ALDI's comprehensive insurance policy covers your car for an agreed value and a variety of policy benefits.

Who it might be good for: Ideal for those seeking competitive coverage limits, though other products may have higher limits.
QBE Comprehensive
Green Company
QBE logo
Finder Score
Optional
Agreed or Market
Summary: Finder's best-rated Car Insurer for Customer Satisfaction in 2021/2022 and Green Insurer for the last 3 years.

⭐ Current offer: Save $75 when you purchase a new comprehensive policy online. T&Cs apply.

Who it might be good for: Those who want a trustworthy insurer and more cover than other brands, such as 3-year new car replacement (e.g. they'll give you money for a new car for up to 3 years if yours is written off).
Finder Score
Agreed
Summary: One of the most cost-effective insurers for under 25s, according to Finder research, with no aged-based excess.

⭐ Current offer: Get 10% off the base premium for the first 2 consecutive monthly policies and up to a 15% potential monthly discount from your 3rd month for being a safer driver. Minimum premiums may apply. T&Cs apply. Learn More.

Who it might be good for: Young drivers looking to keep costs down and anyone who’d like to get more flexibility from their car insurance.
Finder Score
Agreed or Market
Summary: This goes further than most insurers. You get up to 2k for stolen keys, roadside assistance and rental car excess cover (for car rentals in Australia).

⭐ Current offer: Use promo code "HUDDLERSA" for 12 months FREE Roadside Assist. T&Cs apply.

Who it might be good for: Those who want top cover for their car.
Finder Score
Optional
Agreed or Market
Summary: Huddle's comprehensive policy will cover you if your vehicle is damaged or lost as a result of a collision, a natural event, a malicious act, theft or fire. It also includes up to $500 for essential repairs.

⭐ Current offer: Use promo code "HUDDLERSA" for 12 months FREE Roadside Assist. T&Cs apply.

Who it might be good for: Someone who drives less than 15,000 km a year can opt for Pay As You Drive cover.
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Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

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