News
Tackling CTP greenslip fraud
Greenslip prices in NSW have climbed more than 70% in the last 7 years and by over $40, or 8%, in 2015. The NSW government says fraudulent CTP claims are part of the problem. So alarming is the trend, it has established a taskforce to investigate fraud and a fraud hotline to encourage people to come forward and share information.
Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, Victor Dominello, says the average greenslip price for a car in Sydney is now more than $600. This is more than 34% of average weekly earnings compared to 28% in 2007.
A new private CTP scheme for South Australia
South Australian (SA) motorists will from 1 July 2016 get compulsory third party (CTP) vehicle insurance from four private CTP insurers, rather than the Motor Accident Commission (MAC).
From 1 July 2016, four private insurers will provide CTP insurance:
Zurich to cease offering Green Slips
Zurich to cease offering NSW CTP green slips from 1 March 2016, subject to approval from State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA).
Changes to purchasing green slips
Purchasing your green slip has become much easier. As of 6 November 2015, your insurer is able to get some of your details directly from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS).
This saves you the trouble of providing these details and it means you will be charged the correct amount for the premium.
After you buy your green slip, your insurer will send your green slip details to the RMS straightaway. Hard copy receipts will no longer be required for new registrations..
MAA Abolished
.As a consequence of reform to the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme, there have been two significant changes to the NSW CTP insurance scheme.
The Motor Accidents Authority (MAA) was abolished, effective from 1 September 2015. Functions of the MAA will transfer to a new Authority, the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA).
Another new organisation, Insurance & Care NSW (icare) will be the service provider for the Lifetime Care and Support Authority.
Purchasing a Green Slip to be Faster and Easier from 23 March 2015
Update
In our news article of 6 February we announced changes to the process of purchasing a green slip. These changes take place from 23 March 2015.
There has been a delay in the implementation of the changes.
Agreement between insurers and the RMS as to the basis for exchanging information is not yet final.
At this stage it is not clear when agreement will be reached nor when the changes will be implemented.
It is hoped that the delay will only be for several weeks.
From 23 March 2015 the process of purchasing a green slip will be streamlined to make it faster and easier.
Rather than enter all your vehicle details into the insurers system, you will be required to enter two pieces of information to identify your vehicle. The rest of the information download automatically from the RMS. The information downloaded from the RMS will include the details of your vehicle but will not include personal information such as your name, address or demerit point status.
Once you have purchased your green slip, details will be transferred immediately to the RMS (including new registrations which were previously reliant on hard copy receipts).
All seven green slip insurers are adopting the new system.
There are several benefits from the new system. You will need to enter less information, making the process faster and easier. You can complete your registration immediately after you have purchased a green slip and because your vehicle details are being downloaded from the RMS, quotes will be more accurate.
Samples of the information you will need to provide to identify your vehicle from 23 March 2015 are set out below.
Green slip renewal
- Your RMS Billing Number and
- Your plate number.
New registration
- Your vehicle’s VIN, Engine and/or Chassis Number and
- Your NSW driver or Rider Licence, NSW Photocard Number or the RMS Customer Number of the registered operator.
If you don’t have your registration papers
- Your plate numbe; and
- Your NSW driver or Rider Licence, NSW Photocard Number or the RMS Customer Number of the registered operator.
For renewals or if you don’t have your registration papers you can also use your vehicles VIN, Engine or Chassis Number as part of the identifying information.
The new system will not impact other areas of the CTP insurance scheme.
New 40kmh speed limit zone announced for Sydney CBD.
Roads and Freight Minister Duncan Gay yesterday announced a new speed zone for the Sydney CBD, with a new 40kmh speed limit.
“The new 40kmh limit zone will be introduced by the end of this year and will operate in the area bounded by Hay, Kent, Pitt and Castlereagh Streets, and will connect with the current 40kmh speed limit area in The Rocks north of the CBD.”
Why such a low speed?
Minister Gay cited several facts as the basis for the decision:
- Between 2008 and 2014, there were 7 pedestrians killed in the CBD, including 3 just this year;
- More than 90% of trips made every day in the CBD are made on foot;
- A vehicle that hits a pedestrian at 50kmh is twice as likely to cause a fatality as the same vehicle travelling at 40kmh;
- A driver travelling at 40kmh also has a greater opportunity to avoid a crash and any impact will be less severe.
Minister Gay noted that pedestrians need to play their part in improving road safety in the CBD.
“Pedestrians should always cross at the lights, obey traffic signals, look both ways before they cross and stay alert by not getting distracted by phones or music” Mr Gay said.
In addition to fining drivers for breaking the new speed limit, we hope that police target pedestrians and cyclists for dangerous and irresponsible behavior.
NSW Pink Slip and Licence Changes Announced
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay yesterday announced changes to pink slips and licence renewals.
The changes are as follows:
1. Starting from January 2015, pink slips will be valid for six months, rather than six weeks as is currently the case; and
2. By the first quarter of 2015, licence holders between the ages of 21 and 44 will be given the option of a ten year driving licence.
Lane Filtering for Motorbike Riders
Duncan Gay, Minister for Roads and Ports has announced that the NSW Government is going to introduce new legislation to allow lane filtering for motorbike riders.
The new law is expected to come into effect from 1 July 2014.
Ask us anything about green slips
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