How to identify the right MAI insurer to receive your application
The following two step process will assist you with identifying the right MAI insurer to receive your application.
Step 1: Determine what sort of motor accident occurred
Were you in a single motor vehicle accident, multi-vehicle accident or a blameless accident?
If you were injured in a single motor vehicle accident, then you apply to the MAI insurer of the motor vehicle involved in the accident. This includes the driver of the motor vehicle, passengers, pedestrians, pillion riders and cyclists injured in the motor accident.
If you were injured in an accident involving multiple motor vehicles, please proceed to step 2 to identify who is the right MAI insurer for your application.
If you were injured in a blameless accident, then you apply to the MAI insurer for your vehicle.
Step 2: Determine who was at fault for the motor accident
Determine who was at fault for the accident. The MAI insurer of the at fault vehicle is the most appropriate insurer to receive your application. If you were the at fault vehicle, then you apply to the MAI insurer of your vehicle.
If another vehicle was at fault, you will need to find out who their MAI insurer is. For ACT plated vehicles, you can look up the MAI insurer on the Access Canberra website or call Access Canberra on 13 22 81. For NSW plated vehicles, you can look up the CTP insurer (treated as the MAI insurer for an ACT motor accident) on the Service NSW website.
For accidents where the at fault vehicle is unregistered or uninsured or otherwise unable to be identified (eg. a hit and run) or is subject to an unregistered vehicle permit, the application for defined benefits may be sent to the Nominal Defendant.
Email: nominaldefendant@act.gov.au
Phone: (02) 6207 0184 (9:00am – 5pm, Mon-Fri)
The Nominal Defendant will only accept an application for a most at fault unidentified vehicle once you have undertaken reasonable steps to inquire into and search for the most at fault vehicle.
For accidents where the at fault vehicle has an interstate insurer (for their equivalent of motor accident injuries insurance), please contact the interstate insurer for information. For example, see the NSW State Insurance Regulatory Authority’s website for a list of NSW CTP insurer contact information (treated as the MAI insurer for an ACT motor accident).
If it is not clear which vehicle is most at fault, then you apply to the MAI insurer of your vehicle. Your MAI insurer will assist with the process of identifying the right MAI insurer. They will then either accept liability for your application or assist with the transfer of the application documents to the right MAI insurer.