New catastrophic injuries support starts today

Friday, 1 July 2016

• Vehicle registration increases a maximum of $99 for lifetime care and support 

Western Australia's expanded motor vehicle injury insurance scheme has started, meaning all motorists catastrophically injured in crashes from today (July 1, 2016) are now covered for lifetime care and support.

Treasurer Mike Nahan and Disability Services Minister Donna Faragher said the expanded cover started today for more than 1.8 million WA motorists.

Dr Nahan said the cost of the expanded insurance cover would be a maximum of $99 in the first year for each vehicle and motorcycle, with smaller increases for tractors, mopeds, vintage cars and farm firefighting vehicles. There will be no increases for caravans and trailers.

"The extra cost to vehicle registrations ensures WA's 1.8 million motorists will receive the care and support they need for the rest of their lives if they are catastrophically injured," he said.

"This scheme will change the lives of the estimated 44 people in WA each year who are catastrophically injured in car crashes, in which they were either at fault or unable to identify another driver at fault, and their loved ones.

"I would like to thank the broader community for their support in introducing this important scheme."

Mrs Faragher said the expanded cover would provide security to people who suffered those injuries, as well as their families and loved ones.

"The cost of care after catastrophic injury is enormous and beyond the financial means of most families, with an estimated average lifetime cost of $4 million per person," she said.

"This lifetime care and support offers peace of mind to WA families, and follows extensive consultation with the health and disability sector, motorists and the wider community."

Fact File

• Catastrophic injuries are spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, multiple amputations, severe burns and permanent traumatic blindness
• WA's motor injury insurance ($409) remains cheaper than similar insurance covers in South Australia ($488), Victoria ($494), the Northern Territory ($544), the Australian Capital Territory ($585) and New South Wales ($638)
• The Insurance Commission of Western Australia will administer the expanded insurance
• For more information, visit http://www.nowcovered.com.au