Car concerns: Sydney Decotter is calling for comprehensive car insurance to be made compulsory in Australia. Picture: Luke Fuda
CASULA resident Sydney Decotter wants comprehensive car insurance to be compulsory for all car owners in Australia.
In NSW, Compulsory Third Party Insurance covers only personal injury liability.
Mr Decotter was involved in a three-car accident on December 24, 2012.
His car was sandwiched between two other vehicles.
He was not injured but his car required significant repairs.
Mr Decotter's comprehensive car insurance only covered two-weeks of car hire even though his car was in the smash repair centre for three weeks.
Mr Decotter, 62, said the accident ignited a conversation on insurance with his brother-in-law, who lives in the United Kingdom and is required to abide by other insurance legislation.
"All cars on the road (in Australia) should have comprehensive car insurance," Mr Decotter said.
"We have to make it better for other people who have accidents in Australia."
Macquarie Fields MP, Andrew McDonald, supports Mr Decotter's call.
"I think it's something we need to look at," he said.
Mr Decotter's concerns come as the Minister for Finance and Services Greg Pearce brings the NSW Compulsory Third Party scheme to the table.
Last week, Mr Pearce announced that the scheme would be reviewed with the aim of speeding up accident claims and putting downward pressure on premiums.
Mr Pearce said the current scheme was costing the people of NSW too much money.
Mr Pearce said he asked the NSW Motor Accidents Authority to look at aspects such as insurer and legal costs and CTP rates, with the view to creating a fairer scheme.
"This review is all about fixing the scheme to ensure those who deserve compensation don't have to wait years for a resolution and to make premiums more affordable," he said.