Why Injured Queenslanders Should Never Accept a Direct Offer from CTP Insurers Suncorp, Allianz or QBE
Have You Been Encouraged to Settle Your Claim Early by Suncorp, Allianz or QBE After a Motor Vehicle Accident in Brisbane or Queensland?
If you’ve recently been injured in a road accident anywhere in Queensland—especially in Brisbane—and have been contacted directly by Suncorp Insurance (or any insurer) offering to settle your Compulsory Third Party (CTP) claim, you are not alone. But before you sign or accept any offer, know your rights and protect your future.
The evidence is now overwhelming: Queenslanders who settle their claims directly with insurers like Suncorp, without legal representation, routinely receive far less compensation than those who seek independent legal advice. Worse still, many claimants are not told the full consequences of settling directly, nor are they warned about the potential breaches of law by the insurers in their approach.
Suncorp’s “Concierge” CTP Claims Service: What You’re Not Being Told
Suncorp Insurance, the largest CTP insurer in Queensland, has launched a major advertising campaign—particularly online—promoting their so-called “Concierge CTP Claims Service.” These ads, which appear across Google and social media, claim that Suncorp can guide people through their injury claim process, and even suggest that “you don’t need a lawyer to claim.”
However, what these ads don’t tell you is:
- Suncorp’s employees are not independent and represent the insurer’s interests—not yours.
- Accepting a settlement directly with Suncorp often bars you from ever claiming further compensation, even if your injuries worsen.
- Data shows that self-represented claimants receive a fraction of the compensation that legally represented claimants achieve.
- A recent report revealed that, in 2024, the average payout for self-represented CTP claimants was just $18,021, compared to $147,369 for those with a lawyer. This is not just a statistic, this is life-changing money that could mean the difference between ongoing care and financial stress.
Real Example: How One Client Was Almost Short-Changed by a CTP Insurer
Take the case of Mr A (we cannot disclose his name for privacy reasons), a Brisbane mechanic injured in a rear-end collision. He tried dealing with a Qld CTP insurer directly, and they told him numerous times he didn’t need a lawyer. The Insurer’s claims team told him repeatedly that he didn’t need a lawyer and that they would help him through the claim. He was offered $25,000 to settle his claim. Thankfully, before signing, Mr A contacted Best Injury Lawyers. After a thorough assessment, his claim was ultimately settled for $340,000, just under 14 times more!
If he had accepted the insurer’s advice and offer, he would have lost out on hundreds of thousands of dollars he needed for future treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Why Are CTP Insurers Allowed to Do This?
Multiple complaints have been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and other regulatory bodies regarding Suncorp’s (who have set up the so called “CTP Claims Concierge Service”) and the other CTP insurer’s conduct. The complaints highlight:
- Misleading and deceptive conduct under Section 18 of the Australian Consumer Law;
- Breach of Section 66 of the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002 (Qld), which restricts advertising of personal injury services by non-lawyers;
- Potential breaches of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth) and Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld).
- Suncorp’s advertising and claims handling practices are alleged to mislead injured people, downplay the benefits of legal representation, and fail to disclose conflicts of interest. Even worse, many claimants are not warned that accepting a direct settlement bars any future claim, even if their injury turns out to be far more serious.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Legal Representation Makes a Massive Difference
Official data from the Motor Accident Insurance Commission shows:
- The number of direct (self-represented) claimants is rising—from 876 in 2022 to 1,309 in 2024, thanks in part to insurer advertising.
- Average compensation for direct claimants in 2024 was $18,021.
- Average compensation for represented claimants in 2024 was $147,369.
- This isn’t a small difference, it’s a staggering gap that can have devastating financial and personal consequences for Queenslanders injured on the road.
The Hidden Dangers of Settling Directly with CTP Insurers
The CTP Insurers know that the less you know about your rights, the less they will have to pay. By encouraging direct settlements:
- They avoid paying full and fair compensation.
- They prevent you from learning your true entitlements.
- They exploit your lack of legal knowledge, offering what might seem like a quick and easy solution but which is almost always well below the real value of your claim.
Many people don’t realise that insurers’ settlement offers are “once and for all”—meaning you cannot go back later if your injuries worsen or if you discover additional losses.
What Should You Do If Suncorp (or Any Insurer) Tries to Settle With You Directly?
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Queensland and have received any type of offer or communication from Suncorp, QBE or Allianz offering to “help” you with your claim, or to settle your claim for a ‘fair’ amount:
- Do not sign or accept any offer until you get independent legal advice.
- Contact Best Injury Lawyers immediately. Your first consultation is free, and you are under no obligation. If you do choose to go ahead, we cap our fees at 30% + GST.
- Know that you have a right to full and fair compensation—not just what the insurer offers.
- Be aware that the CTP insurer’s employees are not working for you—they work for the insurer.
Questions About CTP insurers?
If you have been contacted by CTP insurers after a motor vehicle accident, we offer a free initial consultation and can provide information about the process and your options.
Before You Accept an Offer From CTP insurers
If you have been injured in a car accident in Queensland and approached directly by CTP insurers, it can be important to understand the process before making any decision. Direct contact from an insurer and early settlement offers may not reflect the full picture of a claim, especially where treatment, recovery, and future losses are still being assessed.
Why Contact Best Injury Lawyers?
- Free Initial Consultation – We offer a free initial consultation and honest, upfront information about the process.
- No Win No Fee Terms – We are prepared to act on a no win no fee basis.
- 30% + GST Fee Cap – Our fees are capped at 30% + GST and we do not charge an uplift fee.
- Funded Disbursements – We fund disbursements on the client’s behalf and they are only payable if the claim is successful.
- Clear Communication – Clients are assigned a dedicated lawyer and paralegal with direct contact details.
- Road Accident Matters – Our firm provides legal services in Queensland personal injury law, including motor vehicle accident matters.
For Further Information About CTP insurers
If you would like further information about a motor vehicle accident matter in Queensland, please contact Best Injury Lawyers to arrange a free initial consultation. Our team can provide information about the process, relevant time limits, and our engagement terms.
