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The new therapy helping with car accident recovery

Insurer Allianz has found success in offering virtual reality therapy to those who experienced mental injuries as a result of car accidents

Allianz has partnered with the Sydney Phobia Clinic to offer a new virtual reality program to support those with a driving phobia and help participants overcome psychological injury caused by involvement in road collisions.

The new program uses VR therapy to help customers who have a fear of driving get back behind the wheel in a comfortable and controlled environment. The pilot phase of the program has just been completed, with 100 claimants engaging in the therapy since November 2024.

Data from Allianz’s compulsory third-party insurance division found 38 per cent of claims in 2024 have involved some form of psychological injury after a motor accident, up from 24 per cent in 2020.

Of all Allianz CTP psychological injury related claims reported over the past four years the most common are anxiety/depression related (41 per cent), acute stress (23 per cent), post-traumatic stress disorder (22 per cent) and nervous shock (seven per cent).

Kim, a 62-year-old from Newcastle, participated in the program and says it helped with recovery following a traumatic collision and rolling incident.

“I was recommended the Virtual Reality therapy program by my case manager at Allianz after a nasty car accident where I was rear ended, causing my vehicle to roll and collide with a tree,” Kim says.

“The therapy sessions helped me tremendously with the PTSD I was suffering following the accident, and the psychologists at Sydney Phobia Clinic were incredibly supportive, with positive encouragement rather than pressure.

“After just a few sessions I made great progress and I’ve since managed to get back behind the wheel and back to doing the things I love.”

An independent assessment by the University of New South Wales found the pilot program had significantly positive outcomes from those who engaged with it.

Allianz is now extending the service to rural and regional customers via a smartphone-based subscription therapy service and headset called oVRcome with further pilot programs being run across Queensland and South Australia.

Principal Psychologist at the Sydney Phobia Clinic Dr Corrie Ackland says being able to get back behind the wheel in a controlled environment has enabled patients to continue their recovery from traffic collisions.

“The innovative therapy immerses patients in realistic driving scenarios in a controlled, safe environment, allowing them to confront and gradually overcome their fears,” Ackland says.

“By simulating various driving conditions, we help patients rebuild their driving skills and reduce anxiety, ultimately empowering them to return to everyday life with renewed assurance.”

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