Not sure how to choose the right car for you?

So you are in the market for a new car – but you have no idea where to start? There are so many options, and these can sometimes be overwhelming for the mainstream car buyer.

Perhaps your needs are simple – you need a safe and reliable car that will get your family around town (between sports practices which need sufficient boot space through to family outings that may include taking your family pet along for the ride).

Confused at where to start? Maybe someone has mentioned that a Jeep is your best bet but you aren’t necessarily sure that this is the right car (or brand) for you. With an overloaded choice, there are many considerations. Here are a few key questions to answer before you get too confused.

Step 1 – decide on car manufacturers that you will not go for

Everyone may have a slightly different answer here, but perhaps you know that Ford will not suit your style or you’ve just never liked Mazda and Toyota. Create a list of car manufacturers that are no go’s for your list. This will help your car broker stay on track when selecting cars that will interest you.

Step 2 – What type of vehicle will suit you for the next couple of years?

What is your lifestyle like at the moment? Will this set to change in the next year or two? Perhaps you need an SUV, with more space and seven seats. Maybe it’s a hatchback or sedan that will be more than big enough to quickly zip you through town. Will you need to tow any trailers or caravans? Think about the type of boot space you require as well as where you will be driving (Going off-roading anytime soon?)

Step 3 – What’s your budget?

Let’s get real – what is your total available budget monthly, what type of deposit do you have available. Be clear on your limit and budget, and stay away from test driving cars that you really can’t afford.

Step 4 – Features? Did you say features?

Make a list of non-negotiable features that you want in your car. Then take this list and prioritize the most important to you – your budget may not allow for everything but be clear on what you’d need vs what you’d like or want.

Be sure to have a good conversation with your car broker about all of these things – they will be best to find you your ideal car! Working alongside a car broker can help alleviate traps and dodgy deals as well as give you access to a wider selection of vehicles to choose from.

When comparing vehicles, read our guide to ANCAP safety ratings. If you also need to sell your existing car, explore Carbiz car-selling options.

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What To Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car

Coming back to find your parked car damaged is never fun, but knowing how to respond correctly can save you time, money and stress.

Firstly, understand that getting upset is natural, but taking a deep breath will help you make better decisions. Examine your car thoroughly and document any visible damage, taking multiple photos from different angles, including close-ups of dents, scratches or broken parts, and capturing the surrounding area, such as road signs and markings, for context.

Next, see if you can locate the driver responsible. Sometimes, people leave a note with their contact information and insurance details. If there’s no note, look for witnesses nearby who may have seen what happened. You can also check for CCTV from nearby businesses, homes or on the street, as some areas have coverage. If you’re unsure, consider contacting the local council to find out whether cameras are in place that might have captured the accident.

If the driver didn’t leave a note, or if they did but are unresponsive or the information they provided seems incorrect, contact the police to report the accident and provide all the information you have, including photos, footage and witness statements. Be sure to request a copy of the police report, as it can be useful when dealing with insurance.

If you’re still having a hard time getting a hold of the at-fault driver and therefore cannot claim directly through their car insurer, it’s time to lodge a claim with your own insurance provider, if you have one. Provide them with as much information as possible, including the police report. From there, your insurer can determine whether your coverage, along with the information you have, will cover the damage to your car.

If your car insurer happens to find information about the at-fault driver and is able to have them lodge a claim so the costs of the damage are recoverable, you can contact Carbiz for a replacement car while your car is being repaired or until it’s been deemed a total loss. This ensures you’re not left without a car during this time, giving you peace of mind and the ability to keep your life moving.

For help organising your next steps, read our car accident insurance claim checklist and explore accident replacement vehicle options.

What It Means When Your Car Is Declared A Write-Off After An Accident

Updated 6 October 2026.

When an insurer declares a car a write-off, it has assessed the vehicle as a total loss under the policy. The damage may make repairs unsafe, or the cost of repairing the car may make a repair uneconomical. A write-off does not always mean the car is visibly destroyed.

How is a write-off decision made?

The assessment can take account of the vehicle's value, repair costs, salvage value and the policy terms. There is no single repair-cost percentage that determines every write-off across Australia. Ask the insurer for its assessment and the basis for its decision.

A total-loss insurance decision and a vehicle's written-off registration category are related but different matters. Whether a car can return to the road depends on the damage classification and the rules of the relevant state or territory.

Statutory and repairable write-offs

Statutory write-off: the vehicle meets specified damage criteria and cannot be re-registered for road use.
Repairable write-off: repairs may be technically possible, but the vehicle has been assessed as uneconomical to repair. This label does not itself authorise repairs or guarantee re-registration.

Requirements vary across Australia. In NSW, an eligible written-off light vehicle needs an Authorisation to Repair from Transport for NSW before work begins. Only limited applications are considered, and vehicles with statutory write-off damage are excluded. Approval, compliant repairs and the required inspections are separate steps.

What happens to your insurance payout?

The settlement depends on your cover and circumstances. It may be based on an agreed value, a market value or a replacement-vehicle benefit if your policy provides one. An excess, outstanding premium or finance arrangements may affect the amount you receive. Ask for a written breakdown before accepting the settlement.

Keep the assessment, photographs, policy documents and correspondence together. If you disagree with the valuation, provide relevant evidence and use the insurer's complaints process. See AAMI's explanation of total-loss claims for an insurer's example; your own policy determines your cover.

Getting around after a not-at-fault accident

If you need a replacement vehicle, tell Carbiz that your car has been declared a write-off. Eligibility, vehicle availability, the hire period and the terms of the agreement need to be confirmed for your circumstances. A write-off does not automatically entitle everyone to unlimited hire.

Contact Carbiz to discuss your accident replacement vehicle options. For a practical checklist, read what to do after receiving a write-off decision.

26 April 2018