28 September 2017

Child safety in your car – what to consider when buying a new car

If you have a family, especially with younger children, their safety in any vehicle that you drive will need to be of paramount importance. Here are a few things that you will need to consider.

 

How many baby chairs or children’s seats can be accommodated in the back seat of the vehicle – enough for the number of children in your family? Also – look at the amount of room available in the back of the car – you don’t want to land up with your legs folded under the dash because there isn’t enough space for the child seats. Also look at the seat anchor points provided – where are they? If the anchor point is on the boot lip, it will use boot space – whereas if the anchor point is on the back of the rear seat, it won’t.

 

Something that we don’t always think of is that the configuration of the rear window can affect the amount of sunlight shining on the child – if the rear window is sloping (as in a hatchback), the baby or child will be in direct sunlight if they are rear-facing. If you can’t do anything about this, think about whether there are rear air-conditioning vents in the vehicle, and also whether to equip the rear of the vehicle with after-market sunshades that can be attached to the rear windows.

 

Look at the amount of boot space available, and make sure that you will be able to fit the pram in as well as everything else that you will normally want to carry in the boot – shopping, for example. Make sure that the pram will go into the boot easily.

 

Test the rear doors to make sure that they will open widely enough to put in and remove the baby carrier/car seat in and out of the vehicle without undue difficulty.

 

You want a car that will be as safe as possible. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is a car safety performance assessment programme based in Australia and founded in 1993. ANCAP specialises in the crash testing of automobiles sold in Australia and the publishing of these results for the benefit of consumers. ANCAP provides consumers with transparent advice and information on the level of occupant and pedestrian protection provided by different vehicle models in the most common types of crashes, as well as their ability—through technology—to avoid a crash.

 

The ANCAP assessment splits safety systems into 3 types:

 

  • Structural integrity – how does the safety cell hold up in a collision
  • Safety features – airbags, ABS (Antilock braking Systems and ESC (Electronic Stability Programs)
  • Safety Assist Technologies – advanced systems that help the driver to avoid a crash, or restrict its severity, such as AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking), LDW (Lane Departure Warning), BSM (Blind Spot Monitoring) and FMS (Fatigue Monitoring Systems).

 

Check the ANCAP safety rating, and select only five-star rated vehicles.

 

As you can see, there are some choices that you can make which can make your driving life easier, as well as safer both for you and for your family.

 

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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.

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

If your car has been involved in an accident, you may hear the term “write-off” from your insurance company or repairer. But what does it actually mean when your car is declared a write-off? Understanding this process can help you make informed decisions about your car, repairs and costs.

A car is considered a write-off when the cost to repair it after an accident is too high compared to its market value. Insurance companies often calculate the repair cost and compare it to the car’s value prior to the accident. If the repair cost is more than a certain percentage of the car’s value, typically around 60–75%, the car may be classified as a write-off. This doesn’t always mean your car is completely destroyed; sometimes the car could technically be repaired, but the cost would outweigh the benefits.

There are different types of write-offs. A total loss write-off is when the car is so badly damaged that repairing it is not financially viable. A repairable write-off is when the car can be fixed, but it requires significant repairs. In either case, the insurance company will usually pay out the car’s value at the time of the accident, minus any applicable excess or deductions.

The cost implications of a write-off can vary. If your car is declared a write-off, you may need to consider the cost of replacing it with another car. Some car owners opt to keep a repairable write-off, but this comes with the added repair costs, which can be substantial depending on the extent of the damage. Repair costs can quickly add up, especially if the accident involved structural damage or expensive parts.

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