Driving hazards and tips to avoid them

While most roads and highways in Australia are safe, well-maintained and meet high quality standards, Australia is a very large country, and outside of the main cities is a vast area, much of which is remote outback, with variable road conditions.

Firstly, you really do not want to be stranded in a remote region of Australia, unprepared. If you are going into the outback, we would suggest taking some basic items with you, just in case:

Detailed and current maps of the area
A compass, matches and fire-lighter blocks
As much water as possible
Enough food for each person for two days
Two changes of clothes – one for hot conditions and one for cold conditions
Medicine/first-aid kit
A complete set of tools. It is advisable to take two jacks and two spare tyres (correctly inflated of course).
A radio, or preferably a 2-way HF radio with Flying and Telstra frequencies, as mobile phone signal coverage is limited in these areas. You may want to rent a satellite phone.
A loud whistle.

Once you are fully prepared and on the road, look out for the following hazards in order to avoid an unnecessary accident:

Getting your wheels caught in soft edges or verges of a gravel or dirt road. You need to slow down on roads like these, and try not to drive on these roads at night. Resist swerving and losing control, and if you happen to hit a verge, take your foot off the accelerator so that you can gently slow down while directing the wheels back onto the road. Remember that on a gravel road it will take longer for your car to stop, so slow down and make allowances for a longer stopping distance than normal.
Rain after a long period of dry will create a slippery surface which can be similar to black ice when driving. If you travel too fast on the road you could end up losing traction and skating across the road.
Wildlife and animals on country roads, especially at dusk. Driver more slowly and keep your headlights on high beam if there is no oncoming traffic. If you do experience an animal jumping out in front of you – brake, hoot and flash your lights to hopefully make it move away quickly.
Flooded roads – avoid these and do not cross a flooded road or causeway, especially if the water is moving. It takes a surprisingly small depth of fast- moving water to sweep your car way.

There is no better way of exploring Australia than getting out of the city – and if you are prepared and cautious you can be sure to enjoy the experience!

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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.

30 November 2017