How to store your vehicle

Do you need to store your car for a period of time? Here are some tips on how to do this so that you can get it back in service as quickly as possible, when the time comes.

Before you store the vehicle, clean inside and out thoroughly – you don’t want to come back to a nasty smell inside, or damage to the paintwork because of a deposit on the exterior of the car that could easily have been cleaned off before storage.

Don’t leave your car outside if at all possible – store it away in the best environment available. First prize will be a cool, dry, locked garage. If you don’t have access to a garage, and you have no other choice, cover the car with a car cover made out of thick, breathable material. Arrange for someone to check up on it on a regular basis, to ensure that no tears develop or that the cover is not stolen. Don’t park under trees, as tree sap, birds or falling branches could cause damage.

If you are planning to store your car for more than 6 months, it is worthwhile to find a storage company who will store the vehicle for this time. Make sure that the oil, oil filter and coolant are changed prior to putting into storage, and top up the fuel tank so that there is as little air in the tank as possible to avoid rusting in the tank.

Park the car on level ground and leave in gear if a manual transmission, in park if automatic. Leave the handbrake off.

Plug any possible entry points for rodents or other animals – block the air intake and exhaust pipes with rags.

Arrange for your car to be checked on a regular basis while it is in storage – checked for leaks, fluid levels and tyre pressure. The car should be started and the engine warmed for about 15 minutes, every 2 weeks.

When you are ready to use your car again, check for evidence of rodents, such as teeth marks on wires, belts and cables. Check the fluid levels and the battery, as well as the tyre pressures before you start driving. Before you drive on an open road, check that the brakes are working. Book your car in for a service as soon as possible.

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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.

31 December 2017