Learning better safety habits

When you have been driving for years, it’s easy to switch to “auto pilot” and tune out everything around you, and before you know it – you have arrived at your destination. However, it’s not a good idea to fall into bad habits on the road. We have identified a few common bad habits that drivers easily fall into – have a look and see whether you have some negative habits that you need to address.

Before you get into your car, walk around the vehicle and check that all is OK – tyres inflated, lights working, mirrors intact. Inside your car, adjust your seat, steering wheel and mirrors before you set off.

How do you hold the steering wheel? Using one hand to drink coffee, twiddle with the controls on the dashboard, with one hand loosely on the steering wheel is dangerous. If you do hold on with both hands – you are doing well – but there may be room for improvement. Always try to keep your thumbs on the outside of the steering wheel, with your hand at ten and two o-clock, for the best control.

Do you naturally drive fast in wet weather? Even if you know the road like the back of your hand, weather conditions may make it unsafe to travel even at the speed limit. Slippery roads, poor visibility all mean that you should reduce your speed to account for the poor driving conditions. Keep your headlights on in poor weather conditions -this will help to make your vehicle visible to others.

Do you put off filling your vehicle with fuel until it is near empty? It’s just too much bother to make that trip to the filling station – “I’ll do it next time”? It is really not a good idea to let your tank run that low – there could be sediment in the tank that could get into the fuel line and cause blockages, and in addition, you may run out of fuel altogether if your fuel gauge is not accurate. Being stranded and far from help is no joke – especially when it could have been easily prevented with a bit of forward planning.

Make sure that you have a well-equipped emergency kit in your car – and replace any items as they may be used.

Turning the music up to too high a volume can be quite dangerous. You may not be able to hear things happening around you – and with little advance warning you may need to react very quickly.

Don’t use you mobile phone while you are driving – even reading a message on your phone is terribly dangerous as you take your eyes off the road even for a second.

Stay safe on the roads by developing good driving habits!

For related reading, see our guide to ANCAP safety ratings and tips for getting familiar with a different car.

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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.

1 October 2017