Minor vs Major Accidents

Has a car accident gotten you down recently? It’s often a time in many people’s lives where they discover which people and companies are there to help - and which ones are not. It’s also a time when people find themselves needing to learn everything that they possibly can about insurance, car accidents, witness statements, claim management, legal requirements etc - the list is endless. And that is only the start, there is a mountain of admin that usually comes with a car accident.

Any accident can be a scary and traumatic experience for most - but there are some accidents that are just minor inconveniences and others that take years to come to grips with. And the steps that you need to follow may differ slightly depending on whether you’ve been in a minor accident vs a major car accident.

A minor accident could be something as simple as a bumper bash - Here are a couple of steps to take after a minor accident:

Turn off your engine and take a breather. Even a minor accident or bumper bashing can be upsetting to most, especially if it catches you off guard!
Remember to switch your hazard lights on.
It’s a good idea to make sure that everyone in your vehicle is ok and then to check on those in the other cars.
Be sure to move your car out of the way if it’s safe to do so.
Swap your details with all other drivers involved in the accident and with any witnesses that may have seen the accident.
Take pictures of the cars and accident scene.
If no one has been injured and your car is safe to drive, you can drive home.
Give us a call! We’ll be able to help with your insurance claim management.

More serious accidents can mean that your car is likely unsafe to drive - in this case, it will be important to tow your car. We can help you with contacting a tow company who will help you get your car to the nearest repair facility. And if you were not at fault, we will help you with an accident replacement vehicle!

To understand the assessment and next steps, read our guide to car write-offs and insurance claim preparation checklist.

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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.

8 March 2021