Myths about tyres

We all know that selecting and maintaining the tyres on your vehicle is important, right? However, there are a number of misconceptions that vehicle owners may have, that may impact on the potential safety of you and your passengers. Here is an overview of some of them:

Myth #1: It is more important to replace your front tyres than your rear tyres

While it is important to have front tyres in good condition to assist with steering in a front wheel drive vehicle, it is also true that rear tyres provide most of the stability for your vehicle – for example, in braking or steering in wet conditions, rear tyres provide balance and stop your vehicle from spinning. If you only replace the front tyres, water will bounce off them onto the rear tyres, putting even more pressure on them.

Myth #2 Spare tyres or unused tyres don’t have to be replaced as long as there is enough tread left on them

Not so – each brand/manufacturer has different criteria for replacing tyres – some suggest replacing every 5 years regardless of the tread depth. If your vehicle has been idle for some time (years) – you should replace the tyres rather than just refilling them.

Myth #3: You don’t need to rotate your tyres

Tyres wear differently depending on the vehicle and location. Rotating your tyres will ensure that your tyres wear evenly – lasting longer.

Myth #4: Don’t buy used tyres

If you want to save a few dollars, and are looking for a replacement tyre for local daily driving or to replace a spare – you can consider used tyres. Know what you are looking for – check carefully for the year of manufacture (see myth #2) as well as any visible cuts or grazes that could impact the safety of the tyres. If you are not sure – buy new.

Myth #5 : If you over inflate your tyres they could burst

If you over inflate your tyres slightly the tyre should be fine – good quality tyres are manufactured to withstand partial increases past the recommended pressure – but you need to be aware of the fact that if you over inflate your tyres and you hit a pothole or bump in the road at speed, the tyre will have a bigger chance of a blowout.

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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.

6 August 2017