14 January 2018

Snakes and your car

“What on earth would snakes have to do with your car?”, you may ask. Well, earlier this year a Sydney motorist had to deal with a venomous red-bellied black snake that had slithered into the engine of his car. This particular snake is a native of eastern Australia, and can grow up to 2.5 meters – one of Australia’s largest venomous snakes. Snakes are found all over Australia – not only in the outback – so you would do well to be prepared for the scenario that our Sydney motorist faced.

Snakes are cold-blooded reptiles; they require external heat to keep warm. Snakes in the wild enjoy sunbathing on rocks under direct sunlight; snakes living in human-occupied areas are attracted to cars that are easily heated by the sun. Snakes use heated cars to sunbathe like they do in the wild. Removing snakes from a car is dangerous, especially if they are poisonous.

So, firstly – prevention is better than cure, right? How do you keep snakes out of your car? Be sure to keep your doors and windows of your car closed when your car is parked – and try not to park your car near long grass or heavily wooded or swampy areas. If a snake is going to set up home in your car, it is most likely that it will head for the engine area which is nice and warm, rather than the inside of the car. As long as your doors and windows are closed, when you return to your car a quick check under the bonnet will reveal whether you have any uninvited guests of the slithering variety, or not.

What are you to do if, as was the case for our Sydney motorist, you lift the bonnet and low and behold – a coiled up snake is warming itself in your engine? The answer is to leave the snake alone, and call a snake catcher. Removing a snake may seem to be a simple operation – but, given that Australia is home to more venomous species of snakes that non-venomous snakes, if you haven’t removed a snake before, you could get killed very quickly.

So – along with contact details for your insurance, roadside assistance etc, add the number for your local snake catcher to your phone.

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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.

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What It Means When Your Car Is Declared A Write-Off After An Accident

If your car has been involved in an accident, you may hear the term “write-off” from your insurance company or repairer. But what does it actually mean when your car is declared a write-off? Understanding this process can help you make informed decisions about your car, repairs and costs.

A car is considered a write-off when the cost to repair it after an accident is too high compared to its market value. Insurance companies often calculate the repair cost and compare it to the car’s value prior to the accident. If the repair cost is more than a certain percentage of the car’s value, typically around 60–75%, the car may be classified as a write-off. This doesn’t always mean your car is completely destroyed; sometimes the car could technically be repaired, but the cost would outweigh the benefits.

There are different types of write-offs. A total loss write-off is when the car is so badly damaged that repairing it is not financially viable. A repairable write-off is when the car can be fixed, but it requires significant repairs. In either case, the insurance company will usually pay out the car’s value at the time of the accident, minus any applicable excess or deductions.

The cost implications of a write-off can vary. If your car is declared a write-off, you may need to consider the cost of replacing it with another car. Some car owners opt to keep a repairable write-off, but this comes with the added repair costs, which can be substantial depending on the extent of the damage. Repair costs can quickly add up, especially if the accident involved structural damage or expensive parts.

It’s also important to understand that a car that has been written off may have a lower resale value even after repairs. Future buyers often view written-off cars as higher risk, which can affect the cost of insurance and overall value.

If your car is declared a write-off after an accident, speak with your insurance provider to understand your options. You may receive a payout for the car’s value, and in some cases, you can negotiate repair costs or even retain the car if it is repairable. Knowing what a write-off means, how it affects repair costs, and how it impacts the car’s value can save you time, money and stress after an accident.

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