Staying safe on the roads

If you are embarking on a long trip this December, make sure that your car is roadworthy and all the mechanics have been checked over by a qualified mechanic.

Start out with a clean car (you will feel better if this is the case), and don’t overload your vehicle. If you pack too much, you and your passengers will feel very cramped in the car, and it won’t be an easy task to find things you have packed. It will also take longer to unpack when you reach load limit. destination, and most importantly, you run the risk of exceeding your vehicle’s safe load limit – your car’s suspension will be put under extra strain making your car potentially difficult to handle and your brakes won’t function as effectively as they should to name but a few of the problems associated with overloading.

Take along a stocked roadside emergency kit, some food for the road and a sunhat and jersey or jacket in case you happen to be stranded on the side of the road at any time.

Always ensure that you and your passengers wear seat belts – and don’t turn off that annoying alarm that warns you that someone in the vehicle has not buckled up.

Drive at the recommended speed limit for the road you are on, taking into account the weather conditions. If the weather is bad – slow down. If the weather gets really bad – find a place to stop and wait until it eases.

Don’t drive when you are tired. A drowsy driver is just as dangerous as a drunk driver – take turns with another driver in the car, or if this isn’t possible, pull over and get some sleep.

Pay 100% attention to your driving – no mobile phones, fiddling with the entertainment options and so on. Leave that to your passengers, and concentrate on getting you all to your destination safely.

If the road is busy, maintain a following distance appropriate for the road and weather conditions – and a minimum 2 second gap between you and the car in front of you.

There is not a lot that you can do to change the way that other drivers behave on the roads – but you can focus on your own driving, and a little care and courtesy will go a long way to keeping you and your passengers safer on the roads.

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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.

3 December 2017