Will my future car insurance premiums be affected by a write-off?

Every time you make a claim on your car insurance, there is a chance your premiums will increase, even if you aren’t at fault. If you’re found to be at fault for a write-off, this will appear on your driving history to insurers and could significantly increase your car insurance costs when it’s time to renew your policy or take out a fresh one.

Can I keep a repairable written-off car?

Your insurer may allow you to keep a repairable write-off, which you may wish to repair or salvage parts yourself. However, not all write-offs can be re-registered and different states and territories have different rules around this, so it’s important to check which rules apply where you live. For example, in the ACT, the car must pass a roadworthy test and undergo a vehicle identity inspection before registration. New South Wales , meanwhile, has much more stringent rules and will only re-register a written-off car in very limited circumstances.

Can I buy a written-off car?

It may be possible to buy a written-off car, which may present a cheaper option when looking for a used car to buy. How much a repairable write-off is worth will be affected by its ‘repaired write-off’ status as recorded on the WOVR, which is designed to protect buyers and prevent them from purchasing a written-off vehicle. However, it’s important to factor in significant repair costs, higher insurance premiums and, should you decide to sell it, a lower resale value before buying a written-off vehicle.

Can I insure a repairable write-off?

You may be able to insure a repairable write-off if it’s been repaired and re-registered, although your insurance options may be limited. Furthermore, your costs may increase, as the vehicle’s history and condition will be taken into account. It may be worth checking with different insurers to see if they can cover your written-off vehicle.

How much damage is required to write off a car?

In Australia, the amount of damage required to write off a car depends on various factors. A car can be written off if the damage is too severe and there isn’t any way it would ever be safe to drive again – for example, if it was in a major crash or damaged by fire. However, a car can also be deemed a write-off if the cost of repairs exceeds the value of the car, even if the car could be fixed. For instance, an older car that has suffered damage, even if only relatively minor, could still be written off if it's deemed uneconomical to repair.

How can I check if the car I’m buying is a write-off?

In Australia, details of all written-off cars are entered into the WOVR in the state/territory you live in. If you’re planning to buy a used car but don’t know its history, you can contact your state’s transport department with the vehicle’s details to check whether it's been written off or check the Australian Government’s Personal Properties Security Register (PPSR). This also helps ensure you don’t end up buying a car that has been ‘rebirthed’, which is when the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of a written-off car is used on a stolen vehicle to give it a new identity.