The phrase “written off” is used to legally define those vehicles that are so badly damaged in a car-accident or otherwise that to repair them is impossible, or simply too expensive. Vehicles are categorised as “written off” in circumstances where, because of that irreparable damage, they are considered too dangerous to keep registered and on the road.
While written off vehicles are not a common result of a car accident, they can happen in serious car accidents and it is important that you are aware of the effects of your vehicle being written off, and that you understand your rights and responsibilities in connection with it occurring.
Firstly, you should be aware that writing off a vehicle will result in the formal process of your vehicle being recorded onto the registers of written off vehicles, which are kept by the states and territories. The recording of this data is instigated normally by the person or entity that assesses the condition of your vehicle.
When a vehicle is written off, and is recorded on the state or territory registries for written off vehicles, it is stripped for parts and scrap metal and is permanently classed as “de-registered” and cannot be re-registered unless its condition meets certain criteria (which generally vary from state to state).
If your vehicle is involved in an accident that causes it to be written off, it is likely there will be a period of time during which you will need to find a permanent replacement vehicle. The length of this period will obviously depend on your financial circumstances and any delays on the part of the insurers and other external entities involved in the process.
To alleviate the stress caused to you during this period, Acorn offers a temporary replacement vehicle service that guarantees like-for-like replacement vehicles.
What this means for you is that after your vehicle is written off and during the replacement process, we will provide you with a ‘like-for-like’ vehicle that matches or suits the make and model of the vehicle you’re used to driving. And if you were not at fault for the accident, we will provide this service for free and claim our costs directly from the other driver’s insurer.
Click here to learn more about our like-for-like replacement vehicle service, or call our friendly customer service team on 1300 22 67 67 and recover from a written off vehicle with Acorn.