Do You Get Rego Back If Your Car Is Written Off

When your car is written off, either due to an accident, theft, or other major damage, many vehicle owners wonder about their registration, commonly known as “rego” in Australia. It’s a common question: can you get a refund for your unused registration if your car is declared a total loss? This guide explains how rego works in such situations, what you can claim, and the steps to follow.

What Does “Written Off” Mean

A car is considered written off when the cost to repair it exceeds its market value, or if it’s unsafe to repair. Insurance companies usually declare a vehicle a total loss based on:

• Repair cost vs. car value – If repair costs are higher than the car’s current market value.
• Safety concerns – Structural damage that makes the car unsafe even after repairs.
• Insurance assessment – The insurer decides it’s uneconomical to repair.

Once a car is written off, it is usually deregistered, and you cannot legally drive it.

Can You Get Your Rego Back?

The short answer is yes, but with conditions. In Australia, vehicle registration is managed by state and territory governments. If your car is written off and you no longer need it registered, you may be entitled to a pro-rata refund for the unused portion of your registration period.

How Refunds Are Calculated

The refund depends on:

1. Registration type – Full year, half year, or monthly.
2. Time remaining – How many months are left on your registration.
3. Admin fees – Some states deduct a processing fee.
4. Insurance claims – If your insurance company handles the write-off, they may assist with registration cancellation.

For example, if you paid $600 for a 12-month registration and your car is written off after 6 months, you might get around $300 back, minus any admin fees.

Steps to Claim a Rego Refund

  Notify your insurer – Let them know your car is written off. They can guide you on the next steps.

  Get a write-off certificate – The insurer will issue a Certificate of Total Loss, required for registration cancellation.

  Check your registration status – A quick rego check confirm your vehicle’s current registration details before submitting a refund request.

  Contact your state or territory authority – For example:

• NSW – Service NSW
• Victoria – VicRoads
• Queensland – Department of Transport and Main Roads
• South Australia – SA Government Registration Services

  Submit documents – Include your write-off certificate, registration papers, proof of identity, and any required refund forms.

  Cancel your registration – The authority will process your request and calculate the refund.

  Receive your refund – Typically via the original payment method or cheque.

Important Points to Remember

• Timing matters – Some states only allow refunds if the registration is cancelled within a certain period after the write-off.
• Insurance coverage – If your insurance includes a “rego reimbursement” clause, your insurer may claim the refund directly.
• No driving allowed – Once the car is written off, it must not be driven on public roads.

State-Specific Rego Refund Rules

• NSW – You can claim a refund for full months remaining. Partial months are not refundable. A $15 processing fee applies.
• Victoria – Refund is calculated on a daily basis minus a $15 fee.
• Queensland – Refund includes any remaining full months after deducting a $50 fee.
• Western Australia – Refund is proportional to months left, admin fees apply.

Conclusion

Yes, you can get your registration back if your car is written off, but the process varies depending on your state or territory. Always notify both your insurer and your local transport authority, keep all documentation, and follow the required steps. Doing so ensures you get the refund you are entitled to and avoid unnecessary legal issues with your written-off vehicle.