Not only are the winter months upon us, but so is the travel season. As everyone makes plans to trek to far-off places, some of the worst weather of the year occurs. As such, winter can turn into a busy time for auto insurance companies. However, you can take steps to prepare your car for winter to reduce your risk of having to file a claim. In the process, you may even be able to pick up a discount from your insurance provider.
Winterize your Car – We are all familiar with that winter-morning situation: you are running late and the engine won’t start. The cold winter weather is rough on your car, so anything you can do to protect it, will help keep it in running condition. Make sure your car has the proper levels of all necessary fluids (especially antifreeze). Replace or repair safety parts – like windshield wipers, headlights, and brakes – to reduce your risk of a winter accident. You will also want to make sure that all the routine maintenance for your vehicle is up to date to avoid breakdowns.
Safe Snow Driving – If you must drive through snow, exercise extreme caution. Drive slowly, keep your headlights lights (and fog lights, if applicable) on, and pull over if conditions get too dangerous. Proper turning is important to keep in mind while driving in snowy conditions, as your vehicle is most at risk for losing control. Apply your brakes before turning, and then release them to complete your turn. Using your brakes during a turn causes your tires to stop moving. Without the friction and grip of a turning tire, your vehicle can slide along the ice and cause a dangerous situation for you and your car.
Upgrade to Winter Tires – a good set of winter tires may be expensive, but they can be worth the investment. Not only will they give your car better control in winter conditions, but they may make you eligible for a discount on your auto insurance.
This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
