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Driving in a Winter Wonderland
In some parts of the country, no matter the season, sleet and surprise winter storms are the cause of auto insurance claims and other problems when you're driving. Regardless of when you may encounter winter driving
hazards, take a few moments to review some preparation pointers so that you can avoid winter weather auto insurance claims, and stay safe in wintry weather.
Your Winter Car Kit
If you think you’ll have to drive in snow, it's a good idea to have supplies in your car to help you dig out of a snowy parking space. If your vehicle is ever severely disabled in
winter weather, your winter car kit can help you safely pass the time while you wait for assistance to arrive.
- A small bag of sand or cat litter to use under your tires for traction
- A shovel, which you can use to clear snow from around your tires
- Tire chains or cables of the correct size
- A large flashlight and batteries, which can help you signal for help
- A blanket or sleeping bag (several if there are more than one or two people in the car)
- Waterproof matches and votive candles with stable bases
- Non-perishable food items (like high-energy protein bars, trail mixes with nuts and raisins)
- A coffee can, which can be used to melt snow for water if help is a really long time away
In addition, you should always carry the following items in your car year-round:
- A first aid kit
- A properly inflated spare tire
- Jumper cables, signal flares, and other car emergency items
(Note that you can buy pre-packaged roadside emergency kits containing such items from many hardware and automotive stores.)
If you're driving in areas with extremely harsh winter conditions that are also very remote, you should probably carry additional items, like extra winter clothes, food, a gas line
de-icer, assorted tools, and tow chains or straps.
Though most people don't have to wait long for roadside assistance, if you're driving in a remote area, help may take a while to get there. Be prepared to help yourself out of a snowy
situation, but take care not to overexert yourself when trying to get your car going.
Winterizing Your Car Insurance
Should you ever have to get your car towed due to winter weather, vehicle towing may be covered by your auto insurance policy’s Emergency Road
Service or Towing coverage. (This service is also typically covered if you’re a member of an auto club.)
If you live in an area where winter weather isn’t uncommon, you probably want to be sure you have towing or Emergency Road Service coverage as a part of your auto insurance policy or
motor club membership.
Car Preparation Checklist
When driving in extreme cold, your car needs extra care to ensure that it will even start and to help you avoid a winter-weather induced auto
insurance claim or injury.
--Engine Block Heaters
If you live in an area that typically experiences such temperatures in winter, investing in an engine block heater can be a good idea. Not only will
your car start in the morning, but it will also last longer due to decreased wear and tear on the engine.
--Winter Weight Oil
In winter conditions, your car also needs different oil. When you take your car in for an oil change, ask the person servicing your car for his/her
recommendation.
--Battery & Ignition Systems
Your battery and ignition systems should be in top working order. Be especially careful to check that your battery terminals are clean and in
good condition. Minor problems with your battery and ignition systems can become major ones in bouts of cold weather.
--Brakes
Your brakes should be inspected prior to driving in winter conditions. Make sure that brake wear and brake fluid levels are fine. If brakes are excessively worn
and/or the brake fluid level is too low, brakes can grab, which is s serious hazard on snow and ice.
--Tires
Of course, your tires are extremely important. If you live in an area where winter lasts an entire season or more, invest in winter tread tires that give you added
traction. If you'll be driving in remote areas, chains and studded tires may be authorized by state authorities for use. If so, use them.
--Visibility Systems
Always make sure that your cooling system, heater, defroster, wipers, and lights are functioning properly. Wipers and your defroster are crucial in
helping you maximize your visibility. Lights help ensure that others see you on the road.
--Less Obvious Things to Check
Other items to check are less obvious. Verify that your fuel and air filters are in top condition. In fact, it's best to check and replace these
items before cold weather begins. In chronically cold areas, water can get into your fuel lines due to condensation. If this happens, your car may not start. Add appropriate additives to your gas tank periodically
to avoid water in your fuel lines. Keeping a full tank of gas also helps
Your exhaust system should also be in proper working order. Damaged pipes can be deadly. Since you often drive with your car completely closed in winter, a malfunctioning exhaust system
can expose you and your passengers to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Negotiating Winter Roads
Auto insurance claims and injuries happen a lot in winter. Quite a few of these incidents are completely preventable.
First and most importantly, if winter conditions are prevalent, always reduce your speed and leave plenty of distance between your car and others. Road conditions may be icy, snowy, and
clear in parts, differences that may not always be visible to you. Always slow down to account for this unseen slickness factor in winter weather.
On wintry roads, it's best to avoid using cruise control. Cruise control settings are for roads in normal conditions; acceleration and deceleration are programmed as such. By using
cruise on winter roads, your car responds as if you are driving in normal conditions, which is not the case. This can be extremely dangerous.
If you have to drive in winter weather frequently, the next time you buy a car, think about purchasing a car with anti-lock brakes. These are designed to automatically pump the brakes
to prevent wheel lock-up. If you don't have anti-lock brakes on your car, you'll have to do this yourself. Gently pump the brakes rather than slamming the brake pedal to the car floor.
If you can't stop and have almost lost control of your car, remember that no one is typically fatally injured from hitting a snow bank. A lot of people do get seriously injured from
colliding with another car, however. If you slide off the road and get stuck in the snow, impatiently gunning your motor is one surefire way to get really stuck. Try and use higher gears to get out. Higher gears
apply less power to the drive wheels, meaning that your wheels spin less. If you hear that ominous whirring noise of spinning wheels, get out of your car, look at the situation, and try something else to free your
car.
Drivers of 4x4s and sports utility vehicles should also heed the above tips. Often, drivers of such vehicles are over-confident in poor driving conditions, which leads to serious
accidents.
By respecting the fact that both your vehicle and your auto insurance need to be winterized, you’ll be ready for winter and will able to enjoy a winter wonderland without the problem
of stalled or stuck cars, auto insurance claims or injury.
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