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Top Car Insurance Claims in the Winter

by Bluefire Editor - July 12, 2019
Front view of traffic with cars in a snowy road

Winter can be a beautiful time of the year, but it does bring an increased risk of your car being damaged. Some of these risks can be hard to avoid, but being smart about your driving habits can increase your chances of making it through winter unscathed.

The following are a few of the insurance claims most commonly filed during the winter.

Accidents Because of Ice

One of the quickest ways you can get into an accident in the winter is by unexpectedly hitting a patch of ice. When you hit a patch of ice, you can slide into a parked vehicle, the car in front of you, a telephone pole, or even off the road.

There are a few ways you can minimize the chance of losing control in icy conditions.

  • Slow down. One of the easiest ways to stay in control is to maintain a safe driving speed.
  • Use winter tires. Winter tires are designed to expel water and snow from your tires to help improve traction. You can take it a step further by using studded tires.
  • Maintain a safe distance. Maintain more distance between you and the car in front of you than you normally would in case you slide when you brake.
  • Brake correctly. Modern vehicle all use ABS, which require you to just press firmly on the brake pedal. If you have an older vehicle, brake until just before the wheels start to lock, and if they do, release some pressure.

Tree Damage

You may think parking under a tree will save you some work from cleaning the snow off of your car, but it can be a dangerous idea. When there is a large amount of snow or ice, it can build up on the branches and cause the limbs to snap off. These limbs usually end up falling on a car, causing an expensive claim.

Try some of these ways to avoid tree damage.

  • Trim your trees. Hire a tree trimmer to remove dead branches or trees that overhang parking areas to minimize the chance of falling limbs.
  • Watch the forecast. You can avoid parking under trees if you know there is a large amount of snow or ice on the way.
  • Have comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive insurance will cover damage from trees, but you will have to pay your deductible.

Damage From Potholes

Potholes are another common car insurance claim in the winter. Potholes are created by the constant freezing and thawing of the roads, which create larger and larger holes. When cars drive over these holes, there can be tire damage or worse.

There are a couple of ways to avoid pothole damage.

  • Pay attention to the road. Be on constant watch while driving. You should be able to spot a pothole with enough time to turn out of the way and avoid any potential damage.
  • Slow down. If you know you can’t avoid a pothole, drive through it slowly. The slower you drive through the hole, the less likely you are to damage your tire or rim.

You can do your best to avoid these causes of winter damage if you be pay attention.

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