TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011
The auto insurance industry maybe afraid of the abundance of accidents that happen during this time of year, but there are simple things you can do to make sure you don’t become part of these statistics. Winter is a time of snowball fights and snowman building, not auto insurance claims and hospital visits. Five great tips to get you to your destination with little stress are:
1. Drive courteously. You should already be driving in a safe and courteous manner, but the winter months are even more reason to respect your fellow driver. Things like driving with your lights on when it is snowing, merging left so oncoming traffic can get on the freeway easily, and even stopping at a red light with a car length of space between you and the vehicle in front of you are all courteous things you can do. Remember, nobody wants to deal with auto insurance hikes due to careless driving, or you just being mean on the road.
2. Have your car inspected. You should have your car inspected before the weather gets very rough. Having properly functioning breaks will only help in keeping you on the roads and out of the auto insurance agent’s office. Those of you who will drive in real cold climates should have your antifreeze checked as well. It is cheaper to pay for a full car checkup than it is to pay the fees of an accident, or hikes in your auto insurance due to issues on the road.
3. Get appropriate tires. Winter tires may not have you taking corners like an Indy car, but they can keep you on the road and out of an auto insurance headache. There are tires geared for snow, and even some designed to handle ice. Getting tires that are designed for your most common driving conditions not only give you a leg up on Mother Nature, but they can also help you with simple driving tasks like climbing a snow-covered hill. Some states may even stress tire chains. If your state allows these, be sure you have them and know how to install them. The last thing you want to do is find yourself fighting these devices in the middle of a blizzard.
4. Take a winter driving course. One of the simplest things you can do is take a winter driving course every year. You maybe a skilled winter driver, but a refresher course never hurts. The most you lose out on is a bit of your time. Taking a winter driving course may even save you some money on your auto insurance policy. These courses are very beneficial for everyone from the new driver to the oldest driver in the family.
5. Drive below your abilities. You may have 30 years under you belt for driving in adverse condition, but that is no reason not to be cautious. Driving below your abilities are simple things like driving slower, keeping both hands on the wheel, keeping a safe distance between you and your fellow driver, or just not driving if you feel hesitant about safety. Nobody can ever fault you for opting out of driving in the interest of safety.
Posted 8:01 PM