Car Insurance Driving in wintry weather

Friday, 22 January 2010

Those looking to avoid a claim on their car insurance will no doubt want to be wary of the snow following the recent wintry chaos. While the worst seems to have passed, there could be more trouble on the way and motorists will want to watch out.

Manufacturers helping out
Luckily, there is a profusion of advice available so drivers can avoid having to deal with any irksome motor insurance issues. Even manufacturers are offering extra help in a bid to help out their customers.

One such car maker is Skoda, which has just offered free winter health check to all customers, after warning that sub-zero temperatures can seriously damage vehicles, thereby making them not worthy of road use. These check-ups include an inspection of the battery, coolant levels, windscreen wipers and tyres.

John Bower, Skoda head of aftersales, said that such checks as those offered by the manufacturer can take as little as 20 minutes. They may help prevent drivers being stuck on the side of the road for hours this winter or even lower the risk of being in an accident, which would no doubt ease concerns over car insurance.

"After a period of extreme weather, like the UK recently experienced, it is essential that motorists carry out some basic checks to ensure their car is safe, legal and roadworthy," Mr Bower explained.

Tyre safety
Tyres are of particular concern and as a result TyreSafe has said that those opting for a cold weather option will see benefits. These tyres are designed to provide the best possible performance and maximum safety when temperatures drop below seven degrees Celsius.

Stuart Jackson, chairman at TyreSafe has claimed that there is a misconception that cold weather tyres are not appropriate for UK motorists.

"This couldn't be further from the truth. Cold weather tyres provide much better grip in both wet and dry conditions when the temperature falls below seven degrees, so they offer extra safety typically from October through to March."

Kwik-Fit has recommended the fairly simple 20p piece tread check. If the coin's outer border is showing when inserted into the tread, then the tyre could be reaching the legal limit and should be checked by a specialist.

Driving tips
There are a number of techniques that motorists can adopt in order to stay safe on snow-swept roads.

Moneysupermarket.com has recommended that drivers should leave an adequate distance between themselves and other motorists, given that stopping distances are ten times longer in the snow. It also said that a constant speed should be maintained, while changing gear should be avoided as much as possible, particularly when driving up or down hill.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists last month suggested driving smoothly to avoid any skids. The organisation said that drivers should never brake if skidding, regardless of how strong the temptation is.

Preparation
For those that do have to bear the pain of being stranded, being prepared could prove vital.

"When setting off on any journey make sure you have a fully charged mobile phone, but also take your own 'sub-zero pack' which should include a phone charger, ensuring that you're able to make the necessary emergency calls and let concerned friends and family know you're safe," recommended David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit.

Despite this kind of advice, many drivers appear not to be getting the hint. A Kwik-Fit poll indicated that 16 per cent of motorists do not take special emergency supplies or equipment, with a startling 80 per cent not taking extra winter clothes with them on their journey.

More problems?
In recent days, the Met Office has just predicted that heavy rain, combined with thawing snow and ice in northern parts of the UK, could lead to localised flooding. So perhaps there are more concerns for drivers are on the way, but hopefully they will take on board some of the advice that is available to them in abundance.

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