Winter driving is hazardous to people and their pocketbooks. Auto accidents are a leading cause of fatalities and injuries on icy and snowy days – and making matters worse, car insurance companies typically raise their rates after crashes.
As temperatures fall, how can you stay safe and keep your car insurance costs low? Follow these tips from experienced winter drivers.
1) When possible, avoid driving on ice and snow. Most errands can be postponed until streets are salted and plowed.
2) Use snow tires to better grip the road.
3) Clear your windows completely. Visibility is extremely important, and especially on days when other drivers’ actions are less predictable.
4) Clear the roof, hood, and trunk of your car. Snow could move to the windows and block your visibility.
5) Drive slowly. Winter road surfaces are deceiving. For instance, powdery white snow can mask slippery ice.
6) Know how to skid safely. Steer into the skid; people spin out of control when they work against it. Read your owner’s manual to learn how to handle your brakes in a skid situation. If other drivers or pedestrians are nearby, honk your horn as an alert.
It’s best to avoid driving during wintry weather, but there are many steps that drivers can take to avoid tragic accidents. For more tips about staying safe in your car this season, see this FEMA website.
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Keep Car Insurance Costs Low with Smart Winter Driving | Low Cost Car Insurance, If you have difficulty drawing up this list, you can seek the advice of a financial planner – preferably one who charges a fee but does not sell products. Or, you can use the “calculators” that are available on many financial and insurance company websites.