Winter is the most hated season for drivers. Driving on slippery and icy roads can be dangerous and increase the likelihood of getting into an accident. There are many myths about winter insurance coverage. Many of these myths are false and can lead to financial ruin.
All the truth about car insurance, winter weather, and accidents!
Even if the accident was caused by weather, your insurance rates could rise. There is a popular myth that your insurance rates won’t be affected by such an accident. You will still be responsible for any injury, damage or other event that resulted from your driving.
The Ontario Fault Determination rules do not allow for weather conditions to be excluded. It is important to keep this in mind, as it affects the way insurance companies view accidents. It could cause a chain reaction if you slip on ice while driving. Your car could hit another vehicle, shred a sign, and then crash into another car. You will still be responsible even if you only slipped on an ice patch.
Even if you followed all traffic rules at the time of the accident, and even if your speed was not an issue, some police officers might be more lenient in issuing traffic tickets due to weather conditions. But don’t expect to be able to bend any other rules. You might want to think carefully about whether it is safe to drive in icy conditions.
The type of winter tires you use can have an impact on your car insurance rates. You can save money on your auto insurance by talking to your agent. Winter tires can be discounted by some insurance companies for motorists who use them during certain months. Winter tires come with studs that allow motorists to have better traction in snowy and icy conditions. This reduces the chance of motorists being involved in an accident.
Comprehensive coverage may not cover damage to your vehicle due to weather. Comprehensive insurance provides coverage for damage to your vehicle that is not caused by collision. Comprehensive insurance covers you for losses due to fire, theft, hail and falling objects. Comprehensive insurance will pay you for damages to your windshield caused by rock chips. Collision can be defined as hitting another object or turning. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, your vehicle may not be fixed if it is damaged by a snowstorm.
Your insurance policy will only cover liability. This means that your policy won’t cover repairs to your vehicle. Talk to your agent to ensure that your winter weather insurance covers you. Safety is paramount in winter. Your insurance company may be able help you repair your vehicle. However, there might be some damage that cannot be repaired.
Keep your winter driving safe and allow plenty of time for you to get there. You can learn winter driving techniques and take a winter defensive driving class to reduce your chances of getting into an accident.