The Most Common Car Insurance Claim, and How to Avoid it!

“Many of our clients are surprised to find out that if you lose control and hit a snow bank because of bad road conditions, it will be considered an at fault accident,” says Philippe Marcotte, Claims adjuster in personal-lines damage insurance at belairdirect’s Montreal office.

The Farmer’s Almanac predicts more of the same icy-cold weather for the rest of the winter. Have no fear, because confidence is the key to being a great driver and now is the time to strengthen your winter driving skills.

If you have to travel in bad weather...

  • Slow down! Posted speed limits are for ideal conditions and even when maintenance crews have passed, salt won’t work as effectively at temperatures below -11 C
  • Reduce your speed even more when approaching bridges, overpasses, tunnels, and intersections where black ice is more probable
  • Start in second gear if you have a manual transmission
  • Don’t use cruise control
  • Increase your following distance. To check it, choose a reference point and when the rear of the vehicle in front of you passes this point, count the seconds it takes your vehicle to reach it. If it takes you less than four seconds, slow down
  • Keep it smooth. Accelerate slowly and brake slowly. Don’t make abrupt moves in order to avoid skidding and confusing other drivers
  • Remember: A good driver anticipates crises and tries to avoid them

If you start to skid...

  • Take your foot off the gas Car Accident Icy Roads
  • Disengage the motor if there’s time: declutch if you have a manual transmission, or shift to neutral if you have an automatic transmission
  • Brake:
    If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump them. Simply hold the pedal down as far as possible, and expect to feel it vibrating, until you come to a full stop.
    If you don’t have anti-lock brakes (ABS) gradually apply pressure to the pedal; NEVER slam on it. Release and repeat, slowly enough not to lock the wheels, quickly enough to reduce speed effectively. The best way is to put your heel on the floor and use your toes to press the pedal
  • Look and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go
  • Turn on your four-way flashers

“It seems most drivers don’t adjust their mindset to winter conditions,” explained Suchinder Singh, Director of belairdirect Claims Service Centre in Toronto. “Take your time, slow down, keep calm and try to anticipate every possibility. It’s key to getting around safely this winter.”

Take a refresher on what you know about insurance with our ABCs of coverage, and see what insurance coverage is best for your needs.