The arrival of winter can prove to be a testing time for insurance companies, with
car insurance claims peaking during the winter months.
Darker evenings and icy road conditions all contribute to a dramatic increase in insurance claims.
Car insurance company research reports that claims increased by as much as 130,000 during November 2006, when compared to the previous month.
Treacherous road conditions aren’t the only thing drivers should be wary of during the winter months. Police have warned that car thieves operate during the winter season, intentionally prowling residential areas on the look out for cars left unattended to warm up during the cold weather.
It may seem like a good idea to keep yourself warm inside while your car warms up, but this kind of practice could prove to be extremely costly;
car insurance companies are unlikely to pay up for a car that is stolen in this manner, which often leaves victims in a serious financial difficulty.
So, what can you do during the winter months to avoid becoming a victim?
Well, the obvious answer is to not leave your car unattended. You can leave your engine running while you defrost your windscreen if you want, maybe to aid in warming the car up so the ice melts quicker, but once your windscreen is sufficiently clear, it’s best to just get in and drive.
Leaving an engine to warm up, even in cold weather, is a very old fashioned way of doing things. Car engines and engine oil has advanced over the years, meaning that it’s now perfectly fine to drive away as soon as the engine starts. It’s good to wait a few miles for the engine to warm up before accelerating to any great speeds but that’s about the only precaution you need to take.
