Do Car Insurance Rates Go Up In The Winter?
Winter is coming.
So are icy roads, snowdrifts and spinouts.
When it comes to winter and auto insurance, there are some interesting misconceptions. Some people believe that during the winter months, insurance prices go up because of the poor driving conditions.
Not true. Winter does not make auto insurance more expensive. While there’s no “special time of year” for auto insurance rates, data from The Zebra suggests December is the cheapest month to buy car insurance.
Living in a state with unpredictable weather patterns will likely mean you pay a higher premium for your insurance than your friends who live in more temperate climates. This is because bad weather like snow, freezing rain, wind, and ice may damage the vehicle, and icy roads mean more risk.
Which insurance is influenced by the weather?
Comprehensive auto insurance is the only policy influenced by weather. Comprehensive insurance pays benefits if the vehicle is damaged by natural disasters, extreme weather or by vandalism, animals, flooding and fire.
If you live in an area that’s prone to extreme weather (looking at you, people in “Tornado Alley”), comprehensive auto insurance is a good investment, however, it can be more expensive in areas that have to cope with severe weather more often.
What is a tornado?
A tornado is a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. Because wind is invisible, it is hard to see a tornado unless it forms a condensation funnel made up of water droplets, dust and debris. Tornadoes can be among the most violent phenomena of all atmospheric storms we experience.
National Severe Storms Laboratory
4 Tips for Safe Winter Driving:
- Check the weather and travel conditions before heading out. If the weather is bad, be safe and wait for conditions to improve.
- Increase your following distance and don’t slam on the brakes. It is scientifically proven that winter tires increase traction in winter driving conditions.
- If you are trapped in a snowstorm, don’t freak out. That will tire you out and make you sweat. Stay calm, avoid exposure to the elements and remain in your car. Run the engine once in a while, stay awake, and keep looking for traffic or emergency personnel.
- Keep an Emergency Car Kit in the trunk or your vehicle, including a road map, flashlight, first-aid kit, blanket and shovel.
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