As reported by Aviva Canada Inc.
Toronto, ON – Driving in bad weather conditions poses many challenges to Canadian drivers, and as the country is getting ready for another winter, Aviva Canada Inc., one of the major insurance providers in Canada, reminds motorists to exercise caution on the road.
According to historical data, Aviva registers an average increase of over 38% in customer claims during the winter months compared to the rest of the year. From December 2007 to February 2008, Aviva Canada paid over 38.5 million dollars in claims related to bad weather, slippery roads and zero-visibility conditions. Historically, the first snowfall of the year has always seen the highest number of collisions.
“Although Canadians are used to driving in the winter, the first snow fall of the year can prove very dangerous, even for the most experienced drivers,” explains Jim Haskins, Executive Vice President of Claims and Procurement, Aviva Canada. “Icy roads cause vehicles to skid and slide, which is the main cause of collisions, especially at the start of the season.”
Results also indicate that on average 5.6% of policyholders file a claim during the winter months compared to 4.1% the rest of the year. Snow, sleet and black ice often force motorists to concentrate on the road directly ahead of them, which means they pay less attention to what’s going on around the vehicle. This is why collisions and fender benders occur more frequently.
Here are a few tips from Aviva on what Canadian motorists can to do to protect themselves and reduce damage-related costs resulting from an accident.
photo:Jupiter Images
Toronto, ON – Driving in bad weather conditions poses many challenges to Canadian drivers, and as the country is getting ready for another winter, Aviva Canada Inc., one of the major insurance providers in Canada, reminds motorists to exercise caution on the road.
According to historical data, Aviva registers an average increase of over 38% in customer claims during the winter months compared to the rest of the year. From December 2007 to February 2008, Aviva Canada paid over 38.5 million dollars in claims related to bad weather, slippery roads and zero-visibility conditions. Historically, the first snowfall of the year has always seen the highest number of collisions.
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“Although Canadians are used to driving in the winter, the first snow fall of the year can prove very dangerous, even for the most experienced drivers,” explains Jim Haskins, Executive Vice President of Claims and Procurement, Aviva Canada. “Icy roads cause vehicles to skid and slide, which is the main cause of collisions, especially at the start of the season.”
Results also indicate that on average 5.6% of policyholders file a claim during the winter months compared to 4.1% the rest of the year. Snow, sleet and black ice often force motorists to concentrate on the road directly ahead of them, which means they pay less attention to what’s going on around the vehicle. This is why collisions and fender benders occur more frequently.
Here are a few tips from Aviva on what Canadian motorists can to do to protect themselves and reduce damage-related costs resulting from an accident.
- Don’t take any risks. If you don’t need to be on the road, stay home.
- Invest in winter tires and new wiper blades. Winter tires enable drivers to stop their vehicle 40% faster than all-season tires.
- Prepare an emergency kit at the beginning of the season and keep it in the trunk of your car. The kit should contain a flashlight, a blanket, a snow shovel, windshield washer fluid and antifreeze, emergency flares and booster cables.
- Drive slowly and keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.
- Check road conditions before getting behind the wheel.
- Program the number of a towing company into your cell phone before the first snowfall.
photo:Jupiter Images