With Storm Emma about, for the first time ever parts of Scotland, England and Wales have been issued with ‘Red’ weather warnings.
Weather warnings are issued by the Met Office based on the potential danger that can be caused by the weather.
The three warning colours are yellow, amber and red; with red signifying the most severe and dangerous.
The myth of your car insurance being invalidated when driving in weather warning issued zones
The press have thrown stories about your car insurance being invalidated if you drive in ‘Amber’ and ‘Red’ weather warning issued zones.
This is of course not true.
As long as you drive safely and prepare your vehicle in the correct manner, then your car insurance policy will cover your vehicle should an accident occur.
If you are worried about your policy, then it is advisable to check the terms and agreements of the car insurance premium to ensure you are fully covered for driving in adverse weather conditions.
Preparation for safe driving in bad weather
It is up to you to fully prepare your car before driving in bad weather.
In the unfortunate circumstance that you are involved in a car accident, you need to be able to prove to your insurer that any damage was unavoidable.
If for example you do not properly de-ice your car, which results in you causing an accident because your vision was not clear, then your insurer has grounds to refuse to payout.
As part of your preparation for safe driving in bad weather, you should:
- Remove snow and ice off every glass panel before driving
- Ensure your car is fully MOTed
- Change to winter tyres (UK cars are fitted with summer tyres by default)
- Leave early so you do not rush when driving
- Plan multiple driving routes in case of road closures or unforeseeable accidents
- Use your headlights when driving in snow
- Drive slower by 10 mph, but this can be as low as half the regular speed limit depending on the situation
- Use common sense, especially for your driving speed
- Increase the distance between you and the car in front in case of skidding when slowing down
- Always break steadily. Never slam on your breaks, especially when you are skidding.
If you are driving in areas that have been issued with weather warnings, please do so safely and slowly, and be very alert! Take care!
Sources
1. https://www.idrivesafely.com/driving-resources/how-to/drive-in-the-snow/
2. https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/winter-driving/driving-in-snow/
3. http://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/trendingacrossscotland/16055685.Is_your_car_insurance_still_valid_during_a_red_weather_warning_/
4. https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/925121/car-insurance-invalidated-driving-in-snow-driveway
5. https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/motoring/aa-busts-myth-driving-weather-1279962
Image source
1. https://pixabay.com/en/car-light-snow-weather-winter-3013041/