Snowstorm: towing insurance,
safety precautions can save you headaches
SEATTLE - The latest snowstorm has
wreaked havoc across Northwest roads, leaving a strewn of
accidents and abandoned vehicles in its path.
Auto Insurance can help aleviate
many of the financial headaches caused by car accidents, depending
on your coverage and deductibles.
"Winter driving conditions can range
from normal, dry roads to snow and ice within several miles,
depending on where you're going," said Karl Newman, NW Insurance
Council president. "Drivers heading for winter sports activities,
or crossing the mountains to visit friends and relatives,
can see the weather change in minutes."
Consider towing coverage as a safeguard
in the event you do slide off of the road or you're involved
in an accident. Most auto insurance policies do not automatically
cover towing. Towing coverage is usually available for $10
to $20 more per year and also provides towing for other hazards
such as vehicle breakdown.
Check your policy or call your insurance
company or agent to verify whether or not you have towing
coverage.
It's important to take the appropriate
safety measures. NW Insurance Council offers these winter-weather
driving tips to help you and your family safely get to your
holiday destination:
- Before your trip, know the current road conditions and
the forecast for your route and destination.
- If you're crossing mountains, take chains or other traction
devices. If possible, install studded tires before your
trip.
- Keep an emergency winter driving kit in your car. The
kit should include blankets, water, high-energy snacks,
and highway warning devices, flares, flashlights and batteries.
- Be aware of potentially dangerous icy areas such as
shady spots, bridges and overpasses. Approach these areas
with caution. These areas are usually the first places
to get icy, and often the ice is invisible.
- Stay on main roads as much as possible. Road crews normally
clear main roads and highways first. In case of an emergency,
you have a better chance of getting help on a main route.
- If you start to slide, pump your brakes gently and steer
into the direction of the slide.
- Avoid over-acceleration.
- If you have anti-lock brakes, do not pump your brakes.
Instead, press firmly on the brake pedal and hold it down,
allowing the anti-lock mechanism to work.
- Drive with your headlights on low beam. Low beam provides
better illumination in snow than high beam.
For more information on winter-weather
driving safety, contact NW Insurance Council at (800) 664-4942
or visit http://www.nwinsurance.org.
NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit,
public-education organization funded by member insurance companies.
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