Driving in bad weather - 30 Oct 2009 15:06
Insurance is about risk management. The more risk the insurer takes on, the higher your premiums will be. You can negotiate this risk by taking precautions to be less of a risk. While theft is high-risk in certain areas of SA, accidents still pose a greater risk to insurers, which is why it’s important to accommodate bad weather in your driving style.
Taking an advanced driving course to learn how to adapt your driving in bad weather is advisable. It’s also advisable to tell your insurer (and provide proof) that you’ve done such a course.
Ensure that your car is roadworthy at all times. Check everything from the smoothness of the tyres and break pads to the wiper blades and lights. Any defect in any of these could give your insurer an excuse to repudiate a claim.
??Before embarking on any long trips, check the weather report, not just for the destination, but for the areas through which you’ll be driving. Slow down and increase your following distance if you encounter bad weather.
Turn on your fog lights or dimmed beams when in bad weather. Some drivers might not do this, so be aware and don’t panic.
As far as possible, stay off the roads during bad weather conditions. The chances of accidents occurring are increased proportionately to poor visibility, slippery roads, and other unroadworthy vehicles on the road.
Insurance is about risk management. The more risk the insurer takes on, the higher your premiums will be. You can negotiate this risk by taking precautions to be less of a risk. While theft is high-risk in certain areas of SA, accidents still pose a greater risk to insurers, which is why it’s important to accommodate bad weather in your driving style. Taking an advanced driving course to learn how to adapt your driving in bad weather is advisable. It’s also advisable to tell your insurer (and provide proof) that you’ve done such a course.
Ensure that your car is roadworthy at all times. Check everything from the smoothness of the tyres and break pads to the wiper blades and lights. Any defect in any of these could give your insurer an excuse to repudiate a claim.
??Before embarking on any long trips, check the weather report, not just for the destination, but for the areas through which you’ll be driving. Slow down and increase your following distance if you encounter bad weather.
Turn on your fog lights or dimmed beams when in bad weather. Some drivers might not do this, so be aware and don’t panic.
As far as possible, stay off the roads during bad weather conditions. The chances of accidents occurring are increased proportionately to poor visibility, slippery roads, and other unroadworthy vehicles on the road.