Important Insurance Coverage for Winter Driving

The Denver and Aurora area gets a fair amount of snow most winters. While this may make for fun days building snowmen with the kids, it also creates hazards for drivers. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, each year:

• 24% of weather-related car accidents occur on snowy, icy or slushy roads
• 15% of weather-related car accidents take place during a snow or sleet storm
• Over 2,200 fatalities and 192,000 injuries occur during these winter weather-related car accidents

It’s easy to lose control of your vehicle on an icy road and crash into a guardrail or another vehicle. Snow also makes it harder to stop your vehicle, creating additional risks for accidents. However, your vehicle can also get damaged while you’re not driving. It’s common for tree branches loaded down with snow and ice to break off and damage vehicles beneath them.

In all of these situations, you may be faced with costly vehicle repairs. It’s important to have the proper insurance coverage to minimize your financial burden in the event your car is damaged from winter weather issues.

Covering Repair Costs to Your Vehicle

There are two different types of insurance coverage that will pay for damage to your vehicle:

• Collision Coverage – This coverage pays for repairs to your vehicle after an accident. It covers damage from collisions with both a vehicle and other objects, such as a guardrail or utility pole.
• Comprehensive Coverage – This coverage pays for weather-related vehicle damage not caused by an accident. Damage from snowy tree branches and other objects that fall on your vehicle would be covered under comprehensive insurance, as would cracks in your windshield that expand during freezing temperatures. In addition, comprehensive insurance will provide reimbursement after vandalism, floods, theft, fire and collisions with an animal.

Both of these insurance coverages are typically optional, but they are worth having if your vehicle is relatively new and still holds a fair amount of value. In some instances, such as when you owe money on a car loan or you’re leasing the vehicle, the leasing company or lender may require you to purchase these types of insurance coverage.

Covering Property Damage and Injuries You Cause to Others

Even the most experienced winter drivers will sometimes lose control of their vehicle on an icy road, resulting in an accident. If you injure someone or cause damage to another driver’s vehicle during the accident, your liability insurance will pay for all their medical bills and property damage.

Colorado requires the following minimum liability insurance coverages for all drivers:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $15,000 per accident for property damage

While this is the minimum amount of coverage you must carry by law, it’s generally a good idea to purchase higher levels of liability coverage. In the event of a serious accident, these minimum coverage levels are unlikely to pay for all repairs and medical bills, and you’ll be responsible to pay for the rest out of pocket.

Covering Injuries to Yourself and Your Passengers

The liability coverage discussed above can also be used to pay for injuries sustained by you and your passengers in an accident you cause. In addition, you have the option to purchase MedPay coverage which can be used to receive compensation for injuries, regardless of who is responsible for the accident. Carrying MedPay coverage can potentially expedite reimbursement after an accident.

Protection Against Uninsured Drivers

While Colorado state law requires all drivers to carry minimum levels of liability coverage, not all drivers comply with this mandate. In addition, many other drivers will comply, but only purchase minimum levels of coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage provides an important protection if you’re involved in a car accident caused by a driver with insufficient insurance coverage to pay for your medical bills and property damage.

You’ll be able to receive reimbursement for all repairs and medical expenses up to the limits of the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage you purchased with your policy. This coverage is important to have, as it can protect you from financial hardship in the event of a serious injury.

Other Important Coverages for Winter Accidents

The following types of insurance coverage can be helpful in winter weather:

• Roadside Assistance Insurance – Vehicle breakdowns and other issues are common during the winter. If your car gets stuck in the snow, your battery is drained by freezing temperatures or you experience any other issue, roadside assistance coverage will reimburse you for the costs associated with these problems.
• Rental Reimbursement Insurance – It often takes time to get your vehicle repaired and back on the road. If you need a rental car for several weeks, it can become expensive. Rental reimbursement insurance will cover the costs of your rental car up to the limits of the coverage you purchase. This can save you a lot of money.

Accurate Auto Body Can Help after a Winter Car Accident

Accurate Auto Body provides comprehensive collision repair services to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition. Our Focus on You Service System™ has been created with your needs in mind in order to deliver the exceptional experience you deserve. As part of this system, you’ll receive:

• Unparalleled levels of personalized attention
• Detailed information educating you on all of your options
• Guaranteed pricing
• Guaranteed completion dates
• Faster turnaround times
• Quality repairs performed correctly the first time
• Repair appointments that accommodate your schedule
• Assistance with auto insurance claims

Schedule an Appointment

Please contact us today to schedule an appointment. Accurate Auto Body serves customers in Aurora and throughout the Denver metro area.