Winter's good for a lot of things. Snowmen, sledding expeditions, snowball fights. Unfortunately, saving money isn't on the list! Between the extra money you spend on heating bills, winter activities (since camping, picnicking, swimming and all that free summer entertainment aren't nearly as entertaining in sub-zero temperatures), gasoline for the months you spend driving everywhere and the small fortune you pay for winter coats-well, winter can definitely send your monthly expenses flying through the roof.
Including your auto insurance.
Auto insurance companies hate winter, and you can probably guess why. After all, it's exponentially harder to stay on the road when it's covered with ice than it is in the middle of summer! For insurance agents winter has nothing to do with snow forts and skiing and everything to do with the fact that there are more auto insurance claims filed in the winter than at any other time of the year. Insurance claims=climbing auto insurance rates.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to keep yourself safe on the road and your auto insurance rates as low as possible. First and foremost, the best way to avoid watching your insurance rates climb because of an accident is to avoid having an accident in the first place! Minimizing the amount of time you spend on the roads, cutting down on your daily commute, investing in snow tires and making sure your car gets the proper maintenance for winter will go a long way toward keeping your monthly payments something less than astronomical.
If you're a newbie to the winter driving game you might want to consider investing in a driver improvement course taught by an instructor in your county. Not only do these classes give you bonus points on your license, which are going to drag down your insurance rates anyway, they're also going to give you the chance to pick the minds of some expert drivers who've been dealing with harsh winter weather for years. It's a great way to gain some firsthand knowledge of the problems you're going to be facing out on the highways without tumbling wheel over bumper first.
When you first started shopping around for an insurance policy the name of the game was discounts-as many as you could get your hands on! You've probably already reaped the benefits of your car's numerous safety features, but did you know that buying a set of snow tires could help you save? Auto insurance companies love conscientious drivers who are willing to do everything in their power to keep from being involved in an accident and having to file an auto insurance claim, and they reward that conscientiousness with great savings on your auto insurance rates.
Winter weather can be hard on you, your car and your checkbook, but with a little preparation you can keep the damages minimal and arrive in spring with your vehicle and your finances well intact.
