As the upcoming winter season brings changes in the weather, it might bring changes to your driving routines as well. For that reason, many customers ask us, “Should I change my car insurance during the winter months?”
The answer is, it depends. There are certain situations where you might want to consider adjusting your car insurance, and other situations where you won’t. Here are some of those situations:
Storing a summer vehicle
If you have a car or vehicle that you don’t drive during the winter months, putting it in storage is a great way to protect it from the elements. And if you’re not going to be driving it for an extended period of time, you may wonder if you still need insurance.
In this scenario, we think it’s a bad idea to drop your car insurance coverage completely. This is because insurers consider gaps in car insurance coverage as a risk. They may infer the gap means you are also out of driving practice, and raise your premiums when you want to reinstate your insurance.
However, if you truly won’t be driving at all during the season, it may make sense to lower your collision coverage, or buy a comprehensive only insurance policy instead, otherwise known as storage insurance. It’s important to note that if you buy storage coverage, you are not legally allowed to drive your car while under that policy.
Driving more in the winter
The winter weather brings snow, ice, sleet and wet roadways. We also have fewer daylight hours, which may result in more nighttime driving.
If you are still going to be on the roadways this winter, or possibly more than the rest of the year, you might want to consider increasing your coverage. Take a look at your collision coverage limits, or think about adding comprehensive coverage. These policies will help you be better prepared in the event of an accident or damage from the weather.
In addition to coverage from an accident, collision insurance would protect your car if a fallen tree branch hit it, for example. A comprehensive insurance policy would cover damages if you hit a deer.
Adding roadside assistance
No one wants to think about breaking down on the highway or being stuck in a ditch courtesy of slick roads, but adding roadside coverage to your auto policy will likely be less expensive than having to pay for a tow should you get stuck. This additional coverage might be worth the convenience and peace of mind.
SFM Insurance is an independent insurance agency with access to 16 trusted, well-known carriers, bringing you the coverage you need at an affordable price. We know insurance coverage can get complicated, so we’re here to answer your questions and help you feel confident while driving this winter.
If you would like to talk to us about whether you should change your car insurance during the winter months, please contact us at 937-382-2546. We’d be happy to recommend a plan that is right for you. For more tips and our latest updates, visit us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn!
