How to Protect Yourself and Your Car When Seasons Change

Summer is beginning to draw to a close. Here in the Midwest, we will soon see shorter days, cooler temperatures and increased inclement weather. Whenever you venture out, these changes might mean that you face higher driving risks.

There are a few safety precautions to keep in mind while driving during the autumn. By paying attention to both your vehicle and the conditions around you, you can cut your accident risks. Also, don’t forget to also review your car insurance. It can provide substantial physical damage coverage if you have an accident. a car parked in a parking lot

Why Driving Risks Increase in Autumn

Summertime brings a lot of pleasant weather to most parts of the country. However, as the seasons begin to change, so will the weather patterns. Cold fronts often bring rain, thunderstorms and eventually the first frosts.

Though you might not have bright, sunny weather outside, that doesn’t mean you won’t have to go about your daily business. So, whenever and wherever you drive, you might face higher car wreck risks. Some of the reasons why are:

Rain and frost can create slick roadways which make cars harder to operate and more prone to sliding. Additionally, if you drive in an area where leaves fall in abundance, you could face slick conditions, particularly if the leaves are wet.
Drivers usually face higher visibility risks during the autumn. Shorter days will mean fewer hours of daylight and visibility always drops at night. Even with strong headlights, you will have to observe extra caution when driving at night.
Visibility risks might not only beckon at nights. Fog or rainy weather can limit driver visibility no matter what the time of day. As a result, drivers will have to slow down, keep their distance and be prepared to have an extended drive time.

Protecting Your Car from Driving Hazards

When driving in autumn, you should always observe normal to extended precautions depending on conditions. If ever caught on the road in hazardous weather, maintain a slower speed and never follow other vehicles too closely.

However, don’t forget that there are a few things you can do to make your car safer to drive this time of year, too. Some key areas to check are:

Your tires.

As a vehicle’s tires age, the treads on the outside begin to corrode and wear away. The lower they get, the harder it is for your wheels to grip the road. Therefore, your ability to control the vehicle will drop. This is a particular safety risk on wet roads. Both wet conditions and low treads create skid risks separately. Together, they equal a compounded threat to your security. If you notice your tires have deteriorated, then it might be time for replacements.

Your Headlights

You will need your lights after dark and in fog or rain. If yours do not work properly, then you do not have optimal visibility of your surroundings. Most modern vehicles contain sensors that will tell you when your have a broken light.

A car’s headlight covers might also corrode, crack or become foggy over years of use. If your headlights develop a haze over them, then you will also face lowered visibility. Many service providers can restore headlight coverage to fix the issue.

Your Windshield Wipers

Most cars’ wipers begin to wear out over time. Of course, if they don’t function correctly, then they won’t provide a clear line of sight of the road ahead of you.

However, old or damaged wipers might even begin to scratch the windshield and lead to a high repair bill. Inspect your wipers this season. If necessary, replace them with a brand recommended for use in your local environment.

If your car is due for routine maintenance, then it is a good idea to have it done before we get too deep into autumn. A service provider can rotate your tires, change your oil, check your engine, battery and fluids and let you know if they see any issues that might lead to driving hazards.

Making Sure Your Car Insurance Protects You

No matter how hard you try to protect your vehicle this autumn, there is a chance it could still sustain damage. However, if your car insurance includes adequate physical damage protection, then you will have help available.

Collision insurance will cover damage to your car resulting from a wreck. So, if you slide off a slick road and wind up in a ditch, this coverage can pay for the vehicle’s repairs.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car from hazards that are not collisions. For example, if during a thunderstorm at the head of a cold front, a limb falls on your car in your driveway. Because the damage resulted from a falling object and severe weather, comprehensive coverage will apply.

Neither collision nor comprehensive coverage are automatically included on most car insurance policies. However, you can ask your agent to add the protection to your coverage. Your auto insurance agent will help you determine the right way to set up this coverage.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Car When Seasons Change

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