The months during winter have been identified as the worst time of the year for motor accidents in Britain as severe weather affects both road and car conditions across the country. It is also a busy time for Car Insurance companies who deal with thousands of claims from motorists during the wintry weather.



Figures released by e-sure car insurance company have revealed that motorists in Britain are as much as 30 per cent more likely to have an accident during the winter months than they are throughout the summer. It has also identified that 20 per cent of drivers, which equates to six million people, have experienced an accident whilst driving on icy roads, which under the accidental damage clause in policies, leaves the insurer liable to pay out on claims.

Skidding off frozen roads is the most common cause of winter car accidents according to NFU Mutual spokeswoman, Laura Wood. She warns “Modern vehicles insulate drivers from the outside environment, which could lull them into believing the roads are ice free.”

There are however, other winter dangers that affect a car and its insurance policy apart from the icy roads, as claims for damage to paint work and windscreens increase as a result of passing road gritting machines.

Insurance companies are liable to pay out for this, but it can affect the motorists' no-claims discount as insurers are unable to re-claim the costs from the gritting companies.

Windscreen damage is common during the winter as car owners, in an attempt to defrost their cars, pour boiling hot water on to glass which can result in it cracking. Despite an improvement in windscreen technology, this process of removing frost from the car isn't recommended by Arian Webb of e-sure. Despite an insurer being responsible for paying out for a cracked windscreen, Webb says, “You will typically pay a £50 excess if the windscreen needs completely replacing, but that will be waived if it can be repaired instead.”

Collision's occurring as a result of iced over windows that haven't been cleared properly are also a problem, Webb argues, “If you merely clear a small hole to peer through the windscreen, you are more likely to have an accident, and cause serious injury or even kill somebody”

“A failure in a duty to drive with all round visibility could be disputed with the insurer, yet a third-party claim to an injured pedestrian, for example is likely to be upheld.”, Webb explains.

Motorists now have a fresh problem to worry about which is a winter crime phenomenon called ‘frosting'. Joanne Mallon, car insurance manager at Sainsbury's bank reveals that there are as many as 66,000 people fall victim to this offence every year. She says, “When it's freezing outside it can be tempting to leave the engine running to speed up the defrosting process while you nip back inside to get ready.”

This relatively new crime sees thieves stealing cars that have been left unattended by their owners while they wait for the engine to warm up and has become a real menace. In these situations insurance companies could argue that the owner has failed in a ‘duty of care' to the vehicle and dismiss any claim.