Drivers need to know that they're on thin ice if their excuse to the insurance company for smashing up their vehicle is the weather. Within seconds black ice can wreck both your vehicle and your insurance rate.
InsuranceHotline.com did a poll and found that out of 11,805 respondents, 39 per cent of drivers didn't know that if they got into an accident because of black ice, freezing rain, or other surprise winter weather conditions, their insurance company would consider them to be at-fault and their insurance rate would more than likely increase.
All single vehicle accidents are considered the driver's fault by insurance companies, even if the police say you were not at-fault. The police determine if a law has been broken. Your insurance company decides fault. An at-fault accident will affect your insurance.
Insurance companies expect the driver to be in control of their vehicle at all times. Black ice, pot holes, white outs, are all considered your fault if you damage your vehicle.
Many drivers feel that after they've had an at-fault accident, no other insurance company will want them, and certainly not for a lower rate than their existing insurance. In fact, this is exactly the time drivers should shop and compare rates and switch to the insurance company offering the best quote for coverage. With an at-fault accident you'll be paying a higher rate for
six long years.
Prevention is always best. To avoid having an accident due to black ice, you should never assume that driving conditions are safe, especially if there's been a sudden drop in temperature or increase in moisture, such as after a snow storm.
When the road temperature is below freezing and the air is above freezing, there's a risk of black ice forming. Roads with heavy traffic, shaded sections, tunnels and overpasses are all black ice
hazard areas.
This is because these areas are blocked from the sun warming the pavement while it warms the air. Any type of moisture on the road can turn into black ice, which has a matte appearance and makes the road surface look clear and dry.
The formation of black ice can also begin when rain, fog, or mist deposits ice on pavement in cold weather.
If you hit black ice, the best way to stop is to use controlled braking if you don't have anti-lock brakes. The proper way to brake in control is to keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use your toes to apply steady pressure on the brake pedal, shift into neutral, and stop short of locking up your wheels.
Under the stress of hitting black ice, it's not unusual to slam on your brakes and lock your wheels. If this happens, release your brake pressure, then immediately reapply it with slightly less pressure. Do not remove your foot from the brake; pump it, or over steer.
As stated, if you have a single vehicle accident due to the weather, it's considered your fault. However, there have been drivers who fought this ruling and won. They proved that the road was not properly maintained and/or there were extenuating circumstances that caused them not to able to maintain control of their vehicle.
This process would begin by talking to the insurance company's Ombudsman about your particular circumstance. Bottom line, however, is that you're required to drive in such a manner as to be able to bring your car under control at all times.
Send your auto insurance questions to Lee at GlobeDrive@globeandmail.com
