Winter driving in Ontario, from the streets of Waterloo to the rural roads around Palmerston, comes with unique hazards. At Strong Roots Insurance, we’re your partners, not just your brokers. We’ll give you the expert advice you need to navigate these risks and ensure you have the comprehensive coverage to back you up. We specialize in finding tailored car insurance solutions for a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorhomes.
The 10 Most Common Winter Driving Risks in Ontario
- Black Ice and Frost: These invisible hazards are primary winter road hazards, often forming first on bridges and overpasses.
- Protection Tip: If you hit black ice, stay calm and remember your black ice driving tips: avoid sudden braking or steering. Take your foot off the gas and let the car slow down gradually.
- Reduced Visibility: Snow, fog, and whiteouts significantly cut down reaction time.
- Hydroplaning in Slush: Deep slush on highways can cause you to lose control, much like water.
- Longer Braking Distances: On icy or snowy roads, your stopping distance can double or triple. Maintain at least a 4-second following distance.
- Windshield Cracks: Temperature shifts can turn a small chip into a big problem, fast.
- Drifting Snow: Can obscure lane markings and create hidden hazards on country roads.
- Dead Batteries: Cold weather dramatically reduces battery performance.
- Protection Tip: Add checking your battery and anti-freeze levels to your safe winter driving checklist.
- Potholes: Freeze-thaw cycles lead to severe road damage, posing a risk to tires and suspension.
- Other Drivers: Not everyone is practicing safe winter driving. Always maintain extra space, focusing on your own winter driving safety.
- The Unexpected: Winter is unpredictable; that’s why reliable insurance is your ultimate safeguard.
Your Winter Driving Safety Checklist
For truly reliable solutions and peace of mind, Strong Roots Insurance recommends the following:
- Winter Tires: A necessity in Ontario for better traction and handling. While some “all-weather” tires are popular, confirm with us that yours satisfy your insurer’s guidelines for any potential discount.
- Essential Coverages: Ensure you have adequate Third-Party Liability coverage. While Ontario mandates $200,000, we recommend at least $2 million to protect your financial future in the event of a serious accident.
- Optional Add-Ons: Consider adding Collision Coverage for damage resulting from an at-fault accident, and Comprehensive Coverage for non-collision issues like theft, vandalism, or fire.
- Rental Car Coverage: A crucial addition in case your vehicle is damaged in a winter accident and needs extensive repairs.
At Strong Roots Insurance, we’re committed to helping our community protect their assets. If you have questions about your auto insurance coverage or want to learn more about protecting your vehicle, give us a call today.
