Preparing For Bad Weather

By Author: Marcus Stalder
Total Articles: 491
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You may have noticed Hurricane Irene which has broken records for a hurricane hitting land and working its way up the Atlantic Coast. This has not happened for a good few years and even though Irene was downgraded to a topical storm, it's contrived to dump an amazing amount of water on to one of the most densely populated parts of America. The immediate estimates are that this will be a top ten natural disaster with billions in claims on auto and home insurance policies. When all the numbers are added up at the end of 2011, experts are predicting this will be one of the worst on record for the insurance industry. A M Best, which monitors the insurance industry, recently announced the payouts so far this year have already exceeded the amount paid last year. Last year was expensive. When you add the two years together, it's likely the insurance industry will run out of cash reserves later this year. This will force it to borrow and erode its capital base, assuming of course there are banks or investors prepared to advance more money. No matter what happens in the stock exchanges or on Wall Street, premium rates will have to rise.

This ...
... gives everyone a big incentive to avoid making a claim. Although an increase in premium installments is not automatic after a claim, it's better not to take chances. So what do you do if your local weather forecasters start warning of big problems? The first and most straightforward advice is not to drive during really bad weather. No matter how well prepared you are, it's just not worth the risk unless there's an emergency that forces you to make the attempt. So start with the vehicle itself. You need the best possible grip on the road so having tires with the maximum tread is best. If snow is going to be the problem, consider having chains to fit should you encounter drifts. In winter, the real problems come with ice. In wet weather, the problem is aquaplaning if you drive too fast. The first you know of either problem is when you discover you have lost contact with the road. Should you have time, take your foot off the gas and hope engine compression slows you enough to recover control before you hit something. Remember before you drive into flood water, there's always a risk of hitting a submerged object. If in doubt, don't drive into more than a few inches of water. Keep replacing your windshield wipers to ensure the best possible view of the road.

Always carry emergency supplies with you. You need a charger to keep your cell phone working, and either warm clothes or blankets to keep you warm while you wait for rescue. Remember emergency services will be slow to reach you if the weather is bad across large areas. Follow these simple rules and you should survive. More importantly, if your vehicle is undamaged, next year's car insurance quotes should come in lower than you expect. But the advice remains the same. Don't drive unless there's no choice. If you are warned of a hurricane, evacuate early to high ground to avoid flooding. It's all common sense to avoid higher car insurance rates next year.