When the weather turns cold and wet, roads are likely to become slick or icy, so extra caution is encouraged when driving in the winter months. 
 
VFBMIC experiences an influx of auto insurance claims whenever snowy or icy weather strikes. A common mistake made by motorists when driving in these conditions is being overconfident in their driving ability or their vehicle’s ability to handle poor road conditions. 
 
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides many winter-weather driving tips and suggests the following to prepare for winter-weather driving:  

• Give your car a winter weather tune-up before conditions turn cold or snowy.  
• Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter driving-related tasks, such as cleaning off the windshield.  
• Keep your vehicle stocked with emergency supplies, including blankets, jumper cables, a flashlight, and warning devices such as flares and emergency markers. A cell phone with a charger, bottled water and non-perishable food also may come in handy. 
• Ensure your gas tank is close to full, even in a hybrid-electric vehicle, and make sure your car’s battery is up to the challenges of winter.  
• Clear off your vehicle and windshield before heading out onto the road. 
• Drive slowly and increase your following distance so you’ll have plenty of time to react to other vehicles. 
• If your vehicle has antilock brakes, apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal. If you do not have antilock brakes, you may need to pump your brakes if the wheels start to lock up. 

It’s also a good idea to review your auto insurance policy to make sure you are covered in any situation. Reach out to an agent to make sure you’re prepared for winter-weather driving.