Motorists up to 33% more likely to make a car insurance claim during Winter

Figures from Covéa Insurance have highlighted that drivers are between 25% and 33% more at risk of having to make a claim on their car insurance during the winter months.

The insurer analysed more than 140,000 motor claims made over a 3 year period, which showed that drivers are on average 25% more likely to make a claim between the months of November and February. During bouts of bad winter weather, this figure increased to 33% over the same period.

Recent weather reports suggest that the UK could be facing one of the worst winters for five years with prolonged periods of snow and ice which could lead to even more treacherous roads for motorists this winter.

Road safety champion and head of engineers at Covéa Insurance, Barry Street comments:

“A harsh winter will mean that roads are more treacherous than usual, which could lead to more incidents resulting in insurance claims. With longer periods of darkness, fog, rain and even ice and snow winter can be a demanding time to be driving, so it’s important to spend a little time preparing. To help stay safe on the roads this winter, I’d advise the following simple precautions:

• Always take time to clear snow and ice from your car and to demist your windows before setting off – don’t be that driver peering through a misted up porthole!
• Check your wipers and replace them if necessary. Keep the washer bottle topped up with screen wash and keep a can of de-icer in the car – a clear view of the road ahead is essential all year round.
• Keep your tyres correctly inflated and check their tread regularly – they are your only contact with the road and you need them in tip-top condition.
• Watch your speed and maintain a safe gap to the car in front – remember stopping distances could be doubled or more during bad weather.
• When bad weather is forecast only travel when essential, but if you have to make that journey plan ahead. Keep some warm clothing in the car and make sure your phone is charged and you have the numbers for your insurance company and breakdown provider programmed in, just in case!”

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About Covéa Insurance

Covéa Insurance Plc is the UK underwriting business of leading French mutual insurance group Covéa (which includes the global reinsurer PartnerRe since July 2022). 

Covéa Insurance looks after the insurance needs of UK customers, across a range of product lines; delivering financial reassurance through its Standard & Poor’s ‘AA- stable’ rating, as a guaranteed subsidiary of Covéa.  

Covéa Insurance has a strong people and service ethos and holds ServiceMark accreditation with Distinction for its Personal Lines operation and its Commercial & HNW Claims teams, as well as Chartered Insurer status for its Commercial business. Covéa Insurance is signatory to the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter and the insurance Inclusivity Pledge and has been named one of the top 75 employers in West Yorkshire & the Humber. In 2022 Covéa Insurance was named Insurer of the Year at the British Claims Awards and Personal Lines Insurer of the Year at the Insurance Times Awards.