Weighing whether to drive in icy weather?
Here are some facts.
- If you do slide and crash, damages to your car typically are covered under the collision coverage if you have it; but, know that an insurance carrier will typically classify such an accident as an at-fault accident, and at-fault accidents can increase future premiums more than other claims. If you can easily avoid the situation, why risk a rare day or two of ice?
- Because snow and ice are rare events here, cities like Beaverton and Hillsboro and the county have minimal preparedness to improve icy roads, and people in general are less practiced. While you may be great at driving on ice, others are probably not.
Many may remember the ice storm of several years ago. It took me three stressful hours to get home from work in Lake Oswego, up Highway 217, to Farmington, to my home. I saw dozens of accidents along the way and thankfully made it home without event, but it wasn’t worth the stress. Perhaps you have a story or two?
Maybe instead, brew up your warm comfort (peppermint schnapps in hot-chocolate?), kick back the recliner, read that good book, or call someone you should love.
As someone who has taken dozens of ice and snow crash claim calls over the years, I’d say stay home if you can. And if you do choose to drive, be extra careful.