In addition to the usual fender-benders and driving off the road, winter weather conditions have also awakened car owners who test their vehicle’s capabilities on a sledding hill or ice track.

According to Rasmus Parve, Motor Claims Area Manager at Seesam, winter traffic accidents are primarily related to low air and road temperatures, precipitation and slippery conditions caused by the combination of these factors. Significantly longer braking distances result in crashes, fender-benders, as well as driving off the road.

“On average, accidentally driving off the road in winter costs €5000,” says the insurer. “Accidents resulting in damages exceeding €10,000 are not rare either. I remember several cases last winter where the damage per accident exceeded €30,000. These were newer cars which were completely destroyed.”

Driving off the road accidentally is costly, but even more so is the conscious choice to leave the road and go searching for adventures.

Roadside assistance service is used for starting cars as well as rescuing locked-in dogs

Seesam’s road assistance service statistics reveal Estonians’ tendency for testing their new SUVs in sand quarries or in road conditions significantly more challenging than usual. Fluffy snow is also inviting for owners of smaller cars. “In summer, people hope to express their tender feelings to their partner by driving on the beach sand, ignoring the difficulty caused by it, or even by diving straight into the waves,” said Parve. “In winter, however, drivers get gleeful when spotting a sledding hill, woodlands covered in fluffy snow, or frozen water.”

Fresh snow can indeed give rise to all sorts of great ideas, but the insurer says it is better for them to just remain ideas. If an accident occurs after leaving the road on purpose, the driver is responsible for the possible consequences and cannot lean on casco insurance.

Roadside assistance can save them from deep snow, but unfortunately for the car owner, they have to pay for the bit of fun out of their own pocket.

During the winter season, roadside assistance is contacted dozens of times every day, both by phone and through the app. Although there are plenty of people who go “sledding” in their car every winter, the call-out list this time of year is topped by traditional requests for help getting a car started, getting stuck in the snow on official roads, battery-related faults and towing requests due to various types of road accidents or unexpected technical faults.

“People also contact roadside assistance in circumstances embarrassing for many,” says Parve. “For example, when their car has unexpectedly run out of fuel in the middle of city traffic, they use the wrong fuel, the car keys have found their way into the trunk along with the grocery bags or a dog left in the car has pressed the door locking button.”

As winter is just gathering momentum and more snow is expected, make sure you are prepared and familiar with the safety rules for winter driving:

·        Check the windscreen wipers. If necessary, replace them with new ones to keep the field of view clear during these dark times.

·        Removing snow only from the windscreen is not enough to drive safely. All windows, roof and lights must be cleaned. Loose snow on the roof causes accidents every year by flying to the windscreens of cars driving behind or sliding onto the driver’s own windscreen when braking.

·        Choose the right driving speed so you can brake in time in unexpected circumstances.

·        Replace the summer windscreen-cleaning fluid.

·        For a diesel car, make sure you have winter fuel in the tank when it gets cold.

·        Keep the fuel tank full rather than empty.

·        Electric car batteries drain faster at low temperatures, so your car’s range is shorter compared to the summer months.