Here in Wisconsin, the holiday season brings good tidings and joy; unfortunately, this is also the time of year when drivers face increased risks from many different types of hazards. Continue reading to learn some of the risks you might face this time of year and which types of coverage you might need to protect yourself against each of them.
Intoxicated Drivers
Buzzed driving is drunk driving, but that doesn’t mean people don’t make bad decisions. Between 1982 and 2008, drunk drivers killed an average of 401 people on New Year’s Day and 414 people on Christmas Day each year. Thousands more are injured in accidents involving drunk drivers, putting all drivers and their passengers – including the sober ones – at risk. You can lower the risk of being injured in a drunk driving accident by only riding with sober drivers and avoiding being on the road late at night when intoxicated drivers may be leaving holiday parties or bars.
Vehicles hit by drunk drivers often sustain damage that requires repair or replacement of the vehicle, and the people inside of them may need medical attention. Though the at-fault driver’s insurance should cover the costs, you might need to file on your own insurance if the at-fault driver is uninsured, underinsure, or if you need immediate payment for medical expenses before fault has been determined. Talk with your agent about how much uninsured and underinsured motorist protection you might need, as well as your collision and medical payments needs.
Vandals and Thieves
You might not think of the holiday season as a time when your car could be stolen, but thieves don’t take time off for the holidays. Though there is a slow-down in car theft on Christmas Day, the entire holiday season sustains steady numbers of vehicle theft, with New Years Day topping out as the number one holiday for car thieves to swipe a new set of wheels. Likewise, some crooks will smash the windows on your vehicle just to get to the tablet, purse, or shopping bags inside.
Be prepared in case thieves strike. Talk with your independent agent about affordable car insurance that includes comprehensive protection. This type of coverage generally pays for damages to or loss of your vehicle as a result of non-collision events like theft and vandalism.
Perilous Weather
This is the time of year when winter weather brings poor visibility and treacherous driving conditions. It’s best to avoid roads when conditions are dangerous. We are fortunate to have 511 Wisconsin (a service of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation), which provides real-time updates about road conditions and traffic delays. You can call, visit the website, or download the free app from the Apple or Android app stores.
If you find yourself sliding across the ice into a ditch, you might need a little roadside assistance. Fortunately, coverage for towing expenses, rental car replacement, lockouts, and more can be added to a car insurance policy under most carriers. These types of coverage assure you will have helping hands when you need them the most.
