ATD Insurance

Winter brings out the two distinct types of drivers; those who treat the ice and snow with gentleness and care, and those who don't seem to distinguish between winter and summer driving! There is really no trick to being a good winter driver if you and your car are prepared. Consider the following:

• Make sure your car is ready for winter by having the engine tuned and proper tires mounted before the snow arrives;
• Carry emergency equipment in your vehicle, including a snow shovel, battery jumper cables, a bag of sand or traction pads, a towing cable, flares, a complete set of warm clothing and boots, blanket, and a few candles to keep you warm if the engine will not start;
• To get your vehicle moving if it is stuck in snow or ice, rock the vehicle back and forth gently;
• Ice is a major hazard during winter driving, particularly "black ice', a think layer of ice that is often invisible Any sudden turns or acceleration on black ice can mean disaster;
• Remembers that ice forms first and melts last on bridges and overpasses, where cold air gets underneath, causing the temperature to drop faster than anywhere else;
• Keep your car's windshield washer fluid tank full. Winter slush can temporarily blind you, especially when you are following vehicles.

Winter weather is just around the corner in many areas, but a few simple steps can help you stay cozy indoors and save on heating costs, as well:

• Insulate open spaces - insulation is one of the most efficient and economical ways to reduce home heating costs. Check your local building codes to make sure your home is properly insulated. In most homes, insulation should be added to the attic and outside walls.
• Check doors and windows - precious heat can be lost through doors and windows. Storm windows and doors can cut heat loss in these areas by almost half. Double-insulated and triple-glazed windows are also effective heat-loss barriers.
• Seal up air leaks - you can also reduce air leaks by using inexpensive caulking around the windows, doors, and electrical outlets. Adding weather stripping to the tops and bottoms of windows and doors will help prevent drafts and heat loss.
• Put the wraps on your pipes - Wrapping your water heater and pipes can save energy by reducing heat loss. Special insulation for hot water pipes, especially where they're exposed in garage or basement areas, is also recommended.

Sledding is a fun activity for kids of all ages. However, safety is of paramount concern, especially when children are involved. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following safety tips:

• Keep sledders away from motor vehicles
• Children should be supervised while sledding
• Keep young children separated from older children
• Sledding feet first or sitting up, instead of lying down head-first, may prevent head injuries
• Consider having your child wear a helmet while sledding
• Use steerable sleds, not snow disks or inner tubes
• Sleds should be structurally sound and free of sharp edges and splinters, and the steering mechanism should be well lubricated.
• Sled slopes should be free of obstructions like trees or fences, be covered in snow not ice, not be too steep (slope of less than 30 degrees), and end with a flat runoff.
• Avoid sledding in crowded areas.

The explosion in the deer population has lead to a continuing increase in deer-car collisions. This trend will only increase as the deer population grows and urban habitats continue to encroach upon rural environments.

According to the National Safety Council, there were 530,000 animal-related accidents in 2003 and these collisions resulted in 100 deaths and 10,000 injuries.

The average cost per insurance claim for collision damage is $2,800, with costs varying depending on the type of vehicle and severity of damage. When you factor in auto claims involving bodily injury, the average rises to $10,000.

Defensive driving tips to avoid hitting a deer:

• Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions
• Drive with caution when moving through deer-crossing zones, in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland. Deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, others may be nearby.
• When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway
• Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away
• Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
• Always wear your seat belt. Most people injured in car/deer crashes were not wearing their seat belt.
• Do no rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer. These devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.

If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself. The best procedure is to get you car off the road, if possible, and call the police.

Contact your insurance agent or company representative to report any damage to your car. Collision with an animal is covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy.