How Winter Tires Can Help You Save Money on Car Insurance
Did you know that you may be eligible for a discount on your car insurance if you have winter tires? Not only can snow tires save your life, but now they can help out your bank account.
As the cold weather and the snow rolls in, it’s time to start preparing.
We see a lot of people worrying about driving in the winter, and we’re ready to help you make the best of this time of year with expert advice on all your driving needs.
We can help make it easier on you and your family to drive in the bad weather. Here’s how winter snow tires can change your insurance, and probably save your life:
Ontario’s New Laws on Winter Tires and Car Insurance
As of January 2016, the government of Ontario requires all insurance companies to give their customers discounts on car insurance if they buy winter tires. This is now the law.
There are 9.3 million drivers in Ontario. Can you imagine how safe our roads would be if everyone had winter tires? That’s what this law is all about!
This legislation was implemented in an attempt by the government to lower the high insurance rates in Ontario. It’s also meant to inspire people to practice safe driving and lower the collision rate. You can read more about winter driving and the Government of Ontario here.
A Good Car Insurance Policy is Essential For Winter
The winter is a tricky time for drivers because there are so many risks on the road.
It’s essential to have the best insurance policy during this season. For you, as well as the risks from other drivers. You don’t know if the other drivers have winter tires on their cars.
If you don’t have winter tires, you have a higher risk of hitting another car. This runs a higher risk for insurance claims as well as injuring that driver and potentially causing them a great deal of pain.
This is when it’s really important to work with an insurance broker. We can shop around and see which companies are giving the best winter tire discounts on car insurance.
While it’s mandatory by law that insurance companies give a winter tire discount, there’s no law governing exactly what that discount should be. That’s why you need us.
Don’t settle when we can find you the best insurance premium for your budget, with a good discount for winter tires.
The Benefits of Winter Tires
You might be wondering if it’s worth it to purchase winter tires just to save money on car insurance. But the reality is that winter tires are essential for driving during those harsh Canadian winters.
As your local insurance broker, we know the dreaded winter feelings all too well. We have to drive in the winter, too!
When you put winter tires on your car, you’re making sure that your car will be able to handle the conditions of the road.
Snow, ice, sleet, and slush are all conditions that can make roads very dangerous. Winter tires allow your car to increase its grip on the road and prevent your vehicle from sliding.
This will reduce your risk for collisions, not only with other vehicles but also with trees, poles, or other dangerous items.
We know from living in the areas with more rural communities that roads don’t always get plowed, or if they do, it doesn’t happen fast. Winter tires can help you when you have to navigate through your unplowed street to get to work safely.
You might be looking at the cost to buy winter tires and wondering if this is all really worth it.
The reality is that buying winter tires isn’t that expensive in the long run when you consider the fact that you’re prolonging the life of your regular tires. Since you’re now going to be alternating between the two sets of tires, they’ll last twice as long.
Some Quick Advice for Buying Winter Tires
When you’re ready to make the jump and buy winter tires, it can be hard to figure out where to start. As insurance experts who are winter drivers ourselves, we’re here to help.
Make sure your winter tires have a logo of a mountain with a snowflake on them. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation recommends this to make sure the tires are legitimate and safe.
This will also help to prove that you’ve installed winter tires on your car if you need to make an insurance claim.
You also want to make sure that all 4 of your winter tires are the same size with the same tread patterns. The best way to ensure this is to make sure you buy them together in sets of 4.
Can I Buy Used Winter Tires?
Yes, you can buy used winter tires, but you have to check for a few things.
Sometimes you can get a good deal from someone who is selling barely-used tires. But sometimes it’s not worth it.
Check the tread on the tires. If they’re too worn out, don’t take the deal. There are tread-wear indicators on each tire. Pay attention to how close the tire is worn, and if it’s too close to that indicator line, don’t buy them.
Always make sure you have the best car insurance premium at the best price, and that you’ve made sure you got your winter tire discount! The best way to do this is to get affordable car insurance through a broker you trust.
As always, if you have any questions about installing winter tires on your vehicle, or any other insurance needs, feel free to contact us.
