– Highest percentage of snow and ice claims ever: 70 per cent of all claims snow and ice related
– Drivers risking icy roads are putting themselves at risk
AA Insurance has experience one of its busiest days today (Monday 20th December) as snow and ice lead to a 100 per cent increase in car insurance claims, compared with a normal December Monday.
Claims staff at the AA’s Cardiff call centre, which itself is suffering some of the worst snow in the area for many years, have drafted managers in to help handle the work load.
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance says: “Call volumes are at unprecedented levels and we are prioritising the most urgent cases. The morning commute saw many people struggling to work with some icy roads resembling fairground dodgems as cars collide with each other and with kerbs, lamp posts and bollards. With heavy snow in many areas this evening we’re expecting a similar pattern to develop.
“Thankfully, the number of personal injury cases is about 10 per cent lower than on normal December days despite the high volume of claims, thanks to the low speed nature of most accidents.”
Mr Douglas said that over the weekend, which brought Britain almost to a halt, the number of claims overall was up by a more modest 22 per cent, compared with the previous weekend but traffic levels were considerably lower than normal because of the weather.
“But of all claims, an extraordinary 71 per cent of customers say that snow or ice contributed to their accident.”
He urged drivers to heed the advice of local police and only drive if absolutely necessary.
“It’s clear that highway authorities are unable to clear all roads and those that have been treated are re-freezing because in many areas the temperature is lower than minus 9 degrees C, below which salt becomes ineffective.
“If you take your car out on icy roads, you are at significantly greater risk of suffering a collision. Even if you have fitted winter tyres or snow chains, that won’t stop someone else from sliding into your car,” he points out.
Source : The AA Press Release
