Winter is fast approaching, and with it comes the season’s unique set of challenges, especially on the road. Today, we’re taking a closer look at winter driving: the issues to keep on your radar, the risks that often go overlooked, and how to prepare yourself before the snow starts to fall.
If you think back to learning how to drive, chances are the bulk of your winter-driving lesson was “turn into the slide.” Same here. And while that’s helpful, it barely scratches the surface of what it takes to navigate winter weather safely. The reality is that driving in snow and icy conditions involves a wide range of considerations, far more than most of us were taught.
With more than 70% of U.S. roads located in snowy regions, understanding how to stay safe behind the wheel during the winter months is essential. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll break down the key factors to be mindful of this season so you, your vehicle, and your insurance coverage are all ready for whatever winter sends your way.
In the US alone, there are nearly 200,000 vehicle incidents per year attributable to driving in wintery conditions.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter
Winter driving introduces challenges for both you and your vehicle, and taking the time to prepare is the best way to stay safe once temperatures drop. As the saying goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Winter storms can move in quickly, bringing rapid temperature swings, heavy snow, and icy conditions that can make roads treacherous and, in severe cases, leave drivers stranded. To help you get ahead of the season, we’ve assembled a clear 2025-ready checklist to ensure your vehicle is winter-ready.
Clearing Snow from Your Car
Before heading out, make sure your entire vehicle is cleared of snow and ice. This includes the roof, hood, trunk, and especially the front and rear windshields for proper visibility. Snow left on the roof can slide off in sheets, creating hazards for drivers behind you, or your own car. In Massachusetts, while there is no law specifically mandating snow removal, snow or ice falling off your vehicle can be considered an unsecured load, potentially resulting in fines or liability if it causes an incident.
More importantly, removing snow helps keep everyone safer on the road. We’ve all felt that moment of panic when the car ahead sends a block of snow flying back toward us. Taking a few extra minutes to clear your vehicle avoids that risk entirely.
Tire Tread and Winter Tire Considerations
As temperatures begin to fall, checking your tire tread is one of the simplest and most important steps you can take. Adequate tread depth ensures your tires can properly grip the road and channel away snow, slush, and water. When tread is worn, stopping distances increase significantly, even in light snow.
A quick way to check tread depth is to use the penny test: insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head pointing downward. If you can see the top of his head, it’s time to replace your tires.
If you live in an area with regular snow or icy roads, consider upgrading to all-weather tires or switching to a dedicated winter tire set each season. Winter tires are engineered with special tread patterns and rubber compounds that stay flexible in freezing temperatures, significantly improving traction and control. For drivers who frequently encounter snow or ice, winter tires remain one of the most effective safety upgrades available.
Keeping Your Gas Tank Full
Cold weather can affect your fuel system in subtle ways. A tank that’s kept near empty is more susceptible to condensation forming inside, which can freeze during cold snaps. When that happens, you may struggle to start your vehicle or experience rough engine performance due to frozen moisture in the fuel lines.
During the winter months, aim to keep your tank at least halfway full to reduce this risk and ensure you have enough fuel should you encounter delays, detours, or unexpected traffic backups during storms.
Additional Winter Essentials
Beyond preparing your vehicle mechanically, it’s wise to keep a few seasonal tools and supplies in your car:
- A snow and ice scraper
- A snow shovel for digging out buried wheels or parking spots
- Sand or salt for traction if your vehicle gets stuck
- De-icing windshield washer fluid
- Emergency items such as blankets, gloves, a flashlight, and portable phone charger
One critical safety reminder: if you shelter in your vehicle during a storm, always ensure the exhaust tailpipe is completely clear of snow. Blocked exhaust can cause deadly carbon monoxide to accumulate inside the cabin. Each year, preventable tragedies occur because drivers were unaware of this risk.
Driving During the Winter
Now that we have reviewed some of the main considerations when preparing your car for driving during the winter, let’s turn to actually driving. There are nearly 200,000 vehicle incidents per year attributable to driving in wintry conditions in the US alone. Many of these incidents could have possibly been avoided through mindful preparation. Here are a few key winter driving tips before heading out this winter season:
- Driving in the winter conditions can take longer. Plan on allowing additional time for your commute or trip.
- Take notice of which roads you are traveling on. Backroads, Main Roads, and Highways are often cleared at different times, so they may present differing driving conditions.
- Allow more space between cars on the road as the stopping distance is greatly increased when driving in snow and icy conditions. Giving yourself more room between the next vehicle will allow you to slow down and prevent skidding.
Preparing Your Insurance Policy
Winter driving applies to both commercial and personal accounts. There are three steps to take to prepare for winter driving: prepare your car, prepare yourself and prepare your policy. We focused on the first two already. Now, in this section, we are solely focused on preparing your insurance policy. When preparing your policy make sure to review your current policy, in full.
Deductible, Premium & Collision: Consider whether your deductible is set appropriately for winter. If you expect to drive less, you may choose to raise your deductible. If you’ll be driving more often or in higher-risk conditions, lowering it may offer peace of mind.
Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive coverage protects you from non-collision damage, such as snow-laden tree limbs falling onto your vehicle. Winter weather increases the likelihood of these types of claims, so ensure your coverage is sufficient.
Teen Drivers: If you have teen drivers, consider sending them to skid school or a winter driving program. These courses build confidence and competence in snowy conditions, and many carriers offer premium discounts upon completion.
Umbrella Policy: An umbrella policy provides additional liability protection in the event of a major accident. Winter conditions increase the chances of multi-vehicle incidents or loss-of-control collisions, making umbrella coverage especially valuable. If your vehicle were to slide through an icy intersection and collide with another car, the financial impact could be substantial. An umbrella policy helps shield your assets and provide additional peace of mind.
If you’d like support reviewing your current auto and umbrella policies, the Deland, Gibson team is here to help. We can walk through your coverage, discuss your driving patterns, and recommend updates to position you for a safe and well-protected winter season.
Providing You Peace of Mind
Deland, Gibson: a Trusted Choice, Five Star Accredited independent insurance agency. Established in Massachusetts in 1900, Deland, Gibson is a 4th generation family-run insurance agency that has thrived working as a trusted advisor for its client base. We work with individuals and businesses to lower their Total Cost of Risk. We analyze a client’s direct and indirect costs and implement risk reduction plans to address areas of business, hazard, or strategic risk.
