Driving during a weather warning will affect your car insurance policy
There are no rules against driving where there is a red weather warning, though people are advised to be a particularly careful if they choose to do so.
A comprehensive car insurance should still cover you for any damage caused by the treacherous weather.
However, if you’re driving irresponsibly in bad weather and this has led to a collision, your insurer may not pay out.
The Met Office issues warnings ahead of severe or hazardous weather which has the potential to cause ‘damage, widespread disruption and/or danger to life’
As more bad weather heads our way, many drivers are wondering what a weather warning means for their car insurance.
This is because, over the last few years, rumours have swirled around social media that a warning makes your car insurance invalid.
However, insurance companies insist comprehensive insurance will cover any damage caused to a person’s vehicle by the storm.
So what’s the truth of the matter – and what exactly is a red weather warning?
Does a weather warning affect your car insurance?
Your insurance cover should remain valid whatever the weather, but don’t take that as a green flag to drive without giving heed to the alert.
Simply knowing you’re going to get a pay-out shouldn’t mean you take undue risks.
If your insurance company can prove contributory negligence on your part, your claim might be questioned, and any pay-out reduced.
For example, if you drove into a swollen ford where there was a warning in place and your car stalled and was ruined by water, your claim might not be paid.
You might not even be entitled to recovery by your roadside rescue policy because you had recklessly got yourself into trouble.
A spokesman for the AA said: “We urge common sense, no one wants to be stuck in these conditions and it may be that instead of visiting relatives and plan to go home, postponing going home might be more sensible.”
What do insurers say?
A spokesman for Direct Line said: “We will advise all customers for their own personal safety to listen to local news and local authorities about venturing out in extreme weather.
“But it doesn’t make your insurance null and void.
“People should be careful when the weather is so extreme and shouldn’t really venture out unless its an extreme necessity.”
A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers added: “We would urge all drivers to pay close attention to advice from local authorities and the emergency services in areas affected by snow – particularly where there is a red warning.
“People’s safety is paramount. However social media rumours that motor insurance will be invalid if people drive during a red warning are not true.
“Motor insurance will cover you in the usual way, providing you are driving within the law.”
The Met Office issues warnings ahead of severe or hazardous weather which has the potential to cause ‘damage, widespread disruption and/or danger to life’.
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The warnings are given a colour to reflect the seriousness and likelihood of the impact, ranging from yellow, amber and red.
Red is, unsurprisingly, the most serious of the weather warnings.
It means extreme weather is expected.
Driving during a weather warning will affect your car insurance policy
Credit : Walesonline
