Anatomy of a Storm-Ready Vehicle

It’s raining, it’s pouring, and ideally, your spring commute is boring. Follow this guide to ready your car for unexpected spring storms.

Who’s at Fault?

If you’re in a road accident that’s partially caused by weather conditions — like if you skid across ice and rear-end another car — it may seem like you’re not at fault, the weather is. But unfortunately, the weather cannot be found accountable for accidents (thanks, Mother Nature!), so fault would be determined the same way any other accident would be. The good news is that if your car loses a battle with nature (say, a flood) the damage can be covered under your comprehensive policy.

Safety Measures

• Fresh wiper blades. Consider streaks, squeaks, chatters, and smears the death rattle of bad wiper blades. Replace them every six to 12 months and replenish wiper fluid.
• Lights, not brights. During heavy rain, headlights and flashers aid visibility, while brights can potentially glare back into your windshield.
• Spread out. Stay a couple of seconds behind the car in front of you to maximize reaction time.
• Ideal lane placement. Reduce the risk of hydroplaning by driving in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you.
• Goin’ slow. Easy does it, especially right when it starts to rain and oils surface on the road before washing away.
• Cruise control off. Cruise control robs drivers of a fraction of potentially lifesaving reaction time. Stay poised for a quick response by keeping cruise control off in inclement weather.
• Quiet brake pads. Always get your brakes inspected when you get an oil change. Their average life-span is 30,000 to 70,000 miles, but grinding or squealing sounds also indicate their time is up.
• Properly inflated tires. Air up your tires to improve traction, especially when driving in the rain. Low tire pressure squeezes your tread, which reduces its ability to channel away water on the road.
• Emergency kit. Include a flashlight, flares or triangles, visibility vest, blanket, jumper cables, paper towels, and kitty litter to spread under your tires if you get stuck in mud.

Spring Break Driving FAQs

Paula Stiles-Altman, a Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent in Stanton, answers common questions drivers face this season.

• Does full coverage include flooding? “Yes. But my first advice is, ‘Turn around, don’t drown!’”
• What about if I’m renting a car? “Full coverage covers rental cars. I also always tell clients to get extra insurance through the rental company if they’re out of state, though, because those claims can take longer to process over state lines.”
• What if someone else drives my car? “You can give anyone permission to drive your vehicle, unless they are an excluded driver from your policy — but if they wreck it, you’re liable for the damage.”

Do you have an evacuation plan for sudden spring storms? Follow this guide.  

Coverage and discounts are subject to qualifications and policy terms and may vary by situation.