A man holds his smart phone with a car in the background, showing some simple ways to avoid the most common car insurance claims

Planning on taking a road trip or just heading out on your daily commute to work? Here are a few pointers to help you steer clear of the three most common types of collisions that could result in car insurance claims.

Rear-end collisions 

Rear-end collisions are the leading cause of car insurance claims, making up about a quarter of all Economical auto claims across the country. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to avoid ending up in a rear-end collision:

  1. Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. This is especially important in wet or snowy conditions, when it can take longer to stop than you might expect.
  2. Try not to slam on the brakes. If the driver behind you is following too closely or isn’t paying attention when you slam on the brake pedal, you could find yourself being rear-ended.
  3. Don’t drive distracted. If you take your eyes off the road (to check your teeth in the rear-view mirror, for example) and the driver in front of you has to slam on the brakes, it’ll only take a split second for you to run into their vehicle.

Parked car collisions

The second most common type of car insurance claim happens when a parked vehicle is hit by another driver (including hit and runs, where a driver who hits a parked car drives away without leaving their contact information). While there isn’t a whole lot you can do to protect your parked vehicle from other drivers, you can reduce your chances of experiencing a parking lot hit and run:

  1. Take a walk. Instead of parking in the busiest part of the lot, choose an area farther away from heavy traffic, shopping cart stations, and other obstacles. You’ll reduce your chances of dings and dents, and you’ll get some exercise while you’re at it.
  2. Park inside the lines. When entering a parking spot, try to park in the centre of the spot, rather than parking closer to one side or the other. If you park closer to one side, your car is more likely to be hit by another driver or a swinging door.
  3. Give them room. If you’re pulling into a spot beside another vehicle, avoid getting too close. Think about how much room the other driver will need to get back into their car — ideally without banging their door into yours.

Single-vehicle collisions

Single-vehicle collisions are the third most common type of accident leading to car insurance claims. These include collisions with debris or animals on the road, vehicle rollovers, or accidental off-road driving. Here are three ways to avoid being involved in a single-vehicle collision:

  1. Drive for the weather. Even if you’re the only one on the road on a wet or snowy day, remember to drive according to the current weather conditions to keep control of your vehicle and avoid a collision. Learn how to avoid hydroplaning on rainy days and prepare for winter driving before the season hits.
  2. Keep your eyes on the road. An empty road isn’t an invitation to glance down at your phone. When you’re behind the wheel, your eyes should be on the road ahead. Most modern vehicles come equipped with some kind of hands-free technology or steering wheel controls to help you keep your eyes on the road, even if you need to make an emergency call or change the radio station.
  3. Watch your speed. Speed is a factor in many single-vehicle collisions. Always keep an appropriate speed for the current driving conditions.

While there are plenty of things you can do to avoid a collision, it’s not always possible to predict or prevent an accident — and that’s why you have car insurance. Your group’s licensed broker can help you choose the coverage you’ll need to protect you in the event of a collision, and they’ll be there for you if you ever have to make a claim.

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