If the first step does not result in the desired outcome, you can next turn to using traction to help get your vehicle moving again. Since traction works to overcome the constant spinning of the wheels, yet minus any actual acceleration, this process can add some more traction to allow movement as well.

This is where the kitty litter comes in. Here you can put kitty litter (or sand or salt) under the tires to give them something to cling to and help encourage movement of the vehicle. With any luck at this point, you have been able to get back in the car, hit the gas and free yourself from this unwanted predicament.

In the event, these first two attempts do not help you to get your vehicle back safety out on the road, you also need to keep yourself safe, as this should be a top consideration throughout this entire process. If you find yourself unable to get out from the snowy conditions, it is recommended that you remain inside your vehicle and do everything you can to keep yourself safe until help arrives.

It is of course critical, that you have first contact someone for help. Therefore, make sure you have your cell phone and it is fully charged. After contacting the appropriate individuals for assistance, such as family, friends, and/or Emergency Services, you should remain in your vehicle to keep as warm as possible. Again remember to be aware of your surroundings and do what you can to attract the attention of those who are able to come and help.

Since you won’t be able to have the car on the entire time, it is however important to have the engine on for various intervals of time. While you want to stay as warm as you can, you also do not want to deal with breathing in carbon monoxide. In this case, the best way to stay safe can be to balance this out by keeping a window cracked for some of the time, and also turning the car off intermittently in order to heat it for as long as possible. You can also keep yourself warmer by putting on the additional winter clothing you have in your vehicle as you wait for help to arrive.

You have already called for help, now you can do what you can to attract attention to your location and make it easier to be found.

Some methods of signalling others is to have your 4-way flashes on and to also consider tying a bright piece of clothing near the top of the car to act as a beacon for those passing by.  The flashlight you have in your kit can also come in handy here as it can be used to literally shine a light on where you are located. Whatever you can do to draw attention to yourself, while also remaining safe, is the best way to ensure you can get out of these dire circumstances as soon as possible.

Finally, do your best to stay as calm as you possibly can. You have taken the above steps to keep yourself safe and warm and to alert others to your location, now is a good time to try not to panic. Since panicking goes against our efforts to think rationally and in turn act safely, you can instead help yourself immensely during this situation by remembering to breathe and to remain as relaxed as you can.

Although some aspects of our daily lives have forced us to slow down and in some cases, we have even had to be put some of them on hold. As a result, insurance companies have adjusted the way they deliver insurance to their clients. With that said, these methods have not only continued to meet individual’s needs, they have also been maintained with both efficiency and the well-being of the clients in mind.

While it is true that individuals may be driving their vehicles a little bit less than they were prior to the pandemic, if they are car owners and are continuing to operate their vehicles, then they will still want to ensure that their insurance is kept up-to-date.

With COVID-19 unfortunately on the rise in many areas across Canada, insurance companies have taken some additional precautions to reduce the necessity for face-to-face contact, while still ensuring their clients have the essential insurance policies in place.

For example, clients can receive service over the phone and through email. This way, the in person contact is limited, and clients still have the necessary contact with their insurance agents. Conversations over the phone can still ensure clients are kept informed about the specifics of their policies and they can also get in touch when they are in need of making any adjustments to their insurance.

Additionally, when it comes to receiving the official paperwork, email or by regular mail is an effective method of ensuring the critical insurance documents are processed and delivered in a timely manner. In many cases, car owners can receive their vehicle renewal forms right away and can proceed with their daily needs, without any added worry – one thing we all can benefit from right now. Either way, clients can still feel both safe and satisfied with their insurance delivery.

As mentioned, there are many advantages to delivering insurance using virtual methods. Insurance clients can benefit from the convenience of staying home while continuing to access these services. Life can be very hectic and this option allows for a more efficient and less time-consuming process. In the event, someone is unwell and not able to leave their own, unless it is for an essential service, they can still move forward with their insurance renewals.

Staying home and protecting ourselves and each other, whenever possible, is of the upmost importance now more than ever. Therefore knowing that our insurance needs are adequately being met can help promote the well-needed peace of mind that when we need to use our vehicles, everything is in place and there is no need to worry about driving with either outdated or lapsed insurance.

On a final note, in the event someone is driving less regularly these days, whether it is due to the current pandemic or for other reasons, it is also worth contacting their insurance agent to discuss any necessary changes to their current policy.

First of all, it is important to wash your vehicle’s exterior on a regular basis. As temperatures drop and icy weather arrives, roads salt will be used to contribute to the safety of our driving. This material, however can also do a number on your car’s paint job. Furthermore, if there are any areas where rust has occurred, then the paint on your vehicle will be even more likely to experience additional damage. It is also recommended that you include a wax job afterwards, as the wax acts as a barrier by deterring the buildup of dirt, mud, water and snow, and of course, salt.

As for the interior, snow, water, and salt can also work their way into the inside of the vehicle and in turn can cause additional wear and tear to your vehicle’s upholstery. In order to avoid causing this type of damage to the interior of your vehicle, it is ideal to clean it regularly and remove any salt and snow before it leaves a deeper stain. For added protection against these elements, you can use rubber, all-weather mats to help keep the interior in good condition throughout the winter months.

Another method of protecting your car during the winter is to consider installing winter tires. While these can be a bit more expensive than other tires, this can also be seen as a bit of an investment in your vehicle and your safety. Not only do these tires help grip the roads in slippery conditions, and you can then also steer and break more effectively. In the end, with winter tires you are less likely to get stuck in deeper snow and yet can have more peace of mind that your vehicle will get you where you need to go – and as safely as possible.

Next on the list is the windshield wipers. While windshield wipers serve an important purpose all year round, they are likely to see a lot more action during the winter time. With that said, it is important to make sure your wipers are in good working order as the last thing you want is to not have them do their job, if you find you are driving in inclement weather.

Another essential protective measure is to ensure you are keeping your vehicle’s wiper fluid topped up. That said, the type of wiper fluid you choose is also important and can depend on the temperatures in your area. However, it is Canada after all, and while we can never know from one moment to another, how mild or how frigid our winters will be, it is none-the-less, a good preventative step to use a wiper fluid that is designed to support colder weather. These steps can ultimately help to improve the safety of your driving as well as protect your vehicle during the winter season.

When all is said and done, even if you do have your vehicle in good working order, it won’t matter if you are not driving smartly. In order to protect yourself and your car during winter driving it is equally important to approach this with safety in mind. For example, when roads are slippery, remember to drive with caution and awareness, and this can include, braking sooner and leaving extra space between the other vehicles and yourself. By being even more alert when driving on wintery roads, this can help protect your vehicle as well as others around you.

When it comes right down to it, a large part of protecting your vehicle and yourself while driving all year round has to do with having the proper insurance. Especially during winter, this can become even more critical.

Feel free to contact Leaders Insurance to find out more about how we can contribute to your approach to safe driving, as well as to help you protect your vehicle while you are out on the roads this winter.

Despite recent challenges in the worldwide economy – including fighting the effects of the coronavirus – the insurance industry remains resilient. While many insurers are looking for a way to achieve efficient spending, many also proactively invest in things like enhanced customer experience through digitalization and AI, and alternative product development.

In Canada, the insurance market has had a positive impact from the global rise in technology, with more than 60 percent of millennials in Canada believing in the safety of online insurance information. This opens up many possibilities for insurers to focus on a growing market, while taking into account the changing economy and shift in consumer priorities.

Let’s take a look at some of the current trends in Canada’s insurance market.

With Generation Y being the largest demographic in Canada, it also represents a large pool of consumers for insurers to target. However, according to KPMG, insurers need to change their approach if they want to target Canada’s millennials. Specifically, the focus should be on flexible insurance products and short-term solutions.

But to do this, data collection requires a complete re-think and this includes privacy protection and data security. The aim is to have real-time data that drives user-specific risk profiles.

One key element to the success of insurance companies this year and beyond, is the ability to collect and harness data on Canadians – specifically younger generations. It’s important for insurers to understand how they shift their priorities in order to create products that will support their modern lifestyles.

Chris Cornell, KMPG partner and national insurance sector leader, says, ‘Providing short-term, complementary, and personalised products means that Canadian insurance companies will need much stronger data collection and analysis tools.’ This could also lead to the ability for insurance providers to offer lower premiums while reducing their exposure to claims.

The insurance industry is home to a high level of competition and saturated areas such as home and motor insurance especially sees a lot of competitors competing for these markets. This means that to gain an edge, insurance companies need to differentiate themselves.

One way this can be achieved is by forming strategic alliances – which is different from an acquisition or merger. These alliances are common strategy among Canadian CEOs and it represents an arrangement between two providers or organizations to work together on a project while also having the ability to cut ties should it not work for either party.