The first frost and losses of nearly 10,000 euros due to a damaged car
The first frost and losses of nearly 10,000 euros due to a damaged car – BTA urges drivers not to leave changing their tyres until the last minute
Although it is compulsory in Latvia to fit winter tyres to cars from 1 December, the experience of BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS (hereinafter – BTA) shows that it is not always safe to wait until this date to change tyres. Over the past three autumns, BTA has paid out a total of 457,000 euros in CASCO insurance claims for accidents in which cars skidded due to weather conditions or the state of the road surface. Given that weather forecasters are predicting both rain and night-time temperatures dropping below zero in the coming weeks, BTA urges drivers to fit winter tyres in good time, before driving conditions become dangerous.
Although the use of summer tyres is still permitted in November, this does not necessarily mean that they are suitable for the actual driving conditions. In autumn, weather conditions can change rapidly, and a combination of factors – rain, wet fallen leaves, as well as frost and black ice, which can form in the evening and early morning hours – can significantly reduce grip on the road surface.
Black ice is particularly treacherous – a thin, almost transparent layer of ice that can be almost imperceptible to a driver, as it is visually difficult to distinguish from wet tarmac. Black ice forms when moisture on the road freezes as the surface temperature drops to 0 °C or below, even if the air temperature remains above zero. The risk of black ice forming is particularly high on bridges and viaducts, as well as on stretches of road surrounded by woodland and near bodies of water.
BTA’s claims experience also highlights the danger of black ice as early as the autumn months. At the end of October last year, a driver skidded on black ice, even though the air temperature was +3 °C. In this incident, CASCO insurance payout amounted to 9,700 euros due to the damage caused to the car. In another accident towards the end of October last year, whilst driving on summer tyres along a road in a wooded area, a car skidded on a bend where the road surface was covered in mud and fallen leaves. The air temperature at the time was –0.5 °C. As a result of the collision, the car’s front bumper, wing mirror, headlamp mountings and other bodywork parts were damaged, and the CASCO insurance payout exceeded 7,000 euros.
Icy roads create dangerous situations not only for drivers of passenger cars but also for lorries. For example, in an accident recorded by BTA, a lorry with a trailer skidded on an icy road and slid into a ditch. The compensation for damage to the trailer exceeded 28,000 euros.
“It is important not only to change from summer tyres to winter tyres in good time, but also to ensure that this is done properly and safely. Wheel bolts that are not tightened sufficiently can come loose whilst driving, whilst lifting the vehicle incorrectly can cause serious damage to the bodywork or even endanger people’s safety. We therefore recommend entrusting tyre changes to professionals who have the necessary equipment and knowledge of the technical requirements of your specific car. Furthermore, it is worth planning your tyre change well in advance – if you leave it until 1 December, you may face long queues at garages,” emphasises Ivo Danče, Director of the Claims Department at BTA.
BTA’s claims experience also includes cases where damage to a car was caused not by a road traffic accident, but during the tyre change itself. Last year, several CASCO claims were recorded in which a jack that had been positioned incorrectly or not secured properly slipped, damaging the car’s sill.
“Winter tyres differ from summer tyres not only in their tread pattern, but also in the composition of the rubber, which is adapted to lower temperatures. In cold weather, summer tyres become stiffer, which can reduce grip on the road and increase braking distances, even if there is no snow yet.
However, when preparing for the winter season, it is important not only to change your tyres but also to check their technical condition. For winter tyres on light vehicles, the minimum tread depth is 4 mm; however, as the tread approaches this limit, the tyres will soon need to be replaced, as within about a month they will no longer comply with road traffic regulations and may pose safety risks on the roads. Tyres should also be inspected visually to ensure they have no damage or cracks that may have occurred due to incorrect storage. You should also check that winter tyres bear the correct ‘mountain and snowflake’ symbol and once fitted, that the tyre pressure complies with the car manufacturer’s specifications. “These checks are just as important as the tyre change itself,” explains Oskars Irbītis, a road safety expert at the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD).
