Winter Safe Driving Guide: Multiple Insurance Types Ensure Safe Driving

       The first snow of 2012 came earlier than usual. In early November, Beijing was hit by sudden heavy snow, with some areas like Yanqing and Changping seeing nearly one meter of snow accumulation, causing inconvenience and even significant losses to people’s lives and work. However, if you have purchased the appropriate insurance, the majority of risks can be covered by the insurance company, thereby minimizing losses. So what kind of insurance protection plans should consumers prepare in the cold winter to reduce losses and resist “risks” to the greatest extent?

　　In winter, roads become slippery after snowfall in northern regions, making it easy for pedestrians to slip and fall. The cold weather also makes the body stiffer, increasing the risk of various injuries, especially for the elderly and children. Experts from Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance pointed out that consumers can transfer the losses caused by such accidents by purchasing accident insurance. For example, Ping An currently offers specialized fracture accident insurance for the elderly, covering fracture-related accidents and medical liabilities. There are also accident insurance policies for students, children, and the general public, providing multiple protections such as accidental medical expenses and accidental allowances, helping to alleviate the financial burden caused by accidents.

　　In cases of injuries due to slippery roads after snow, accident insurance, accidental medical insurance, and regular health insurance all offer coverage for such incidents. Therefore, medical expenses resulting from slips, falls, or fractures caused by slippery roads in snowy weather can be claimed from the insurance company through regularly purchased accident insurance or additional accidental medical insurance. However, it is worth noting that if the purchased accident insurance policy does not include accidental medical expense coverage, compensation cannot be obtained through insurance.

　　In winter, due to the cold weather, households with heating may experience pipe bursts caused by pressure issues, and some families with solar water heaters may also face outdoor pipe ruptures due to freezing temperatures. For such losses, experts from Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance recommend that consumers purchase home property insurance, supplemented with water and heating pipe burst loss insurance for added protection. In addition, the aforementioned products from Ping An can also cover losses caused by water damage to indoor property due to outdoor pipe bursts or those of upstairs or neighboring households.

　　Generally, the coverage of home property insurance includes indoor property such as decoration, furniture, and clothing. In addition to risks faced by the building structure itself, there are also significant risks such as theft, losses from water damage after pipe bursts, and liability for damages. Policyholders of home property insurance usually opt for additional theft and pipe burst insurance. Therefore, even after purchasing mortgage insurance, it is still necessary to get home property insurance. This way, most losses can be compensated through insurance when an incident occurs.

　　Winter is also a great season for travel, with many activities unique to this time of year, such as skiing and viewing ice lanterns. At the same time, many people choose to escape the cold by traveling to southern regions or even the Southern Hemisphere. No matter the method, being on the road inevitably involves various risks. Experts from Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance suggest that consumers should plan ahead and prepare a suitable insurance policy for their trip to ensure travel safety. Ping An’s domestic and international travel insurance series are specifically designed to address various risks during travel, offering comprehensive coverage including personal accidents, loss of luggage, flight delays, and travel changes, providing protection for travelers.

　　Among these, flight delays caused by weather conditions such as heavy snow are common in daily life. If passengers have purchased aviation accident insurance, they can receive compensation from the insurance company according to the terms of the policy. The validity period of aviation accident insurance generally runs from takeoff to landing, so even if a flight is delayed, the validity period of the insurance will be extended accordingly. Aviation accident insurance offers broad coverage, and its terms stipulate that if the fixed-flight aircraft the insured is about to board is delayed for a continuous period due to severe weather, natural disasters, mechanical failures, strikes, hijacking or sabotage, temporary protests by other air or sea transport workers, terrorist acts, air traffic control, or airline overbooking, the insurer will compensate up to the insured amount.

　　Motor vehicles are the most common means of transportation in daily life. During heavy snow, slippery roads increase the likelihood of traffic accidents, resulting in vehicle damage and casualties, sometimes with significant losses.

　　Many car owners, in order to save on premiums, often only purchase compulsory traffic insurance. Since China’s compulsory traffic insurance system has a limit of 2,000 yuan for property damage compensation, any amount exceeding this must be borne by the car owner, making compulsory insurance insufficient in many cases. Therefore, claims adjusters from Anbang Insurance recommend that private car owners not only purchase “Compulsory Traffic Accident Liability Insurance” but also insure their vehicles with “Motor Vehicle Loss Insurance,” “Third-Party Liability Insurance,” “Passenger Liability Insurance,” and corresponding no-deductible rate additional insurance.

　　“Third-Party Liability Insurance” refers to commercial third-party liability insurance, which covers the insured vehicle’s legal liability for personal injury or direct property damage to a third party caused by an accident during use, with the insurer compensating for amounts exceeding the sub-limits of compulsory insurance as per the contract.

　　“Motor Vehicle Loss Insurance,” commonly known as collision insurance, covers vehicle losses caused by listed reasons during use, with the insurer responsible for compensation as per the contract. For family-use vehicles, listed causes mainly include: collision, rollover, or falling; fire or explosion; falling or collapsing of external objects; and natural disasters such as storms or tornadoes. Among these, collisions, rollovers, and falls caused by heavy snow, as well as damage from the collapse of external objects (e.g., trees falling on vehicles due to snow), all fall within the scope of insurance compensation.

　　Winter Safe Driving Guide

　　To ensure safe driving in winter, claims adjusters from Anbang Insurance advise car owners to focus on the “Four Preventions”: anti-freezing, anti-skidding, anti-fogging, and fire prevention.

　　Vehicles parked outdoors overnight should be parked in dry, sheltered locations, with the front of the car facing the direction of the wind. When starting the engine the next day, warm it up first. After starting, wait 5–10 minutes until the engine coolant temperature reaches around 50 degrees Celsius before driving. Once started, drive slowly for a while until the undercarriage operates normally, then you may accelerate.

　　When driving on icy or slippery roads, drive at reduced speeds and avoid sudden braking to prevent skidding or loss of steering control. On steep slopes, narrow roads, or dangerous bridges, maintain a steady speed when going uphill, use engine braking when going downhill, and slow down in advance when turning. Increase the following distance and, when meeting other vehicles, stop and yield at a wide spot 100–150 meters away. If the road is extremely slippery, use anti-skid chains.

　　When encountering thick fog that impedes progress, stop and wait for the fog to clear before continuing. When visibility is within 30 meters, do not exceed 20 km/h. While driving, turn on fog lights, low beams, and tail lights. When meeting oncoming vehicles, honk first, slow down, and yield. Do not drive against traffic, cut in, or overtake vehicles moving in the same direction. For driving safety, a defogger is a key feature to consider in winter.

　　Drivers must control man-made sources of fire. It is strictly prohibited to use blowtorches or charcoal to heat the engine, fuel tank, or fuel lines. The use of lighters, matches, or oil lamps for illumination inside the vehicle is forbidden. Smoking is not allowed when refueling, and it is strictly prohibited to install unauthorized devices such as electric heating elements or cigarette lighters inside the cab. When the vehicle is parked or undergoing maintenance, do not set up stoves or conduct welding work in the vicinity.

　　Under normal circumstances, self-rescue is always the first strategy after an emergency occurs. Therefore, consumers should acquire certain self-rescue knowledge to minimize losses in the first instance. Anbang Insurance claims adjusters recommend a “four-step” approach:

　　1. Call the police immediately, especially in cases involving injury or property damage. Protect the scene while taking self-rescue and safety measures.

　　Tip 1: After an accident on the road, place a warning sign 150 meters behind the accident site.

　　Tip 2: Relevant personnel should not stand in the middle of the road but should evacuate to a safe area.

　　Tip 3: If there are injuries, the injured should be rescued while preserving the scene according to the law. For example, take photos or videos of the scene, and mark the positions of vehicles and people.

　　2. Immediately notify the insurance company to conduct an inspection and take reasonable rescue and protective measures for the vehicle.

　　3. Cooperate with the insurance company in surveying and investigating the accident scene, and assessing the losses caused by the accident.

　　4. After repairing the vehicle and obtaining relevant documentation for third-party personal injury and property loss compensation, file a claim with the insurance company.

　　Anbang Insurance claims adjusters advise vehicle owners to maintain close contact with the insurance company after an insurance incident. Representatives can not only provide professional guidance but also offer expert advice on handling personal injuries and legal consultations.