Having your car break down on the road is an unpleasant experience regardless of the season, but getting stranded in winter is especially dangerous. Thus, you should know what precautions to take while waiting for assistance to arrive. The following tips will help you stay safe in this situation, and minimize your chances of needing to file an accident claim with your insurance agency.

What to Do if You Get Stranded on the Road During Winter

1. Stay With the Vehicle

In most cases, you should stay with your vehicle during a breakdown in adverse conditions. Your car will provide shelter from the freezing temperatures and other elements, such as rain, wind, and snow. This will also prevent you from getting lost while searching for help and suffering injuries due to the weather.

Keep supplies in your vehicle for emergencies, including blankets, water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, phone charger, flashlight, batteries, and flares.

2. Make Sure You’re Visible

When you get stranded near the road where others are traveling, ensure you remain visible to the flow of traffic. If drivers can’t see you, there’s a higher risk of them crashing into your car, causing further damages you’ll have to report to your insurance agency. Turning on your hazard lights, setting up flares or warning triangles, and leaving the hood up on your vehicle will help make you more noticeable.

3. Clear the Exhaust Pipe

Though running your car engine will help keep you warm, you must be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Once it’s safe to exit your vehicle, check that there isn’t any snow blocking the exhaust pipe. Also, when you turn the car on, roll down a window to properly ventilate the cabin.

To make sure you’re adequately protected and have access to roadside assistance when you’re out in winter, contact Pearson & Barnes Insurance. Offering more than 20 years of combined industry experience, this insurance agency has provided countless drivers in Somerset, KY, with high quality and affordable coverage. They understand that life is full of unexpected events and will help you secure auto insurance you can rely on should disaster strike. Call (606) 679-1450 to request a quote, or visit the insurance agency online for more information about their products.