Auto Insurance Claims Almost Double During Winter Months

November 23, 2011 – (Toronto, ON) � As parts of the country prepare for their first big blast of winter, Aviva Canada, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, is reminding drivers to exercise caution on the roadways.

Aviva Canada’s annual statistics show a 49 per cent increase in customer auto claims between December and February in comparison to the rest of year. Slippery roads, white-out conditions and other weather-related factors helped account for more than $37.1 million auto-collision claim payments last winter. The collision claim rate by insured drivers during the rest of the seasons sits at 3.1 per cent, and increases to 4.7 per cent during the winter months.

“Canadians are traditionally very experienced winter drivers, but the first snowfall of the year can be extremely challenging even for the most capable motorist,” said Mauro Convertini, Vice President of National Auto Claims at Aviva Canada. “It sounds very simple, but the biggest key to prevention is to slow down as icy road conditions result in vehicle sliding and skidding.”

Here are some helpful winter driving tips from Aviva Canada:

• Drive slowly and keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you.
• Don’t take any chances. If you don’t need to be on the roads, stay at home.
• Invest in snow tires and new windshield wipers. Snow tires allow drivers to stop up to 40 per cent faster than all-season tires.
• Pack an emergency kit at the start of the season and stow it in your trunk. Kit should include a flashlight, blanket, snow shovel, extra windshield washer fluid and anti-freeze, hazard flares and booster cables.
• Check the road conditions before getting behind the wheel and allow for more time to reach your destination.
• Program the number for a tow-truck company into your cell phone before the first snow fall, or for Aviva customers, use 1-866-MY AVIVA to access its Roadside Assistance Program.

“No matter the season, Aviva offers a single point of contact to ensure the claims process runs as smoothly as possible,” continued Convertini. “Through our 24/7 toll-free claims line 1-866-MY AVIVA, an Aviva Claims Care Advisor is available to ensure fast, reliable and personal support and service.”

About Aviva Canada

Aviva Canada Inc. is one of the leading Property and Casualty insurance groups in Canada, providing home, automobile, recreational vehicle, group and business insurance to more than three million customers. The group has more than 3,000 employees, 30 locations, 1,700 independent broker partners and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, the world’s sixth-largest insurance group. For more information visit avivacanada.com.