Wet weather driving tips. 25/07/13


Now that many parts of the UK are experiencing heavy rain and thunderstorms, now is a good time to refresh your memory with regard to the driving techniques necessary to stay safe in wet weather.

The key difference between driving on a dry road and driving on a wet road is that surface water dramatically reduces the amount of grip available for your tyres.

This means that the distance that you would normally need to stop your car is effectively doubled.

This and other problems such as flooding require extra precautions to be taken to avoid putting yourself and your passengers in danger.

  • Keep extra distance between you and the vehicle in front to enable you to stop safely in an emergency

  • If your steering becomes unresponsive, reduce your speed gradually until control is returned

  • If rain or spray is affecting your visibility, once again reduce your speed and keep plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front

  • Be aware that diesel spilt on the road can make the road surface slippery

  • Look out for and take extra care when manoeuvring near pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles and horse riders

  • Take extreme care if you encounter flooded areas of road. Slow right down and if you suspect the water is too deep then turn around when safe to do so and find an alternative route

More advice can be found here for driving in wet weather and here for driving in floods.





No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury