Winter weather can create serious challenges for businesses that depend on vehicles. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and reduced visibility can make everyday deliveries, service calls, and employee travel more dangerous.
Even businesses located in areas with relatively mild winters can experience unexpected freezing conditions. A sudden ice storm or overnight temperature drop may leave drivers facing hazardous roads they aren’t accustomed to navigating.
Preparing company vehicles before winter arrives can help reduce accidents, prevent unexpected breakdowns, and limit costly business interruptions.
Having appropriate commercial auto insurance is also an important part of managing these risks. While insurance may help with covered losses, preventive maintenance and safe driving procedures can help businesses avoid accidents in the first place.
Why Winter Weather Increases Commercial Driving Risks
Commercial vehicles often spend more time on the road than personal vehicles. Delivery trucks, service vans, and company cars may travel between multiple locations throughout the day, increasing their exposure to changing road conditions.
Winter driving hazards can include:
- Reduced traction on snowy or icy roads
- Longer stopping distances
- Limited visibility during snow, sleet, or freezing rain
- Battery failures in cold temperatures
- Reduced tire pressure
- Frozen windshield washer systems
- Unexpected road closures
These conditions can create problems for businesses operating a single vehicle or an entire fleet.
Inspect Vehicles Before Winter Arrives
One of the most effective ways to reduce winter driving risks is to inspect company vehicles before temperatures begin dropping.
Regular maintenance can identify mechanical issues that might become more serious during freezing weather.
Check Tires and Tire Pressure
Cold temperatures can reduce tire pressure, affecting handling and vehicle performance.
Businesses should inspect tire tread depth, inflation pressure, and overall condition. Depending on the climate and routes traveled, winter-rated tires or other approved traction equipment may be appropriate.
Drivers should also check tire pressure regularly throughout the season and follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
Test Batteries and Electrical Systems
Cold weather can make starting a vehicle more difficult, especially when its battery is already weak.
Have batteries tested before winter and inspect connections for corrosion or damage.
Commercial vehicles that make frequent stops may place additional demands on their electrical systems, making preventive maintenance especially important.
Inspect Brakes and Fluids
Reliable braking performance is critical when roads become slippery.
Brake inspections should address worn components, unusual noises, and other performance concerns.
Businesses should also confirm that coolant, windshield washer fluid, and other vehicle fluids are appropriate for expected temperatures.
Equip Vehicles With Winter Emergency Supplies
Even a properly maintained vehicle can become stranded during severe weather. A winter emergency kit can help drivers remain safer while waiting for assistance.
Useful supplies include:
- Flashlights and spare batteries
- Warm blankets and extra clothing
- First-aid supplies
- Drinking water and nonperishable food
- Ice scrapers and snow brushes
- Jumper cables or an approved jump starter
- Reflective warning equipment
- Phone chargers
- Traction materials when appropriate
Businesses should tailor emergency supplies to their vehicle types, operating areas, and applicable safety requirements.
Train Employees for Winter Road Conditions
Vehicle maintenance is only one part of winter preparation. Employees must also understand how to adjust their driving habits when road conditions deteriorate.
Winter driving training should emphasize:
Reducing Speed: Drivers should adjust their speed to road conditions rather than relying only on posted limits.
Increasing Following Distance: Snow and ice can significantly increase stopping distances.
Avoiding Sudden Movements: Abrupt braking, acceleration, or steering may cause a vehicle to lose traction.
Maintaining Visibility: Drivers should clear snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, and other necessary surfaces before traveling.
Knowing When to Stop: Employees should understand when weather conditions make continuing a trip unsafe.
Businesses can reinforce these practices through written driving policies, safety meetings, and seasonal training.
Establish a Winter Weather Driving Policy
Employees should not have to make every weather-related decision without guidance. A written winter driving policy can establish clear procedures for operating company vehicles during hazardous conditions.
Businesses should determine:
- Who monitors weather forecasts and road conditions
- When deliveries or service appointments should be postponed
- How employees report unsafe driving conditions
- Who authorizes route changes
- What drivers should do if a vehicle becomes stranded
- How employees report weather-related accidents
Employers should also review their existing motor vehicle safety procedures to ensure driver training, vehicle maintenance, accident reporting, and safe driving expectations are clearly addressed.
For additional guidance, Garrett Insurance’s article on employee driving policies covers driver qualifications, distracted driving, accident reporting, and other practices that can help reduce commercial auto claims.
Review Commercial Auto Insurance Before Winter
Despite careful preparation, winter accidents can still happen.
A commercial vehicle may slide into another vehicle, sustain damage during a collision, or experience damage from falling ice or other weather-related events. Different insurance coverages address different types of losses.
Collision Coverage: Generally helps pay for covered damage to an insured vehicle resulting from a collision, subject to deductibles and policy terms.
Comprehensive Coverage: May help with certain non-collision losses, such as falling objects, theft, or covered weather damage.
Liability Coverage: May help protect the business when an insured driver causes bodily injury or property damage to others.
Business owners should also review deductibles, coverage limits, and whether optional rental reimbursement or other protections are available.
Don’t Overlook Operational Disruptions
Winter accidents can affect more than vehicle repair expenses.
A delivery company may struggle to complete scheduled routes, while a contractor may lose access to a truck carrying essential equipment.
Businesses should develop contingency plans for vehicle downtime, including replacement transportation, alternate routes, and communication procedures for affected customers.
Reviewing broader commercial insurance coverage can help identify other business exposures that may need attention. However, commercial auto insurance should not be assumed to cover ordinary delays, lost revenue, or every weather-related disruption.
Prepare Your Fleet Before the First Winter Storm
Winter vehicle preparation is an important part of protecting employees, company assets, and daily operations.
By maintaining vehicles, providing driver training, monitoring weather conditions, and reviewing insurance coverage, businesses can reduce avoidable risks and respond more effectively when severe weather occurs.
At Garrett Insurance, we help businesses evaluate commercial auto coverage based on their vehicles, drivers, and operating needs.
Before winter weather creates problems for your business, contact Garrett Insurance to review your commercial auto protection and make sure your coverage reflects the vehicles, drivers, and winter driving risks your business faces.