Zurich found that, on average, there were 14% more car insurance claims in the first three months of the year than the remaining nine, based on five years' worth of claims data. And the recent cold snap is likely to make things more hazardous still for the country's motorists.
But, with the cost of fuel and insurance escalating, the last thing you need is to lose your No Claims Discount (NCD) just because you were unprepared for the cold weather.
We take a closer look at how to keep both risks and costs to a minimum.
Safety check your vehicle
Cold weather, ice and snow are enough to deal with when your car is in good working order, but fail to carry out some basic checks and you could be making things a lot worse for yourself.
Your tyres need to be inflated to their correct level, which you'll find in the car owner's manual. If you don't have your manual you can find a digital copy by searching online.
There needs to be at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tyre's surface. The less tread your tyres have, the less grip you'll have on the road, especially if it's covered with snow or ice. So keeping an eye on your tyres could prevent an accident and a potential car insurance claim.
Your oil, water, anti-freeze and brake fluid will also need to be topped up to the correct levels.
For example, your oil will become thicker in the cold weather, so your engine will have to work harder to push it around. Low oil reserves aren't going to make this task any easier, making it more important to keep it topped up.
Similarly, if your brake fluid levels have dropped your brakes won't be as effective - which is especially dangerous on icy or wet roads. So make sure your brake fluid levels are correct.
Wet roads and winter sunshine can cause serious glare, which can make it almost impossible to see through a dirty windscreen. Consider keeping a pair of sunglasses in the car to make things easier for your eyes and keep screen wash levels topped up to enable you to clean your windscreen at all times.
Prepare for a breakdown
The dark and cold winter months put more strain on your car's battery as you turn on heaters, lights and demisters. It also puts strain on your engine as your oil thickens. As a result, breakdowns tend to be a lot more common during the winter months.
If it isn't already included as part of your car insurance policy, consider taking out breakdown cover. This will stop you from getting stranded if your car does break down. There are various levels of breakdown cover available so you should shop around to find a policy which best suits you.
You can find out more about the different kinds of cover available in Clare Walsh's article, Have you got breakdown cover?
Even if you do have breakdown cover, you may have to wait for an hour or longer for someone to come and rescue you, so it's a good idea to pack a 'survival kit' in your boot. Warm clothes, a blanket, a torch, a shovel and even some non-perishable food will keep you comfortable until help arrives.
'Freeze' your car insurance costs
Driving is undoubtedly getting more expensive. Research from Hastings Direct found that 78% of more than 1,000 drivers polled, said the rising cost of motoring has affected how often they drive. One in five of those drivers said they would give up their cars completely if petrol hits £2 per litre.
But you can take the cost of your car insurance into your own hands however by taking a few simple steps to keep costs down.
Firstly, don't auto-renew your policy when your current policy ends. Instead, shop around for a better deal. MoneySupermarket research found that motorists are throwing away a collective £2.4billion each year by sticking with their current provider, so use our comparison tools to see if you can get a better deal.
Improving security can help to lower your premiums, as the vehicle will be harder to steal and you're less likely to make a claim for theft. Consider fitting insurer-approved steering wheel locks or alarms.
You could also pay for your policy upfront rather than monthly and avoid the interest added, or increase your voluntary excess - but remember that you will have to pay this in the event of a claim, so make sure you can afford it.
You can find more tips about keeping down the cost of car insurance in Melanie Wright's article, Drive down car insurance costs.
Please note: Any rates or deals mentioned in this article were available at the time of writing.
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