Driver’s Autumn Season Checklist & What to Do to Keep the Rising Cost of Auto Insurance Under Wraps!

Updated October 2nd, 2020

As the seasons change, so, too, do road conditions and the driving habits. If you’re not mindful of these changes, you could be putting yourself at a greater risk for having an accident and experiencing a rate hike on your car insurance policy.

The autumn season has different driving hazards than other seasons.

In order to help you avoid any such risk and increased car insurance rates, we’ve compiled a list of 5 factors to consider when driving this autumn season. By keeping these factors in mind while driving, you’ll be able to enjoy a fall season free of accidents and tickets while maintaining your current discounted car insurance rates. 

Driving in the Autumn Season is a Great Time to Check &  do Following:

School’s back in session & some drivers incur tickets which could raise your Auto Insurance

The arrival of the school year means one thing for most drivers, and that is that it’s time to start your commute at least a few minutes earlier than you did during the summer.

Between school buses and heavy traffic around school zones, your commute will likely be a few minutes longer in the fall. By leaving a few minutes earlier than you had in the summer, you may be able to avoid the buses entirely or at least give yourself a few extra minutes to account for the frequent stops that you’ll have to endure.

It’s recommended that you do not put yourself in a position where you’re tempted to pass a school bus full of children or blow right by a bus stopped to pick up kids simply because you’re running late.

Not only are you putting yourself and innocent children at risk by acting in such a foolish manner, but you’re also making yourself the prime target for a ticket at the start of this fall season.

By making slight changes in your routine to account for the start of the school year, you’ll keep yourself out of trouble and, thus, keep your car insurance rates down.

Top Cities To Drive During the Fall or Autumn Season

Click Link for Local Auto Insurance Agents

Table list from Huffingtonpost.com

Leaves, Pesky Potholes and Being Mindful of Obstacles

The return of the school year is not the only dramatic change facing drivers during the fall season. The new season brings beautiful landscapes marked by the changes in leaf colors.

However, these leaves will soon start to fall and serve as potential hazards to drivers. When driving, it is important to be mindful of any bunches of leaves of the road, as they can be incredibly slippery when wet.

Falling leaves can hide driving hazards.

It can be quite difficult to steer and brake when driving over wet leaves. That’s why we recommend that you take turns a big slower this fall, and always remember to keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. By taking such precautions, you’ll be able to avoid any sort of accident, and thus keep your car insurance rates down.

Trucks can Catch you Off-guard Causing You to Get a Ticket or Possible an Accident

For many retailers, the arrival of the fall season means that the holidays are around the corner. That usually means that shipments will start to increase to provide for increased inventory in warehouses and retail storefronts.

Whether you’re driving on a highway or local road, it is best to mindful of any trucks on the road, and to take any necessary precautions. Trucks typically take a longer time to brake than cars, so be careful when changing lanes by making sure there’s enough space between you and the truck behind you. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a Causation Study analysis for crash risk. 

It’s also important to remember to give enough space between your car and the truck ahead of you, as line of visibility in a truck is different from that in a car. Should you be following too closely, there’s a good chance that the truck driver won’t see you, putting you in a position of unnecessary risk.

Proper Tire Pressure Saves Money & Keeps Your Vehicle Working Properly

The autumn season typically brings about sudden swings in temperature. These dramatic changes can cause havoc on your tire pressure, with warmer temperatures increasing the overall pressure, and lower temperatures decreasing it.

These changes in pressure can impact the way your car handles on the road, particularly with respect to the way your tires grip during wet road conditions. For that reason, it’s best to check your tire pressure at least every few days to ensure that your car handles the way it should.

By being more aware of your tire pressure during the fall season, you’ll help yourself avoid an accident that could cause an increase in your car insurance rates.

Daylight Savings Time Could Mean Driving with Less Visibility

With the exception of Arizona and Hawaii, most states observe Daylight Savings Time. For drivers, that means that there will likely be a change in visibility during your commute home from work.

Overall there is a higher percentage of automobile accidents during the spring and fall season across the nation. Spring & Fall is over 25 percent.

If you return home after 5 pm, you’ll be driving home in darkness with limited visibility. Because there will likely be school-aged kids returning home from afterschool activities around this time, it is best to be extra cautious when driving home to avoid any sort of danger or risks on the road.

And How Can This Help Keep My Auto Insurance Rates Low?

While you may get home a little later, you’ll stay accident-free, and thus, keep your car insurance rates at their current low level.

Shaun Fyffe

Shaun is an auto insurance expert with ten years of experience as a researcher and content writer. He's fluent in Spanish, teaching it plus AP computer science at Nyack Public Schools in New York. He has a B.A. in Spanish, B.S. in computer science from Florida State University, and an M.A. from SUNY New Paltz. He also is the lead editor for AutoInsureSavings.org.