Auto Windscreens reports an early peak this year in weather-related claims in the United Kingdom following storms Arwen and Barra, which brought heavy rain and snow to the region.
“We usually see the most weather-related claims between mid-January and March,” Auto Windscreen managing director James MacBeth says in a company statement. “At this time of year, usually only 5-6% would be a direct result of the weather, but at the moment, it’s 15-16%. It’s rare for us to have these kinds of figures before Christmas.”
The highest proportion of weather-related glass claims has been in the North East, Scotland and North West of England. Sunderland saw 57.6% of weather-related claims, Tweeddale reported 53.5% and 52.4% in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
In the company statement, Auto Windscreens advises drivers to exercise extra vigilance about cracks and chips in windscreens during the winter, which plummeting temperatures, snow and ice can exacerbate. MacBeth recommends windscreen covers to protect against frost this winter. “It’s really important to get chips fixed as soon as you spot them – they’re more likely to turn into a crack during cold conditions,” MacBeth says. He adds a reminder to drivers never to try to melt ice or snow on screens with boiling water because it can crack or even shatter the glass. “Instead, give yourself some extra time to clear any snow with a soft brush and use your car heaters and a good quality de-icer or scraper to clear the whole screen.”
“Finally, always take it easy in icy conditions and give cars around you plenty of space,” MacBeth says in the statement.
Auto Windscreens, part of the Markerstudy Group of Companies, is based in Chesterfield, England, with service centres and mobile units across the United Kingdom to provide windscreen repair and replacement.
